The Year of Tony Bennett

An Appreciation of the Art and Music of Tony Bennett

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Song of the Day: Poor Butterfly

The song of the day for Tuesday, February 23, 2021, is “Poor Butterfly.”

About This Song

“Poor Butterfly” was written in 1916 by Raymond Hubbell and John Golden. The song was inspired by Giacomo Puccini’s opera, Madame Butterfly; the verse references the Puccini melody briefly.The song was written for a 1916 Broadway show called The Big Show, where it was introduced by Sophie Bernard.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded this version of “Poor Butterfly” for his 1960 album Alone Together. Frank DeVol wrote the arrangement and conducted the orchestra.

Poor Butterfly

Listen to Poor Butterfly on Spotify. Tony Bennett · Song · 1961.

“Poor Butterfly,” as well as Alone Together, is available from Apple Music.

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Song of the Day: Out Of This World

The song of the day for Thursday, February 13, 2020, is “Out Of This World.”

About This Song

“Out Of This World” was written by Harold Arlen and Johnny Mercer for the 1945 movie of the same name. Out Of This World starred Eddie Bracken. However, Bing Crosby dubbed the vocals for Bracken and introduced the song. Alec Wilder was a fan of this song, praising its ethereal quality and the excellent lyrics by Mercer.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “Out Of This World” in 1960 for the album Alone Together. Frank DeVol arranged and conducted the album.

“Out Of This World,” as well as Alone Together, is available from iTunes.

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Song of the Day: How Long Has This Been Going On

The song of the day for Monday, September 26, 2016 is “How Long Has This Been Going On.” It also the anniversary of the birth of George Gershwin who was born on September 26, 1898. I’d say it’s been going on for 118 years now and will keep going on for many years.

About This Song

“How Long Has This Been Going On” was written for the 1928 musical Funny Face (originally titled Smarty) by George and Ira Gershwin. However, it was cut from the production and replaced with “He Loves and She Loves.” The song was used the following year for Rosalie, reportedly because producer Florenz Zeigfeld was quite fond of the number. And why not … it’s a wonderful song.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “How Long Has This Been Going On” in 1960 for his album Alone Together. The album was arranged and conducted by Frank DeVol.

How Long Has This Been Going On?

Listen to How Long Has This Been Going On? on Spotify. Tony Bennett · Song · 1961.


“How Long Has This Been Going On,” as well as Alone Together, is available from iTunes.

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Song of the Day: Sophisticated Lady

The song of the day for Sunday, November 8, 2015 is “Sophisticated Lady.”

About This Song

Duke Ellington wrote “Sophisticated Lady” in 1932 as an instrumental. Lyrics were added later by Mitchell Parish. Ellington is said to have been inspired to write this song by two of his grade school teachers, who toured Europe in the summers after teaching all year. “To me that spelled sophistication.”

“Sophisticated Lady” was first recorded in 1933 on the flip side with Harold Arlen’s “Stormy Weather.” It is, of course, one of Ellington’s most popular and often-played songs. In addition to numerous recordings by Ellington over the years, the song has been recorded by Art Tatum, Anita O’Day, Billie Holiday, Billy Eckstine, Johnny Hodges, Sarah Vaughan, and Glenn Miller.

About These Versions

Today we feature three different versions of “Sophisticated Lady,” from 1960, 1999 and 2014. Mr. Bennett also recorded this song in 1973 while on the MGM/Verve label, but that version is not available on either Spotify or iTunes.

We open with the 1960 version, arranged by Frank DeVol and released on Alone Together. In spite of this version including two of my least-favorite things (too many strings and a chorus), it’s a good arrangement and Bennett is in top voice.

Next is the 1999 version, which Mr. Bennett recorded for his centennial tribute album to Duke Ellington: “Bennett Sings Ellington: Hot & Cool.” This is a slower and more considered version than the 1960 recording. The beginning of the song, with just Gray Sargent’s guitar, is wonderful. And if that’s not special enough, Joel Smirnoff’s violin comes in. It just guitar, violin and Bennett’s voice. It’s delicate, sincere and touching, with just a hint of irony. For me, this is a perfect recording of this wonderful song.

We conclude with Bennett’s most recent (solo) recording from 2014 on Cheek to Cheek. This version features just piano with a very effective Marion Evans arrangement.

1960

Sophisticated Lady

Listen to Sophisticated Lady on Spotify. Tony Bennett · Song · 1961.


“Sophisticated Lady,” as well as Alone Together, is available from iTunes.

1999

Sophisticated Lady

Listen to Sophisticated Lady on Spotify. Tony Bennett · Song · 1999.


“Sophisticated Lady,” as well as Bennett Sings Ellington: Hot & Cool, is available from iTunes.

2014

Sophisticated Lady

Listen to Sophisticated Lady on Spotify. Tony Bennett · Song · 2014.


“Sophisticated Lady,” as well as Cheek to Cheek, is available from iTunes.

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Song of the Day: Out Of This World

The song of the day for Friday, March 13, 2015 is “Out Of This World.”

About This Song

This song was written by Harold Arlen and Johnny Mercer for the 1945 movie of the same name. Out Of This World starred Eddie Bracken; however Bing Crosby dubbed the vocals for Bracken and introduced the song. Alec Wilder was a fan of this song, praising its ethereal quality and the excellent lyrics by Mercer.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “Out Of This World” 1960 for his album Alone Together. It was arranged and conducted by Frank DeVol. It’s interesting to note that Bennett’s next album would be devoted entirely to the music of Harold Arlen: Tony Bennett Sings a String of Arlen.

Walk In The Country

Listen to Walk In The Country on Spotify. Tony Bennett · Song · 1961.


“Out Of This World,” as well as the album Alone Together, is available from iTunes.

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