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The Year of Tony Bennett

An Appreciation of the Art and Music of Tony Bennett

February 21, 2023 By Suzanne Leave a Comment

Song of the Day: Body and Soul

The song of the day for Wednesday, February 22, 2203, is “Body and Soul.”

About This Song

“Body and Soul” was written in 1930 by Johnny Green, with lyrics by Edward Heyman, Robert Sour, and Frank Eyton.

Ted Gioia, in his book The Jazz Standards, says that Body and Soul “is the granddaddy of jazz ballads, the quintessential torch song, and the ultimate measuring rod for tenor sax players of all generations. Even in the new millennium, this 1930 composition continues to serve as the cornerstone of the repertoire.”

Louis Armstrong recorded the song first, followed in the 1930s by recordings from primarily white society bands, such as those led by Paul Whiteman. That said, some early recordings by jazz artists including Benny Goodman and especially Art Tatum started to cement this song as a serious jazz standard (in fact, it’s rated #1 on the jazzstandards.com website). However, the Coleman Hawkins recording from 1939 is widely acknowledged to have made the song a true jazz standard. The Hawkins recording was followed by great jazz recordings by Charlie Parker, John Coltrane, Charles Mingus, Thelonious Monk, Art Pepper, Dave Brubeck, and many more. Fine vocal recordings include those by Billie Holiday and Tony Bennett.

About This Version

Tony Bennett and Amy Winehouse recorded “Body and Soul” in 2011 for Duets II. Jorge Calandrelli wrote the arrangement.

This recording won the 2012 Grammy Award for Best Pop Duo/Groupo Performance. It was also Winehouse’s last recording, made just weeks before her death on July 23, 2011.

“Body and Soul,” as well as Duets II is available on Apple Music.

Here’s the video with Tony and Amy:

Filed Under: Song of the Day Tagged With: Amy Winehouse, Edward Heyman, Frank Eyton, Johnny Green, Jorge Calandrelli, Robert Sour, Tony Bennett

September 13, 2022 By Suzanne Leave a Comment

Song of the Day: Body and Soul

The song of the day for Wednesday, September 14, 2022, is “Body and Soul.”

About Today

The Year of Tony Bennett remembers Amy Winehouse on the anniversary of her birth, September 14, 1983.

About This Song

“Body and Soul” was written in 1930 by Johnny Green with lyrics by Edward Heyman, Robert Sour, and Frank Eyton.

Ted Gioia, in his book The Jazz Standards, says that Body and Soul “is the granddaddy of jazz ballads, the quintessential torch song, and the ultimate measuring rod for tenor sax players of all generations. Even in the new millennium, this 1930 composition continues to serve as the cornerstone of the repertoire.” Louis Armstrong recorded the song first, followed in the 1930s by recordings from primarily white society bands, such as those led by Paul Whiteman. That said, some early recordings by jazz artists including Benny Goodman and especially Art Tatum started to cement this song as a serious jazz standard (in fact, it’s rated #1 on the jazzstandards.com website). However, the Coleman Hawkins recording from 1939 is widely acknowledged to have made the song a true jazz standard. The Hawkins recording was followed by great jazz recordings by Charlie Parker, John Coltrane, Charles Mingus, Thelonious Monk, Art Pepper, Dave Brubeck, and many more. Fine vocal recordings include those by Billie Holiday and Tony Bennett.

About This Version

Tony Bennett and Amy Winehouse recorded “Body and Soul” in 2011 for the album Duets II. The arrangement was written by Jorge Calendrelli. It was Amy’s last recording; she died on July 23, 2011.

“Body and Soul,” as well as Duets II is available on Apple Music.

Here’s the video from the recording session.

Filed Under: Song of the Day Tagged With: Amy Winehouse, Duets II, Edward Heyman, Frank Eyton, Johnny Green, Jorge Calendrelli, Robert Sour, Tony Bennett

September 13, 2020 By Suzanne Leave a Comment

Song of the Day: Body and Soul

The song of the day for Monday, September 14, 2020, is “Body and Soul.”

About Today

We are remembering the late Amy Winehouse, who was born on September 14, 1983, and died on July 23, 2011, at the age of 27. Her duet with Tony Bennett of “Body and Soul” was her last recording.

About This Song

“Body and Soul” was written in 1930 by Johnny Green, with lyrics by Edward Heyman, Robert Sour, and Frank Eyton. Ted Gioia, in his book The Jazz Standards, says that ‘Body and Soul’ “is the granddaddy of jazz ballads, the quintessential torch song, and the ultimate measuring rod for tenor sax players of all generations. Even in the new millennium, this 1930 composition continues to serve as the cornerstone of the repertoire.” Louis Armstrong recorded the song first, followed in the 1930s by recordings from primarily white society bands, such as those led by Paul Whiteman. That said, some early recordings by jazz artists including Benny Goodman and especially Art Tatum started to cement this song as a serious jazz standard (in fact, it’s rated #1 on the jazzstandards.com website). However, the Coleman Hawkins recording from 1939 is widely acknowledged to have made the song a true jazz standard. The Hawkins recording was followed by great jazz recordings by Charlie Parker, John Coltrane, Charles Mingus, Thelonious Monk, Art Pepper, Dave Brubeck, and many more. Fine vocal recordings include those by Billie Holiday and Tony Bennett.

About This Version

Tony Bennett and Amy Winehouse recorded “Body and Soul” in March 2011 for the album Duets II. The album won the 2012 Grammy Award for Best Traditional Pop Album. This recording of “Body and Soul” won the 2012 Grammy Award for best Best Pop Duo/Group Performance.

“Body and Soul,” as well as Duets II, is available from Apple Music.

Here is the video made of their recording session.

Tony Bennett, Amy Winehouse - Body and Soul (from Duets II: The Great Performances)

No Description

Filed Under: Song of the Day Tagged With: 2012 Grammy Awards, Amy Winehouse, Duets II, Edward Heyman, Frank Eyton, Johnny Green, Robert Sour

September 13, 2019 By Suzanne Leave a Comment

Song of the Day: Body and Soul

The song of the day for Saturday, September 14, 2019, is “Body and Soul.”

About Today

The late Amy Jade Winehouse was born on September 14, 1983. She died on July 23, 2011, from alcohol poisoning. Her family set up the Amy Winehouse Foundation to help young people combat addiction to drugs and alcohol.

About This Song

“Body and Soul” was written in 1930, with music by Johnny Green and lyrics by Edward Heyman, Robert Sour, and Frank Eyton.

Ted Gioia, in his book The Jazz Standards, says that “Body and Soul” “is the granddaddy of jazz ballads, the quintessential torch song, and the ultimate measuring rod for tenor sax players of all generations. Even in the new millennium, this 1930 composition continues to serve as the cornerstone of the repertoire.” Louis Armstrong recorded the song first, followed in the 1930s by recordings from primarily white society bands, such as those led by Paul Whiteman.

That said, some early recordings by jazz artists including Benny Goodman and especially Art Tatum started to cement this song as a serious jazz standard (in fact, it’s rated #1 on the jazzstandards.com website). However, the Coleman Hawkins recording from 1939 is widely acknowledged to have made the song a true jazz standard. The Hawkins recording was followed by great jazz recordings by Charlie Parker, John Coltrane, Charles Mingus, Thelonious Monk, Art Pepper, Dave Brubeck and many more. Fine vocal recordings include those by Billie Holiday and Tony Bennett.

About This Version

Tony Bennett and Amy Winehouse recorded “Body and Soul” in March 2011 for the album Duets II. It was her last recording. Not only did Duets II win the Grammy Award for Best Traditional Pop Album, Bennett and Winehouse won the Grammy Award for Best Pop Duo or Group Performance.

“Body and Soul,” as well as Duets II, is available from iTunes.

This video was made during the recording session in London for “Body and Soul”

Tony Bennett, Amy Winehouse - Body and Soul (from Duets II: The Great Performances)

No Description

Filed Under: Song of the Day Tagged With: Amy Winehouse, Amy Winehouse birthday, Duets II, Edward Heyman, Frank Eyton, Johnny Green, Robert Sour, The Amy Winehouse Foundation, Tony Bennett

June 29, 2019 By Suzanne Leave a Comment

Playlist of the Week: Tony Sings With the Ladies, Part 1

The playlist of the week of June 30, 2019, is Tony Sings With the Ladies, Part 1.

Tony Sings With the Ladies, Part 1

This week’s playlist features some of Tony’s duets with female singers.

“Lullaby of Broadway” with the Dixie Chicks, from Duets: An American Classic

“I’m Confessin’ (That I Love You)” with k.d. lang, from A Wonderful World

“Body and Soul” with Amy Winehouse, from Duets II

“They Can’t Take That Away From Me” with Diana Krall, from Love Is Here To Stay

“But Beautiful” with Lady Gaga, from Cheek to Cheek

“Stormy Weather” with Natalie Cole, from Playin’ With My Friends

“Who Can I Turn To (When Nobody Needs Me)” with Queen Latifah, from Duets II

“I Gotta Right To Sing The Blues” with Bonnie Raitt, from Playin’ With My Friends

“Anything Goes+ with Lady Gaga, from Cheek to Cheek

Filed Under: Playlist of the Week Tagged With: A Wonderful World, Amy Winehouse, Anything Goes, Body and Soul, Bonnie Raitt, But Beautiful, Cheek to Cheek, Diana Krall, Dixie Chicks, Duets II, Duets: An American Classic, I Gotta Right To Sing The Blues, I'm Confessin' (That I Love You), k d lang, Lady Gaga, Lullaby of Broadway, Natalie Cole, Playin' With My Friends, Queen Latifah, Stormy Weather, They Can't Take That Away From Me, Who Can I Turn To

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