The song of the day for Saturday, March 30, 2019, is “Body and Soul.”
About This Song
Today’s song, “Body and Soul,” was composed 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 recorded today’s version of “Body and Soul” in 1989 for his autobiographical album Astoria: Portrait Of The Artist, released in 1990. Jorge Calendrelli did the arrangement.
Body and Soul
Body and Soul, a song by Tony Bennett on Spotify
“Body and Soul,” as well as Astoria: Portrait of the Artist, is available from iTunes.
About Today
Our video today is the filming of the recording session with Tony and Amy Winehouse of “Body and Soul” for Duets II. Made in March 2011, it was her last recording. She died from an alcohol overdose in July 2011.
The recording won the 2012 Grammy Award for Best Pop Duo/Group Performance.
Tony Bennett, Amy Winehouse – Body and Soul (from Duets II: The Great Performances)
Tony Bennett & Amy Winehouse’s official music video for ‘Body and Soul’. Click to listen to Tony Bennett on Spotify: http://smarturl.it/TonyBennettSpotify?IQid=TonyBBAS As featured on Duets II.