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The Year of Tony Bennett

An Appreciation of the Art and Music of Tony Bennett

March 29, 2019 By Suzanne Leave a Comment

Song of the Day: Body and Soul

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.

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

April 20, 2018 By Suzanne Leave a Comment

Song of the Day: Body and Soul

The song of the day for Saturday, April 21, 2018 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 Billy Eckstine.

About This Version

Tony Bennett sang “Body and Soul” on his remarkable live performance in 1994 on the series MTV Unplugged. The album of the performance, MTV Unplugged, not only won 1995 Grammy Award for Best Traditional Pop Vocal Performance but also the coveted Album of the Year.

Body and Soul - Live Version

Listen to Body and Soul - Live Version on Spotify. Tony Bennett · Song · 1994.


“Body and Soul,” as well as MTV Unplugged, is available from iTunes.

About Today

Our video today features the recording of Tony and Amy Winehouse recording “Body and Soul” in 2014 for Duets II, which was the last recording Amy Winehouse made.

Filed Under: Song of the Day Tagged With: Amy Winehouse, Duets II, Edward Heyman, Frank Eyton, MTV Unplugged, Robert Sour, Tony Bennett

September 8, 2017 By Suzanne Leave a Comment

Song of the Day: Body and Soul

The song of the day for Saturday, September 9, 2017 is “Body and Soul.”

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

Today I’m featuring the beautiful (and Grammy-winning) 2011 version from Duets II with Amy Winehouse.

Body and Soul

Listen to Body and Soul on Spotify. Tony Bennett, Amy Winehouse · Song · 2011.


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

About Today

Speaking of Grammy Awards, Tony Bennett’s 1994 MTV Unplugged won the coveted Grammy for Album of the Year. Here’s Mr. Bennett singing “Body and Soul” from that concert, with Ralph Sharon on piano, Doug Richeson on bass and Clayton Cameron on drums.

Filed Under: Song of the Day Tagged With: Amy Winehouse, Clayton Cameron, Doug Richeson, Edward Heyman, Frank Eyton, Johnny Green, Ralph Sharon, Robert Sour, Tony Bennett

May 12, 2017 By Suzanne Leave a Comment

Song of the Day: Body and Soul

The song of the day for Saturday, May 13, 2015 is “Body and Soul.”

About This Song

Today’s 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

Today, we’re featuring Mr. Bennett’s first recording of “Body and Soul,” recorded in 1989 for his autobiographical album Astoria: Portrait of the Artist, released in 1990. The arrangement is by Jorge Calandrelli.

Body and Soul

Listen to Body and Soul on Spotify. Tony Bennett · Song · 1990.


“Body and Soul,” as well as Astoria: Portrait of the Artist, is available from iTunes.

About Today

It’s YouTube Saturday. This Saturday, I’m happy to present the video of the recording of “Body and Soul” with Amy Winehouse, recorded in 2011 for Duets II. This was her last recording; she passed away a few months later from alcohol poisoning. This recording won the Grammy Award for Best Pop Duo/Group Performance; the album Duets II won the Grammy for Best Traditional Pop Vocal Album.

Filed Under: Song of the Day Tagged With: Amy Winehouse, Astoria: Portrait of the Artist, Duets II, Edward Heyman, Frank Eyton, Jorge Calandrelli, Robert Sour, Tony Bennett

November 25, 2016 By Suzanne Leave a Comment

Song of the Day: Body and Soul

The song of the day for Saturday, November 26, 2016 is “Body and Soul.”

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 first recorded “Body and Soul” in 1989 for the album Astoria: Portrait of the Artist, which was released in 1990. The arrangement is by Jorge Calandrelli.

Body and Soul

Listen to Body and Soul on Spotify. Tony Bennett · Song · 1990.


“Body and Soul,” as well as Astoria: Portrait of the Artist, is available from iTunes.

About Today

For our traditional Saturday video, here are Tony Bennett and Amy Winehouse, recording “Body and Soul” in the studio. This recording won the Grammy Award for Best Pop Duo/Group Performance.

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, Astoria: Portrait of the Artist, Edward Heyman, Frank Eyton, Johnny Green, Jorge Calandrelli, Robert Sour

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