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The Year of Tony Bennett

An Appreciation of the Art and Music of Tony Bennett

September 13, 2016 By Suzanne Leave a Comment

Song of the Day: Body and Soul

The song of the day for Wednesday, September 14, 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

The Year of Tony Bennett remembers the late Amy Winehouse on anniversary of her birth on September 14, 1983 by presenting her duet of “Body and Soul” with Tony Bennett from Duets II. It was the last song she recorded. Amy died on July 23, 2011.

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.

Even though it’s not Saturday, I have the video of Tony and Amy recordings this song in London at Apple Studios.

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

November 6, 2015 By Suzanne Leave a Comment

Song of the Day: Body and Soul

The song of the day for Friday, November 6, 2015 is “Body and Soul.”

About This Song

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

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 Bennett.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “Body and Soul” with Amy Winehouse in 2011 for Duets II. It was her last recording; Amy died just a few weeks after making this recording, which won the Grammy Award for Best Pop Duo/Group Performance that year.

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

I know it’s not Saturday yet, but I’m going to give you a video anyway, just because it’s so good.

Filed Under: Song of the Day Tagged With: 2011, Amy Winehouse, Duets II, Edward Heyman, Frank Eyton, Johnny Green, Robert Sour

September 14, 2015 By Suzanne Leave a Comment

Remembering Amy Winehouse

The late Amy Winehouse was born on September 14, 1983 in London and died, tragically, on July 23, 2011. Her father, Mitch Winehouse, created The Amy Winehouse Foundation, which works to prevent the effects of drug and alcohol misuse on young people.

I’d like to remember her today with the video of “Body and Soul” from Duets II.

Filed Under: About His Collaborators Tagged With: Amy Winehouse, Body and Soul

September 6, 2015 By Suzanne Leave a Comment

Song of the Day: Body and Soul

The song of the day for Sunday, September 6, 2015 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 These Versions

Today we present three different versions of “Body and Soul.”

Bennett first recorded this song in 1989 for his album Astoria: Portrait of the Artist. It was arranged by Jorge Calendrelli.

His next recording was in 1994, live for the MTV Unplugged telecast and album, which won the Grammy Award for Album of the Year. It was arranged by Mr. Bennett and with Ralph Sharon, whose trio for album included Doug Richeson on bass and Clayton Cameron on drums.

The most recent recording is from 2011 with Amy Winehouse on Duets II, also arranged by Jorge Calendrelli. This recording won the Grammy for Best Pop Duo/Group Performance.

I think all three of these are very good, but I’m partial to the 1994 version from the MTV Unplugged. As I’ve said many times: there’s nothing on earth more wonderful than listening to Tony Bennett singing live.

About Today

We continue our new Sunday tradition of presenting songs that Tony Bennett has recorded multiple times over his career. This lets us compare the different versions on a number of levels, from the year recorded to the arranger.

1989

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.

1994

Body and Soul - Live at Sony Studios, New York City, NY - April 1994

Listen to Body and Soul - Live at Sony Studios, New York City, NY - April 1994 on Spotify. Tony Bennett · Song · 1994.


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

2011

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.

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

September 14, 2014 By Suzanne Leave a Comment

Song of the Day: Body and Soul

The song of the day for Sunday, September 14, 2014 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’s version is the 2011 duet of “Body and Soul” with Amy Winehouse. It was arranged and conducted by Jorge Calandrelli and recorded in London at Abbey Road Studios. This was the last song that Amy recorded; she died just a few weeks after their session. The recording won the Grammy award for Best Pop Duo/Group Performance.

About Today

Today would have been Amy Winehouse’s 31st birthday. She died from alcohol poisoning on July 23, 2011. Every time I listen to her music, I am filled with sadness over all the music she never got to make and gratitude for the music she did make.

For more information about Amy’s legacy, please visit amywinehouse.com. Her parents have created the Amy Winehouse Foundation to help combat the misuse of drugs and alcohol on young people. You can learn more about the foundation at amywinehousefoundation.org.

Body and Soul

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


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

And here’s the wonderful video of Tony and Amy recording “Body and Soul.”

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

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