The Year of Tony Bennett

An Appreciation of the Art and Music of Tony Bennett

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Song of the Day: Willow Weep For Me

The song of the day for Tuesday, April 5, 2022, is “Willow Weep For Me.”

About This Song

“Willow Weep For Me” was written in 1932 by a Radcliffe student named Ann Ronell. She encountered some initial trouble in getting the song published, but once Irving Berlin decided to publish the song, it began to take off. The first recording was made by Ted Fio Rito, with vocals by Muzzy Marcellino. The song became a jazz standard and has been recorded by many fine jazz artists, including Art Tatum, Dinah Washington, Stan Kenton, Thelonius Monk, Ella Fitzgerald, and Billie Holiday.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “Willow Weep For Me” in 1996 for Tony Bennett On Holiday. Jorge Calandrelli wrote the arrangement.

“Willow Weep For Me,” as well as Tony Bennett On Holiday is available on Apple Music.

Here’s Lady Day’s original recording:

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Song of the Day: Willow Weep For Me

The song of the day for Wednesday, July 22, 2020, is “Willow Weep For Me.”

About This Song

“Willow Weep For Me” was written in 1932 by a Radcliffe student named Ann Ronell. She encountered some initial trouble in getting the song published, but once Irving Berlin decided to publish the song, it began to take off. The first recording was made by Ted Fio Rito, with vocals by Muzzy Marcellino. The song became a jazz standard and has been recorded by many fine jazz artists, including Art Tatum, Dinah Washington, Stan Kenton, Thelonius Monk, Ella Fitzgerald, and Billie Holiday.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “Willow Weep For Me” in 1996 for his 1997 album Tony Bennett On Holiday, an album in tribute to Billie Holiday.

“Willow Weep For Me,” as well as Tony Bennett On Holiday, is available from Apple Music.

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Song of the Day: Willow Weep For Me

The song of the day for Wednesday, February 5, 2020, is “Willow Weep For Me.”

About This Song

“Willow Weep For Me” was written in 1932 by a Radcliffe student named Ann Ronell. She encountered some initial trouble in getting the song published, but once Irving Berlin heard and decided to publish the song, it began to take off. The first recording was made by Ted Fio Rito, with vocals by Muzzy Marcellino. The song became a jazz standard and has been recorded by many fine jazz artists, including Art Tatum, Dinah Washington, Stan Kenton, Thelonius Monk, Ella Fitzgerald, and Billie Holiday.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “Willow Weep For Me” in 1996 for his album dedicated to Billie Holiday: Tony Bennett On Holiday. The album was released on February 4, 1997. It won the 1998 Grammy Award for Best Traditional Pop Vocal Performance.

“Willow Weep For Me,” as well as Tony Bennett On Holiday, is available from iTunes.

And here’s Lady Day’s recording of our song for today.

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Song of the Day: Willow Weep For Me

The song of the day for Wednesday, September 21, 2016 is “Willow Weep For Me.”

About This Song

“Willow Weep For Me” was written by a Radcliffe student named Ann Ronell in 1932. She encountered some initial trouble in getting the song published, but once Irving Berlin decided to publish the song, it began to take off. The first recording was made by Ted Fio Rito, with vocals by Muzzy Marcellino. The song became a jazz standard and has been recorded by many fine jazz artists, including Art Tatum, Dinah Washington, Stan Kenton, Thelonius Monk, Ella Fitzgerald and Billie Holiday.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “Willow For Me” in 1996 for his tribute album to Billie Holiday: Tony Bennett On Holiday.

https://open.spotify.com/track/65fCPl7cBpk5J8pcvjMTaabr%20/https://open.spotify.com/track/6R5zx6937yNXi8jqasrT9D

“Willow Weep For Me,” as well as Tony Bennett On Holiday, is available from iTunes.

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Song of the Day: Willow Weep For Me

The song of the day for Monday, April 13, 2015 is “Willow Weep For Me.”

About This Song

“Willow Weep For Me” was written in 1932 by a Radcliffe student named Ann Ronell. She encountered some initial trouble in getting the song published, but once Irving Berlin decided to publish the song, it began to take off. The first recording was made by Ted Fio Rito, with vocals by Muzzy Marcellino. The song became a jazz standard and has been recorded by many fine jazz artists, including Art Tatum, Dinah Washington, Stan Kenton, Thelonius Monk, Ella Fitzgerald and Billie Holiday.

About This Version

Today’s song, “Willow Weep For Me,” is the seventh song on Tony Bennett On Holiday. This arrangement, while featuring piano heavily, also includes a really beautiful string accompaniment, arranged by Jorge Calandrelli. Tony Bennett sings it so quietly and lightly … this version a thing of real and honest beauty.

Willow Weep For Me

Tony Bennett · Tony Bennett On Holiday: A Tribute To Billie Holiday · Song · 1997


“Willow Weep For Me,” as well as Tony Bennett On Holiday, is available from iTunes.

About Billie Holiday’s Version

Lady Day recorded this song several times, including her live performance at Newport Jazz in 1957. There are several recorded live performances dating back to 1953 as well. The first studio recording was made in 1954 and released on the Clef label and was also used on her last album Lady Sings The Blues, released in 1957. This is the version I’m presenting today.

Willow Weep For Me

Listen to Willow Weep For Me on Spotify. Song · Billie Holiday · 1956

“Willow Weep For Me,” as well as Lady Sings The Blues, is available from iTunes.