The Year of Tony Bennett

An Appreciation of the Art and Music of Tony Bennett

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Song of the Day: How Insensitive

The song of the day for Monday, July 17, 2017 is “How Insensitive.”

About This Song

Written in 1963 by Antonio Carlos Jobim, Jobim based this composition on Chopin’s “Prelude No. 4.” The original Portuguese lyrics were written by Vinicius de Moraes; Norman Gimbel wrote the English lyrics. This song has been widely recorded, including a very fine early recording with Jobim and Stan Getz for their 1963 album Jazz Samba Encore, Astrud Gilberto and João Gilberto recording.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “How Insensitive” in 1965 for his album If I Ruled The World: Songs for the Jet Set, which features a photograph of Rio de Janeiro on its cover. The arrangement was done by Don Costa.

How Insensitive

Tony Bennett · If I Ruled The World: Songs For The Jet Set · Song · 1965


“How Insensitive,” as well as If I Ruled The World: Songs for the Jet Set, is available from iTunes.

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Song of the Day: Quiet Nights of Quiet Stars (Corcovado)

The song of the day for Tuesday, January 17, 2017 is “Quiet Nights of Quiet Stars.”

About This Song

Today’s song, “Quiet Nights Of Quiet Stars,” was written in 1960 by Antonio Carlos Jobim, with English lyrics by Gene Lees. Known in the original Portuguese as “Corcovado,” this is one the great early bossa nova songs. The song has a serene quiet feeling and the English title fits the mood of the song perfectly. Both Stan Getz and Miles Davis recorded jazz versions of “Quiet Nights.”

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “Quiet Nights Of Quiet Stars” in 1962 for his album I Wanna Be Around. Marty Manning did the arrangement.

Quiet Nights of Quiet Stars (Corcovado)

Listen to Quiet Nights of Quiet Stars (Corcovado) on Spotify. Song · Tony Bennett · 1963


“Quiet Nights of Quiet Stars,” as well as I Wanna Be Around, is available from iTunes.

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Song of the Day: How Insensitive

The song of the day for Tuesday, August 16, 2016 is “How Insensitive.”

About This Song

Written in 1963, Antonio Carlos Jobim based “How Insensitive” on Chopin’s “Prelude No. 4.” This song has been widely recorded, including a very fine early recording with Jobim and Stan Getz for their 1963 album Jazz Samba Encore, Astrud Gilberto and João Gilberto recording. The English lyrics are by Norman Gimbel.

About This Version

I couldn’t let another day of the Rio Olympics go by without paying homage to the music of Antonio Carlos Jobim. Today’s song was recorded by Tony Bennett in 1965 for his wonderful album If I Ruled the World: Songs for the Jet Set. The arrangement is by Don Costa.

How Insensitive

Tony Bennett · If I Ruled The World: Songs For The Jet Set · Song · 1965


“How Insensitive,” as well as If I Ruled The World: Songs for the Jet Set, is available from iTunes.

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Song of the Day: Wave

The song of the day for Thursday, October 1, 2015 is “Wave.”

About This Song

“Wave,” or “Vou Te Contar” in the original Portuguese, written in 1967, is a classic bossa nova song by Antonio Carlos Jobim. It’s one of Jobim’s loveliest songs.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “Wave” on August 13, 1970 and released it that same year on the album Tony Bennett’s Something. It was arranged and conducted by Peter Matz. The session included several Bennett favorites, including John Bunch, Milt Hinton and Al De Risi.

Wave

Listen to Wave on Spotify. Song · Tony Bennett · 1970


“Wave,” as well as Tony Bennett’s Something, is available from iTunes.

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Song of the Day: How Insensitive

The song of the day for Wednesday, February 5, 2015 is “How Insensitive.”

About This Song

“How Insensitive” (known as “Insensatez” in the original Portuguese) was written in 1963 by Antonio Carlos Jobim, with the Portuguese lyrics by Vinicius de Moraes. Norman Gimbel wrote the English lyrics. The melody was based on Frédéric Chopin’s Prelude No.4. Interestingly, “insensatez” in Portuguese is typically translated as folly or absurdity.

This song has been widely recorded, including a very fine early recording with Jobim and Stan Getz for their 1963 album Jazz Samba Encore and the Astrud Gilberto and João Gilberto recording. American singers include Tony Bennett, Ella Fitzgerald, Doris Day, Diana Krall and many, many more.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “How Insensitive” in 1965. It is the third song on the album, following “Fly Me To The Moon” Arranged by Don Costa, the recording features the Ralph Sharon Trio, with Hal Gaylord on bass and Billy Exiner on drums) and also features Al Cohn on tenor sax. It’s a perfect bossa nova song.

How Insensitive

Tony Bennett · If I Ruled The World: Songs For The Jet Set · Song · 1965


“How Insensitive,” as well as If I Ruled The World: Songs for the Jet Set, is available from iTunes.