The Year of Tony Bennett

An Appreciation of the Art and Music of Tony Bennett

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Song of the Day: Pennies From Heaven

The song of the day for Saturday, March 23, 2024, is “Pennies From Heaven.”

About Today

In Person! with Count Basie and His Orchestra was released sixty-five years ago today on March 23, 1959. It was planned as a live album and was recorded in a club with the Count Basie Orchestra. However, the tape from the concert had poor quality and couldn’t be used. They re-recorded all of the songs in the studio and, oddly, released it with the original planned title, In Person!.

About This Song

“Pennies From Heaven” was written in 1936 by Arthur Johnston and Johnny Burke. It was introduced by Bing Crosby in the 1936 movie of the same name. It’s one of the classic Great Depression songs.

About This Version

Tony Bennett, with Count Basie and His Orchestra, recorded “Pennies From Heaven” on December 30, 1958, for In Person!, released on March 23, 1959. Ralph Sharon wrote the arrangement.

“Pennies From Heaven,” as well as In Person is available on Apple Music.

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Song of the Day: Pennies From Heaven

The song of the day for Thursday, July 16, 2015 is “Pennies From Heaven.”

About This Song

“Pennies From Heaven” was written in 1936 by Arthur Johnson and Johnny Burke. This song was introduced by Bing Crosby in the 1936 film of the same name. It’s one of the classic Great Depression songs.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded this song in 1958 with Count Basie and His Orchestra for their second album, In Person!

Pennies from Heaven

Tony Bennett & Count Basie · The Complete Recordings (Bonus Track Version) · Song · 2013


“Pennies From Heaven,” as well as In Person!, is available from iTunes.

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Song of the Day: My Old Flame

The song of the day for Monday, April 20, 2015 is “My Old Flame.”

About This Song

“My Old Flame” was written in 1934 by Arthur Johnson (music) and Sam Coslow (lyrics) for the movie Belle of the Nineties, which starred Mae West. Mae West was an ardent Duke Ellington fan and insisted that he and his orchestra be hired to do the film and accompany her when she sang it.

About This Version

Today’s song, “My Old Flame,” is the 11th song from Tony Bennett On Holiday. It features a very nice arrangement with Ralph Sharon backed by Jorge Calandrelli’s orchestra. It starts quite nicely with Bennett singing a cappella, which is always a joy to hear. Even though the tempo is slow, it’s more wistful than sad, and quite lovely.

My Old Flame

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


“My Old Flame,” as well as Tony Bennett On Holiday, is available from iTunes.

About Billie Holiday’s Version

Billie Holiday recorded four versions of “My Old Flame” on March 25, 1944 at the WOR recording studios in New York. All four of these versions would up being released at some point, both as singles on the Commodore label and in various collections. Today’s version is MX A4743-1 and was originally released on Commodore 585.

My Old Flame

Listen to My Old Flame on Spotify. Song · Billie Holiday · 2009

“My Old Flame,” as well as The Complete Commodore and Decca Masters, is available from iTunes.