The Year of Tony Bennett

An Appreciation of the Art and Music of Tony Bennett

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Song of the Day: The Folks That Live on the Hill

The song of the day for Thursday, November 26, 2020, is “The Folks That Live on the Hill.”

About Today

Happy Thanksgiving to all of our American readers.

About This Song

“The Folks That Live on the Hill” was written in 1937 by Jerome Kern and Oscar Hammerstein for the movie High, Wide, and Handsome, where it was introduced by Irene Dunne. Bing Crosby recorded it that same year. Peggy Lee recorded it in 1957 for her album The Man I Love, conducted by Frank Sinatra. Other recordings include those by Diana Krall, Jo Stafford, and Nina Simone.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “The Folks That Live on the Hill” in 1989 for his autobiographical album Astoria: Portrait of the Artist, released the following year. Jorge Calendrelli wrote the arrangement and conducted the orchestra.

The Folks That Live On The Hill

Listen to The Folks That Live On The Hill on Spotify. Song · Tony Bennett · 1990

“The Folks That Live on the Hill,” as well as Astoria: Portrait of the Artist, is available from Apple Music.

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Song of the Day: When Do the Bells Ring For Me?

The song of the day for Thursday, November 12, 2020, is “When Do the Bells Ring For Me?”.

About This Song

“When Do the Bells Ring For Me?” was written in 1989 by New York cabaret artist Charles DeForest especially for Tony Bennett to sing on Astoria: Portrait of the Artist. DeForest got his professional start as a singer for the Benny Goodman Orchestra but soon set out on his own as a performer in piano bars and cabarets in Manhattan. He won several awards for his cabaret work, including those from the Manhattan Association of Cabarets in 1994 and 1996 and the Mabel Mercer Foundation in 1992. “When Do The Bells Ring For Me?” became his signature song. Charles DeForest died in 1992.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “When Do the Bells Ring For Me?” in 1989 for his autobiographical album Astoria: Portrait of the Artist.

When Do The Bells Ring For Me

Listen to When Do The Bells Ring For Me on Spotify. Song · Tony Bennett · 1990

“When Do the Bells Ring For Me?”, as well as Astoria: Portrait of the Artist, is available from Apple Music.

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Song of the Day: It’s Like Reaching For The Moon

The song of the day for Monday, June 29, 2020, is “It’s Like Reaching For The Moon.”

About This Song

“It’s Like Reaching For The Moon” was written by Al Sherman, Al Lewis, and Gerald Marquesee in 1936. It was first recorded by Billie Holiday with Teddy Wilson and His Orchestra in 1936 and was a hit for her. The song has also been recorded by Carmen McRae, Ella Fitzgerald, and Barbara Carroll.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “It’s Like Reaching For The Moon” in 1989 for his album Astoria: Portrait of the Artist, released in 1990. Jorge Calandrelli did the arrangement.

“It’s Like Reaching For The Moon,” as well as Astoria: Portrait of the Artist, is available from Apple Music.

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Song of the Day: The Folks That Live on the Hill

The song of the day for Wednesday, January 15, 2020, is “The Folks That Live on the Hill.”

About This Song

“The Folks That Live on the Hill” was written by Jerome Kern and Oscar Hammerstein for the 1937 movie High, Wide, and Handsome, where it was introduced by Irene Dunne. Bing Crosby recorded the song that same year and Peggy Lee recorded it in 1957 for her album The Man I Love, conducted by Frank Sinatra. Other recordings include those by Diana Krall, Jo Stafford, and Nina Simone.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “The Folks That Live on the Hill” in 1989 for his album Astoria: Portrait of the Artist, which was released in 1990. Jorge Calandrelli arranged and conducted the album.

“The Folks That Live on the Hill,” as well as Astoria: Portrait of the Artist, is available from iTunes.

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Playlist of the Week: Tony Loves a Gershwin Tune

The playlist for the week of September 22, 2019, is Tony Loves a Gershwin Tune. This week we are celebrating the birth of the great George Gershwin, who was born on September 26, 1989 in Brooklyn. Working most often with his brother Ira Gershwin, Gershwin wrote many of the most beloved songs from the American Songbook.

Our playlist this weekend is bookended by the song “Fascinatin’ Rhythm.” The first is a demo Bennett recorded in 1949; the second is a duet with Diana Krall from their 2018 album Love Is Here To Stay.

All lyrics written by Ira Gershwin unless otherwise noted.

Fascinatin’ Rhythm from Rarities, Outtakes & Other Delights, Vol. 1
Strike Up the Band from Basie Swings, Tony Sings
I Got Rhythm from Love is Here to Stay, with Diana Krall
The Girl I Love from Astoria: Portrait of the Artist
Shall We Dance from Steppin’ Out
Who Cares? from Steppin’ Out
They Can’t Take That Away From Me from Steppin’ Out
He Loves and She Loves from Steppin’ Out
I’ve Got a Crush On You from Love is Here to Stay, with Diana Krall
Love is Here to Stay from Love is Here to Stay, with Diana Krall
Do It Again (lyrics by Buddy DeSylva) from Love is Here to Stay, with Diana Krall
Nice Work If You Can Get It from Love is Here to Stay, with Diana Krall
Somebody Loves Me (lyrics by Buddy DeSylva and Ballard MacDonald) from Love is Here to Stay, with Diana Krall
Fascinating Rhythm from Love is Here to Stay, with Diana Krall

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