The Year of Tony Bennett

An Appreciation of the Art and Music of Tony Bennett

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Song of the Day: Speak Low

The song of the day for Thursday, August 22, 2019, is “Speak Low.”

About This Song

“Speak Low” was written by Kurt Weill and Ogden Nash for the 1943 musical One Touch of Venus, where it was introduced by Mary Martin and Kenny Baker. In addition to several very fine recordings by Tony Bennett, “Speak Low” has been widely recorded by jazz and popular performers, including Ella Fitzgerald, Billie Holiday, and Lena Horne.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded this version of “Speak Low” in 1989 for the album Astoria: Portrait of the Artist, released in 1990. The very nice arrangement is by Jorge Calandrelli.

“Speak Low,” as well as Astoria: Portrait of the Artist, is available from iTunes.

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

The song of the day for Friday, July 12, 2019, is “The Folks That Live on the Hill.”

About This Song

“The Folks That Live on the Hill” was written in 1937 by Jerome Kern and Oscar Hammerstein. This song was written for the 1937 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.

We’ve chosen this song today to honor the great Oscar Hammerstein, who was born as Oscar Greeley Clendenning Ritter von Hammerstein II on July 12, 1895; he died in 1960. His career as a lyricist took off when he worked with Jerome Kern in 1928 with their collaboration on Show Boat. Many years later, Hammerstein’s wife Dorothy bristled when she heard a remark that Jerome Kern had written “Ol’ Man River.” “Indeed not,” she retorted. “Jerome Kern wrote ‘dum, dum, dum-dum.’ My husband wrote ‘Ol’ Man River’.”

After the death of Larry Hart, Hammerstein teamed up with Richard Rodgers for a string of musicals that defined mid-century America, including Oklahoma, Carousel, The King and I, and The Sound of Music. In addition to the lyrics for these musicals, Hammerstein also wrote the book. In addition to this, he was a mentor to a young high school student named Stephen Sondheim.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “The Folks That Live on the Hill” for his 1990 autobiographical album Astoria: Portrait of the Artist. Jorge Callandrelli wrote the arrangement and conducted the orchestra.

The Folks That Live On The Hill

The Folks That Live On The Hill, a song by Tony Bennett on Spotify

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

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

The song of the day for Wednesday, May 1, 2019, is “The Folks That Live on the Hill.”

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. Bing Crosby recorded it that same year. Peggy Lee recorded it in 1957 for her album The Man I Love; it was 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 1990 autobiographical album Astoria: Portrait of the Artist. This album covers the years after Mr. Bennett returned from his tour of service in Europe for World War II as he was readjusting from the war and pursuing his dream to be a singer. I think it’s a remarkable album.

The Folks That Live On The Hill

The Folks That Live On The Hill, a song by Tony Bennett on Spotify

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

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Song of the Day: Body and Soul

The song of the day for Saturday, March 30, 2019, is “Body and Soul.”

About This Song

Today’s song, “Body and Soul,” was composed 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 This Version

Tony Bennett recorded today’s version of “Body and Soul” in 1989 for his autobiographical album Astoria: Portrait Of The Artist, released in 1990. Jorge Calendrelli did the arrangement.

Body and Soul

Body and Soul, a song by Tony Bennett on Spotify

“Body and Soul,” as well as Astoria: Portrait of the Artist, is available from iTunes.

About Today

Our video today is the filming of the recording session with Tony and Amy Winehouse of “Body and Soul” for Duets II. Made in March 2011, it was her last recording. She died from an alcohol overdose in July 2011.

The recording won the 2012 Grammy Award for Best Pop Duo/Group Performance.

Tony Bennett, Amy Winehouse – Body and Soul (from Duets II: The Great Performances)

Tony Bennett & Amy Winehouse’s official music video for ‘Body and Soul’. Click to listen to Tony Bennett on Spotify: http://smarturl.it/TonyBennettSpotify?IQid=TonyBBAS As featured on Duets II.

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Song of the Day: Boulevard of Broken Dreams

The song of the day for Sunday, January 6, 2019, is “Boulevard of Broken Dreams.”

About This Song

Harry Warren and Al Dubin wrote “Boulevard of Broken Dreams” in 1933 for the movie Moulin Rouge, where it was sung by Constance Bennett. Although numerous artists have recorded “Boulevard of Broken Dreams” (including Bing Crosby 1944), this song is strongly identified with Tony Bennett. In fact, his demo record of “Boulevard of Broken Dreams” was heard by Mitch Miller and got Bennett his first recording contract with Columbia Records.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded this version of “Boulevard of Broken Dreams” for his 1990 album Astoria: Portrait of the Artist. Jorge Calendrelli wrote the arrangement.

The Boulevard of Broken Dreams

The Boulevard of Broken Dreams, a song by Tony Bennett on Spotify

“Boulevard of Broken Dreams,” as well as Astoria: Portrait of the Artist, is available from iTunes.

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