The Year of Tony Bennett

An Appreciation of the Art and Music of Tony Bennett

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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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Song of the Day: With Plenty of Money and You

The song of the day for Thursday, July 5, 2018 is “With Plenty of Money and You.”

About This Song

“With Plenty of Money and You” was written by Harry Warren and Al Dubin for the movie Gold Diggers of 1937, starring Dick Powell and Joan Blondell and choreographed by Busby Berkeley. Interestingly, the score for the film was to have been written by Harold Arlen and Yip Harburg, but Berkeley didn’t like what they had written and brought in Warren and Dubin for this song and several other songs. Some Arlen and Harburg songs were used in the film as well.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “With Plenty of Money and You” in 1959 for his album with Count Basie and His Orchestra: Basie Swings/Bennett Sings.

With Plenty of Money and You - 1990 Remix / Remaster

Listen to With Plenty of Money and You - 1990 Remix / Remaster on Spotify. Count Basie · Song · 1959.


“With Plenty of Money and You,” as well as Basie Swings/Bennett Sings, is available from iTunes.

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Song of the Day: Are You Having Any Fun?

The song of the day for Saturday, June 30, 2018 is “Are You Having Any Fun?”.

About This Song

“Are You Havin’ Any Fun?” was written by Jack Yellen and Sammy Fain for the 1939 George White’s Scandals. George White produced these Broadway revues from 1919 to 1939. Stars introduced in his Scandals include Bert Lahr, Ethel Merman, Ray Bolger and The Three Stooges.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded this version of “Are You Having Any Fun?” with Count Basie and His Orchestra for the 1959 album Basie Swings, Bennett Sings. Ralph Sharon did the arrangement.

Life Is a Song (Let"s Sing It Together) - 1990 Remix / Remaster

Listen to Life Is a Song (Let"s Sing It Together) - 1990 Remix / Remaster on Spotify. Count Basie · Song · 1959.


“Are You Having Any Fun?” as well as Basie Swings, Bennett Sings, is available from iTunes.

About Today

Tony Bennett’s second recording of today’s song was made in 2006. It was a duet with Elvis Costello for Duets: An American Classic. We’re happy to present a nice video of the recording session. The band for this recording consists of Lee Musiker (piano), Gray Sargent (guitar), Paul Langosch (bass) and Harold Jones (drums).

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Song of the Day: After Supper

The song of the day for Tuesday, June 3, 2014 is “After Supper.”

About This Song

“After Supper” was written in 1958 by Neal Hefti, long-time trumpeter for the Count Basie Orchestra. He composed for films and television, including work on How To Murder Your Wife, Harlow and Barefoot in the Park. He also wrote the theme for the 1960s television program Batman. Which I can still sing, after all these years.

About This Version

“After Supper” is from the first of two albums on which Tony Bennett played with Count Basie and His Orchestra in 1959. It’s a great, sultry, jazzy tune.

http://open.spotify.com/track/54hZ8miM98g4zV4OgCRck7
“After Supper,” as well as the album Basie Swings /Bennett Sings, is available from iTunes.

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