Tag: Basie/Bennett | The Year of Tony Bennett

July 9, 2021 By Suzanne Leave a Comment

Legend!

I started collecting jazz and classical vinyl LPs last year. The album that I played today was amazing! It’s a remastered version of the 1959 Basie/Bennett album, relabeled as Tony Bennett with Count Basie and His Orchestra: Legend, on heavy-weight gold vinyl!

I’ve listened to this album many, many times, but I think I really heard it today for the first time. Listening to Tony Bennett on vinyl from an analog taped recording was phenomenal. Not only did Tony sound just wonderful, but so did the Count Basie Orchestra.

Best treat that I’ve had in a long time.

Vinyl collectors can find this album on Amazon.

February 10, 2021 By Suzanne Leave a Comment

Song of the Day: Jeepers Creepers

The song of the day for Thursday, February 11, 2021, is “Jeepers Creepers.”

About This Song

“Jeepers Creepers” was written by Harry Warren and Johnny Mercer for the 1938 movie Going Places, which featured Louis Armstrong as a trumpet-playing horse trainer. It has been recorded by Bing Crosby and, of course, Louis Armstrong.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “Jeepers Creepers” in 1959 for his album with Count Basie and His Orchestra, Basie/Bennett. Ralph Sharon wrote the arrangement.

https://open.spotify.com/track/3ZrWSg01u6dfXiNnMjT3hv?si=P5NePWQJS-yKKwEqcF5K4Q

“Jeepers Creepers,” as well as Basie/Bennett, is available from Apple Music.

October 19, 2020 By Suzanne Leave a Comment

Song of the Day: Are You Havin’ Any Fun?

The song of the day for Tuesday, October 20, 2020, is “Are You Havin’ 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 “Are You Havin’ Any Fun?” in 1959 for his album with Count Basie and His Orchestra for the album Basie/Bennett. Tony tells this story from his autobiography The Good Life:

I didn’t meet Count Basie until our rehearsals began. We hit it off right away, as though we always knew and understood each other. At one point Basie turned to his band, pointed at me, and said, “Anything this man wants, he gets!” I was floored.

“Are You Havin’ Any Fun?,” as well as Basie/Bennett, is available from Apple Music.

September 28, 2019 By Suzanne Leave a Comment

Playlist of the Week: Tony Loves Judy and So Do We

The playlist for the week of September 29, 2019, is Tony Loves Judy and So Do We.

The founders of the Year of Tony Bennett saw the new film Judy last night, starring an absolutely amazing Renee Zellweger as Judy Garland. Both of us were moved to tears by Zellweger’s performance, and also from sadness over the challenges that Judy Garland, an immensely talented actress and singer, faced over her entire life, which ended much too soon.

Our playlist this week consists of a few of the songs that Judy Garland sang at her 1961 performance at Carnegie Hall and those same songs sung by Tony Bennett. There are also a couple of wonderful videos.

All of the Judy Garland recordings are from Judy Garland at Carnegie Hall.

Tony Bennett’s recordings are, in order, from Basie/Bennett, Tony Sings For Two, Together Again, and Tony Bennett Sings a String of Harold Arlen.

This clip is from Tony’s appearance on Judy Garland’s television program from 1963:

This clip is from a documentary on songwriters. It features Yip Harburg, who wrote the lyrics for “Over the Rainbow,” talking about his song:

August 31, 2019 By Suzanne Leave a Comment

Playlist of the Week: Tony Loves Jazz

The playlist for the week of September 1, 2019, is Tony Loves Jazz. I’ve picked some of his great jazz recordings, presented in chronological order, beginning with Cloud 7 and ending with Love is Here to Stay. We got a lot of songs, but as it’s a holiday weekend in the US, I hope you can find some time to give these a listen.

Did I miss one your favorites? Leave a comment and I promise to make it a song of the day within two weeks.

Tony Loves Jazz
Listen on Spotify: It's the season of jazz festivals, so I'm creating my own Tony Bennett jazz festival here. And don't just take my word for it; Tony Bennett is a National Endowment for the Arts Jazz Master.

From Cloud 7, released in 1955
Old Devil Moon
Darn That Dream

From The Beat of My Heart, released in 1957
Lullaby of Broadway
Crazy Rhythm

From Basie/Bennett, released in 1959
With Plenty of Money and You
Poor Little Rich Girl

From In Person!, released in 1959
Taking a Chance on Love
Fascinatin’ Rhythm

From My Heart Sings, released in 1961
Dancing in the Dark
Stella By Starlight

From Tony Bennett at Carnegie Hall, released in 1962
Solitude

From Bennett & Brubeck: The White Sessions, Live 1962, released in 2013, recorded in 1962
Lullaby of Broadway
There Will Never Be Another You

From Tony Makes It Happen!, released in 1967
Don’t Get Around Much Anymore
Old Devil Moon

From The Tony Bennett/Bill Evans Album, released in 1975
Days of Wine and Roses
Some Other Time

From Together Again, released in 1977
Dream Dancing
Make Someone Happy

From Tony Bennett On Holiday, released in 1997
That Ole Devil Called Love
All Of Me

From Bennett Sings Ellington: Hot & Cool, released in 1999
Do Nothin’ Till You Hear From Me
Sophisticated Lady