The Year of Tony Bennett

An Appreciation of the Art and Music of Tony Bennett

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Song of the Day: Are You Having Any Fun

The song of the day for Saturday, March 19, 2022, is “Are You Having Any Fun.”

About This Song

“Are You Having 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 and The Count Basie Orchestra recorded “Are You Having Any Fun” in 1959 for their first album: Basie/Bennett. Ralph Sharon wrote the arrangement.

“Are You Having Any Fun,” as well as Basie/Bennett is available on Apple Music.

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Song of the Day: Poor Little Rich Girl

The song of the day for Wednesday, March 16, 2022, is “Poor Little Rich Girl.”

About This Song

“Poor Little Rich Girl” was written by Noël Coward for the 1925 revue On With the Dance. It is one of his most popular songs.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “Poor Little Rich Girl” with The Count Basie Orchestra in 1959 for his first album with Count Basie: Basie/Bennett. Ralph Sharon wrote the arrangement

“Poor Little Rich Girl,” as well as Basie/Bennett is available on Apple Music.

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Song of the Day: I Guess I’ll Have To Change My Plan

The song of the day for Monday, December 27, 2021, is “I Guess I’ll Have To Change My Plan.”

About This Song

“I Guess I’ll Have To Change My Plan” was written by Arthur Schwartz and Howard Dietz for the 1929 revue The Little Show and was introduced by Clifton Webb. It was a featured song in the 1953 movie The Band Wagon, where it was sung by Fred Astaire and Oscar Levant. Even though the original title was “I Guess I’ll Have to Change My Plan,” it is more often sung with Plans. And in spite of the sub-title on the cover of the sheet music, I have no idea what the blue pajama business is all about.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “I Guess I’ll Have To Change My Plan” in 1959 for his first album with Count Basie and His Orchestra, Basie/Bennett. Ralph Sharon wrote the arrangement.

“I Guess I’ll Have To Change My Plan,” as well as Basie/Bennett is available on Apple Music.

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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.

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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.

Jeepers Creepers - 1990 Remix / Remaster

Listen to Jeepers Creepers - 1990 Remix / Remaster on Spotify. Count Basie, Tony Bennett, Tristan Powell · Song · 1959.

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

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