The Year of Tony Bennett

An Appreciation of the Art and Music of Tony Bennett

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Song of the Day: That Old Black Magic

The song of the day for Wednesday, September 16, 2020, is “That Old Black Magic.”

About This Song

One of the great songs by Harold Arlen and Johnny Mercer, “That Old Black Magic” was written in 1942 and first recorded by Glenn Miller. It was used in the 1942 movie Star Spangled Rhythm. It’s been recorded many times and used in several films, including the 1956 film Bus Stop, where it was sung by Marilyn Monroe.

About This Version

In 1962, at the invitation of President John F. Kennedy, Tony Bennett and the Dave Brubeck Quartet performed for the outgoing class of Presidential Scholars. After each had done their own set, Bennett returned with The Dave Brubeck Trio (minus Paul Desmond on alto sax) to do a series of completely unrehearsed improvs. This recording was one of them (and is also my favorite). In addition to Brubeck on piano, Joe Morello (drums) and Eugene Wright (bass) filled out the trio. The tape of the concert was long thought lost, but was rediscovered in 2012 and released as Bennett & Brubeck: The White House Sessions, Live 1962 in 2013.

“That Old Black Magic,” as well as Bennett & Brubeck: The White House Sessions, Live 1962, is available from Apple Music.

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Tony Live! Chicago

The song of the day for Sunday, March 8, 2020, is “Chicago.”

About This Song

“Chicago” was written in 1932 by Fred Fisher. If there is any song associated with the great city of Chicago, it is this song. It’s been widely recorded by singers including Count Basie and Tony Bennett, Rosemary Clooney, Frank Sinatra, Judy Garland, and many, many more.

About This Version

We’re continuing our review of the songs that Bennett sang with the Dave Brubeck Trio. Their second song in the set was “Chicago,” captured on Bennett/Brubeck: The White House Sessions, Live 1962.

“Chicago,” as well as Bennett/Brubeck: The White House Sessions, Live 1962, is available from iTunes.

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Tony Live! I Left My Heart in San Francisco

The song of the day for Sunday, March 1, 2020, is “I Left My Heart in San Francisco.”

About This Song

“I Left My Heart In San Francisco” was written in 1953 by George Cory and Douglass Cross. They were songwriters from San Francisco and wrote it while homesick. As Bennett’s musical director, songwriters were constantly giving Ralph Sharon copies of their songs. Cross and Cory had done that and Sharon had stuck the song in a drawer and forgotten all about it. In 1961, he and Bennett were heading out on tour, which included a stop in San Francisco at The Venetian Room at the Fairmont Hotel on Nob Hill. Sharon came across the music and thought it might be a nice local number for the San Francisco audience.

About This Version

In 1962 when Bennett sang “I Left My Heart In San Francisco” at the White House Sessions concert, the song was relatively new in Bennett’s repertoire. The single was released in February 1962 and by the summer of that year, it had become quite popular, though it was not yet his signature song. It’s a really lovely recording, captured on Bennett/Brubeck: The White House Sessions, Live 1962.

“I Left My Heart in San Francisco,” as well as Bennett/Brubeck: The White House Sessions, Live 1962, is available from iTunes.

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Tony Live! Rags to Riches

The song of the day for Sunday, February 23, 2020, is “Rags to Riches.”

About This Song

“Rags to Riches” was written by Richard Adler and Jerry Ross in 1953. When Tony Bennett first heard “Rags to Riches,” he hated the song and was forced by Mitch Miller to record it. With a very nice arrangement by Percy Faith, the recording was a big hit for Bennett and earned him a gold record. Thankfully, Bennett grew to enjoy singing the song. Martin Scorcese used the 1953 recording in the opening of Goodfellas, which helped find a new audience for this song.

About This Version

Tony Bennett sang “Rags to Riches” at the Washington DC concert in 1962, as captured on Bennett/Brubeck: The White House Sessions, Live 1962.

“Rags to Riches,” as well as Bennett/Brubeck: The White House Sessions, Live 1962, is available from iTunes.

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Tony Live! Make Someone Happy

The song of the day for Saturday, February 21, 2020, is “Make Someone Happy.”

About This Song

“Make Someone Happy” is from the 1960 musical Do Re Mi, by Jule Styne, Betty Comden, and Adolph Green. Do Re Mi concerns a guy, a bit of a loser and a con, who goes into the jukebox business with some gangster pals. ”Make Someone Happy” was introduced by John Reardon and Nancy Dussault.

About This Version

Tony sang “Make Someone Happy” at the 1962 concert in honor of the White House interns, at the invitation of President John F. Kennedy. The concert was captured on Bennett/Brubeck: The White House Sessions, Live 1962, released in 2013.

“Make Someone Happy,” as well as Bennett/Brubeck: The White House Sessions, Live 1962, is available from iTunes.

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