The Year of Tony Bennett

An Appreciation of the Art and Music of Tony Bennett

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Song of the Day: White Christmas

On the 4th day of a Tony Bennett Christmas, the song of the day for Thursday, December 17, 2020, is “White Christmas.”

About This Song

Irving Berlin wrote “White Christmas” in 1940. It is one of America’s most beloved Christmas songs. In the not-often heard verse of the song, we hear that “the sun is shining, the grass is green, the orange and palm trees sway, there’s never been such a day in Beverly Hills, L.A. But it’s December the 24 …” And indeed, Irving Berlin was in Los Angeles when he wrote “White Christmas,” expressing that longing for a traditional back-home Christmas. Bing Crosby recorded the song in 1942 and completely dominated the music charts for weeks. Crosby’s single of “White Christmas” is the biggest-selling single record of all time, worldwide, at over 100-million copies.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded this version of “White Christmas” in 1987 for his album Bennett/Berlin. The recording features Dexter Gordon on tenor sax.

White Christmas - 1987 Version

Listen to White Christmas - 1987 Version on Spotify. Song · Tony Bennett, Dexter Gordon · 1987

“White Christmas,” as well as Bennett/Berlin, is available from Apple Music.

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Song of the Day: Russian Lullaby

The song of the day for Friday, November 27, 2020, is “Russian Lullaby.”

About This Song

Written in 1927, “Russian Lullaby,” Irving Berlin (born Isador Beilin) explores his childhood roots as an Eastern European/Belarusian Jewish immigrant. The song is like a folk melody and the lyrics are lovely. “Russian Lullaby” was first used in vaudeville and gained recognition with the recording by Roger Wolfe Kahn and His Orchestra. It has also been recorded by Bunny Berigan, Guy Lombardo, Bing Crosby, and Dinah Shore, among others.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “Russian Lullaby” in 1987 for his album of songs written by Irving Berlin: Bennett/Berlin. Dizzy Gillespie and his trumpet are featured with a great solo.

Russian Lullaby

Listen to Russian Lullaby on Spotify. Song · Tony Bennett, Dizzy Gillespie · 1987

“Russian Lullaby,” as well as Bennett/Berlin, is available from Apple Music.

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Song of the Day: Shaking the Blues Away

The song of the day for Wednesday, November 11, 2020, is “Shaking the Blues Away.”

About This Song

“Shaking The Blues Away,” written by Irving Berlin, was originally written for The Zeigfeld Follies of 1927. It was introduced by Ruth Etting, who was making her first appearance in the Follies. Berlin pulled it out of the trunk for 1948 film Easter Parade, where it was a dance number for Ann Miller.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “Shaking the Blues Away” in 1987 for his album Bennett/Berlin.

Shakin" The Blues Away

Listen to Shakin" The Blues Away on Spotify. Song · Tony Bennett · 1987

“Shaking the Blues Away,” as well as Bennett/Berlin, is available from Apple Music.

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Song of the Day: Let’s Face The Music And Dance

The song of the day for Monday, August 31, 2020, is “Let’s Face The Music And Dance.”

About This Song

“Let’s Face the Music and Dance” was written in 1936 for the film Follow the Fleet with Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers. The Astaire – Rogers dance to this song is considered one of their best. It has also been recorded by singers including Frank Sinatra and Nat King Cole.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “Let’s Face The Music And Dance” for his 1987 album Bennett/Berlin. Bennett arranged the song for this album.

“Let’s Face The Music And Dance,” as well as Bennett/Berlin, is available from Apple Music.

Of course I’m including the video of Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers from Follow The Fleet. I’m not some kind of monster.

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From "Follow the Fleet" (1936)

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Song of the Day: Isn’t This a Lovely Day?

The song of the day for Monday, July 20, 2020, is “Isn’t This a Lovely Day?”

About This Song

This delightful song was written by Irving Berlin in 1935 for the Fred Astaire / Ginger Rogers movie Top Hat. In the film, Astaire and Rogers are caught in a rainstorm while sitting in an outdoor gazebo. The song was introduced by Fred Astaire. This song has also been recorded by Ella Fitzgerald, Louis Armstrong, Diana Krall, Jeri Southern, and Tony Bennett.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “Isn’t This a Lovely Day?” in 1987 for his album Bennett/Berlin. Bennett did his own arrangement.

“Isn’t This a Lovely Day?,” as well as Bennett/Berlin, is available from Apple Music.

In 1962, Fred Astaire made an album with pianist Oscar Peterson named Fred Astaire Sings & Swings Irving Berlin. I heard this recording last Saturday on John Pizzarelli and Jessica Molaskey’s Radio Deluxe program and wanted to share it too. The very nice tenor saxophone solo was by Flip Phillips.

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