The Year of Tony Bennett

An Appreciation of the Art and Music of Tony Bennett

By Leave a Comment

Song of the Day: Make Someone Happy

The song of the day for Tuesday, May 2, 2017 is “Make Someone Happy.”

About This Song

“Make Someone Happy” was written in 1960 by the great Jule Styne, with lyrics from the equally great team Adolph Green and Betty Comden. It was written for the Broadway musical Do Re Mi, which concerns a guy, a bit of a loser and a con, who goes into the juke box business with some gangster pals. ”Make Someone Happy” was introduced by John Reardon and Nancy Dussault.

About This Version

Tony Bennett and Bill Evans recorded “Make Someone Happy” in 1976 for their second album, Together Again. Tony Bennett first recorded version of this song was made in 1962 for the White House Sessions, released in 2013 on Bennett/Brubeck: The White House Sessions Live 1962. Bill Evans first recorded the song with his trio in 1964, released on Bill Evans Trio “Live.”

Make Someone Happy - Remastered 2003

Listen to Make Someone Happy - Remastered 2003 on Spotify. Song · Tony Bennett, Bill Evans · 1977


“Make Someone Happy,” as well as Together Again, is available from iTunes.

I’m also including the two earlier versions from both artists:

Tony Bennett — 1962

Make Someone Happy - Live at the Washington Monument, Washington, D.C. - August 1962

Listen to Make Someone Happy - Live at the Washington Monument, Washington, D.C. - August 1962 on Spotify. Song · Tony Bennett · 2013

Bill Evans Trio — 1964

Make Someone Happy

Bill Evans · The Best Of Bill Evans Live · Song · 1997

So get out there and make someone happy!

By 2 Comments

Song of the Day: That Old Black Magic

The song of the day for Saturday, October 15, 2016 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 also 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

Today’s version of “That Old Black Magic” is very special. It’s from the 1962 concert for the White House interns and features Tony Bennett with the Dave Brubeck Trio, which featured Brubeck on piano, Eugene Wright on bass and Joe Morello on drums. The tape had been thought long-lost, but it was found in classical music (?) archives shortly after Brubeck’s death in 2012. The album Bennett/Brubeck: The White House Sessions Live 1962 was released in 2013.

That Old Black Magic (with The Dave Brubeck Trio) - Live at the Washington Monument, Washington, D.C. - August 1962

Listen to That Old Black Magic (with The Dave Brubeck Trio) - Live at the Washington Monument, Washington, D.C. - August 1962 on Spotify. Song · Tony Bennett, Dave Brubeck Trio · 2013


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

About Today

Sorry for missing some days this past week. I have a pinched nerve that has shut down my left arm and so reduced to typing one-handed. I haven’t typed this slow since the first day of typing class.

Our video today features Tony Bennett singing “That Old Black Magic” live at the Hollywood Bowl on August 3, 2013, in honor of his 87th birthday.

Subscribe to The Year of Tony Bennett

Enter your email address to subscribe to this blog and receive notifications of new posts by email.

Current Reader Favorites