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 Thursday, November 18, 2021, is “That Old Black Magic.”

About Today

Today we are remembering the great Johnny Mercer, who wrote the lyrics to today’s song, who was born in Savannah, Georgia on November 18, 1909. You can read more about Mercer and his accomplishments at the website for The Johnny Mercer Foundation which supports songwriting and songwriters as well as several educational initiatives.

About This Song

One of the great songs by Harold Arlen and Johnny Mercer, “That Old Black Magic” was written in 1942 for the movie Star Spangled Rhythm and first recorded by Glenn Miller. 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

Tony Bennett and The Dave Brubeck Trio recorded “That Old Black Magic” in an improv session after each artist had completed their performances at this concert. In addition to Brubeck on piano, the trio featured Eugene Wright on bass and Joe Morello on drums. The concert was taped 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 on Apple Music.

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Song of the Day: There Will Never Be Another You

The song of the day for Monday, September 6, 2021, is “There Will Never Be Another You.”

About This Song

“There Will Never Be Another You” was written by Harry Warren and Mack Gordon in 1942 for the movie Iceland, where it was introduced in the movie by Joan Merrill. Amazingly, this beautiful song was not nominated for an Academy Award. No matter. The song has become a serious jazz standard and has had many fine recordings, including Bennett’s 1959 recording with Count Basie and his 1962 improvisation with Dave Brubeck at the White House Sessions. Other significant recordings include those by Lionel Hampton, Chet Baker, Nat King Cole, and Sonny Rollins.

About This Version

Tony Bennett and The Dave Brubeck Trio closed out their improv set with “There Will Never Be Another You,” captured on Bennett/Brubeck: The White House Sessions, Live 1962.

There Will Never Be Another You (with The Dave Brubeck Trio) - Live at the Washington Monument, Washington, D.C. - August 1962

Listen to There Will Never Be Another You (with The Dave Brubeck Trio) - Live at the Washington Monument, Washington, D.C. - August 1962 on Spotify. Tony Bennett · Song · 2013.

“There Will Never Be Another You,” as well as Bennett/Brubeck: The White House Sessions, Live 1962 is available on Apple Music.

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Song of the Day: Chicago

The song of the day for Saturday, September 4, 2021, is “Chicago.”

About This Song

“Chicago” was written in 1922 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

The second number in the improv set with The Dave Brubeck Trio was the song “Chicago.” As with all of Bennett’s versions of this song, it’s short and it swings! And it’s captured on Bennett/Brubeck: The White House Sessions, Live 1962.

Chicago (That Toddlin" Town) (with The Dave Brubeck Trio) - Live at the Washington Monument, Washington, D.C. - August 1962

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

“Chicago,” as well as Bennett/Brubeck: The White House Sessions, Live 1962 is available on Apple Music

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Song of the Day: I Left My Heart In San Francisco

The song of the day for September 2, 2021, is “I Left My Heart In San Francisco.”

About This Song

“I Left My Heart In San Francisco” was written in 1953 by two homesick songwriters, George Cory and Douglass Cross.

About This Version

Tony Bennett closed his set at the 1962 White House Sessions concert with his big hit from that year, “I Left My Heart In San Francisco.” This version was captured on Bennett/Brubeck: The White House Sessions, Live 1962.

I Left My Heart In San Francisco - Live at the Washington Monument, Washington, D.C. - August 1962

Listen to I Left My Heart In San Francisco - Live at the Washington Monument, Washington, D.C. - August 1962 on Spotify. Tony Bennett · Song · 2013.

“I Left My Heart In San Francisco,” as well as Bennett/Brubeck: The White House Sessions, Live 1962 is available on Apple Music.

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Song of the Day: One For My Baby

The song of the day for Wednesday, September 1, 2021, is “One For My Baby (And One More For The Road).”

About This Song

“One For My Baby (And One More For The Road)” was written by Harold Arlen and Johnny Mercer for the 1943 film The Sky’s The Limit, where it was introduced by Fred Astaire. Harold Arlen called this song one of his “tapeworms” as at 48 bars, it was longer than the standard 32 bar popular song. Alec Wilder, in American Popular Song, says that “the honors must go the lyric. Just imagine having the acuity and courage to start a song, as Mercer does, with “It’s a quarter to three”!

About This Version

“One For My Baby (And One More For The Road)” was the penultimate song in Tony Bennett’s set at the 1962 White House Sessions, held on the National Mall by the Washington Monument and captured on Bennett/Brubeck: The White House Sessions, Live 1962.

One For My Baby (And One More For The Road) - Live at the Washington Monument, Washington, D.C. - August 1962

Listen to One For My Baby (And One More For The Road) - Live at the Washington Monument, Washington, D.C. - August 1962 on Spotify. Tony Bennett · Song · 2013.

“One For My Baby (And One More For The Road),” as well as Bennett/Brubeck: The White House Sessions, Live 1962 is available on Apple Music.

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