The Year of Tony Bennett

An Appreciation of the Art and Music of Tony Bennett

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Song of the Day: Trav’lin’ Light

The song of the day for Thursday, April 7,2022, is “Trav’lin’ Light.”

About Today

We close out our tribute to Billie Holiday, who was born on April 7, 1915. I think she really invented jazz singing.

About This Song

“Trav’lin’ Light” was written in 1942 by Trummy Young and Jimmy Mundy. When Paul Whiteman and his band arrived at Capitol Records’ studio for a recording session, Trummy Young brought along his girlfriend, Billie Holiday. Songwriter Johnny Mercer, one of the co-founders of the new label, discovered that Young had a newly written tune with him. Mercer quickly wrote lyrics for it and gave it a title so Holiday could record it with the band. The record label identified the singer as ‘Lady Day,’ Holiday’s nickname because she was under contract with another label.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “Trav’lin’ Light” in 1996 for the album Tony Bennett On Holiday. The album won the 1998 Grammy Award for Best Traditional Pop Vocal Performance.

“Trav’lin’ Light,” as well as Tony Bennett On Holiday is available on Apple Music.

Here’s Billie’s version with The Paul Whiteman Orchestra. I love this recording so much.

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Song of the Day: Willow Weep For Me

The song of the day for Tuesday, April 5, 2022, is “Willow Weep For Me.”

About This Song

“Willow Weep For Me” was written in 1932 by a Radcliffe student named Ann Ronell. She encountered some initial trouble in getting the song published, but once Irving Berlin decided to publish the song, it began to take off. The first recording was made by Ted Fio Rito, with vocals by Muzzy Marcellino. The song became a jazz standard and has been recorded by many fine jazz artists, including Art Tatum, Dinah Washington, Stan Kenton, Thelonius Monk, Ella Fitzgerald, and Billie Holiday.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “Willow Weep For Me” in 1996 for Tony Bennett On Holiday. Jorge Calandrelli wrote the arrangement.

“Willow Weep For Me,” as well as Tony Bennett On Holiday is available on Apple Music.

Here’s Lady Day’s original recording:

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Song of the Day: That Ole Devil Called Love

The song of the day for Tuesday, March 8, 2022, is “That Ole Devil Called Love.”

About This Song

“That Ole Devil Called Love” was written in 1945 by Doris Fisher and Allan Roberts. Composer Doris Fisher, daughter of songwriter Fred Fisher, was so popular in the 1940s that she was called “Queen of the Jukebox.” She often wrote with Allan Roberts. She was also a talented singer and performer. Other of her songs include “You Always Hurt The One You Love.”

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “That Ole Devil Called Love” for his 1997 album Tony Bennett On Holiday. Jorge Calandrelli wrote the arrangement.

“That Ole Devil Called Love,” as well as Tony Bennett On Holiday is available on Apple Music.

Here’s Billie Holiday’s 1945 recording of today’s song.

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Song of the Day: If I Could Be With You

The song of the day for Friday, December 3. 2021, is “If I Could Be With You.”

About This Song

“If I Could Be With You” was written in 1926 by James P. Johnson, with lyrics by Henry Creamer. Pianist Johnson, who wrote this song, made a piano roll of it in 1927, the same year it was used in the revue Brownskin Models. In 1930, there were several successful recordings, including those by Louis Armstrong and Ruth Etting. Other recordings include this by Bing Crosby, Ella Fitzgerald, Kay Starr, and Billie Holiday.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “If I Could Be With You” for his 1997 album Tony Bennett On Holiday.

“If I Could Be With You,” as well as Tony Bennett On Holiday is available on Apple Music.

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Song of the Day: Trav’lin’ Light

The song of the day for Tuesday, November 30, 2021, is “Trav’lin’ Light.”

About This Song

“Trav’lin’ Light” was written by Trummy Young and Jimmy Mundy in 1942; Johnny Mercer wrote the lyrics. This song was first recorded by Paul Whiteman with Billie Holiday on vocals. It’s a wonderful, classic Mercer lyric and the tune is lovely. In addition to this recording, this song has been recorded by Anita O’Day, Peggy Lee, Queen Latifah, Shirley Horn, and Sonny Rollins.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “Trav’lin’ Light” in 1996 for his album Tony Bennett On Holiday, a tribute to Billie Holiday. Jorge Calandrelli wrote the arrangement.

“Trav’lin’ Light,” as well as Tony Bennett On Holiday is available on Apple Music.

Here is the Billie Holiday and Paul Whiteman Orchestra recording from 1942:

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