The Year of Tony Bennett

An Appreciation of the Art and Music of Tony Bennett

By Leave a Comment

Song of the Day: That Ole Devil Called Love

The song of the day for Wednesday, April 7, 2021, is “That Ole Devil Called Love.”

About Today

We are remembering singer Billie Holiday, who was born on April 7, 1915, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

About This Song

“That Ole Devil Called Love” was written in 1945 by Doris Fisher and Allan Roberts.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “That Ole Devil Called Love” in 1996 for his tribute album Tony Bennett On Holiday.

That Ole Devil Called Love

Listen to That Ole Devil Called Love on Spotify. Tony Bennett · Song · 1997.

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

Here’s Lady Day singing today’s song, recorded in 1944:

That Ole Devil Called Love

Listen to That Ole Devil Called Love on Spotify. Billie Holiday · Song · 2017.

By Leave a Comment

Song of the Day: Lover Man

The song of the day for Wednesday, March 31, 2021, is “Lover Man.”

About This Song

“Lover Man” was written in 1941 by Jimmy Davis, Roger “Ram” Ramirez, and James Sherman. The song was written for Billie Holiday, and remains most closely associated with her, despite many other fine recordings. Her recording of “Lover Man” was inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame in 1989. Other significant recordings include those by Dee Dee Bridgewater, Bill Evans and Stan Getz, Charlie Parker, and Barbra Streisand.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “Lover Man” in 1961 for his album My Heart Sings. Ralph Burns wrote the arrangement and conducted the big band.

Lover Man (Oh, Where Can You Be?)

Listen to Lover Man (Oh, Where Can You Be?) on Spotify. Tony Bennett · Song · 1961.

“Lover Man,” as well as My Heart Sings, is available from Apple Music.

Here’s Holiday’s version:

Lover Man

Listen to Lover Man on Spotify. Billie Holiday · Song · 1958.

By Leave a Comment

Song of the Day: All Of Me

The song of the day for Sunday, February 28, 2021, is “All Of Me.”

About This Song

“All Of Me” ws written in 1931 by Gerald Marks and Seymour Simons. It’s the only song by Marks and Simons to become popular in the jazz repertoire. Early recordings included those by Louis Armstrong, Mildred Bailey and Ruth Etting. In his masterful book The Jazz Standards, Al Gioia writes

The definitive version of “All Of Me” wouldn’t appear for another decade, but when Billie Holiday recorded the song, with tenor saxophonist Lester Young on hand, she staked a claim of ownership that no one has managed to dislodge in subsequent years.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “All Of Me” in 1996 for Tony Bennett On Holiday, released in 1977. Jorge Calandrelli wrote the arrangement.

Tony Bennett won the 1998 Grammy Award For Best Traditional Pop Performance for Tony Bennett On Holiday.

All Of Me

Listen to All Of Me on Spotify. Tony Bennett · Song · 1997.

“All Of Me,” as well as Tony Bennett On Holiday, is available from Apple Music.

Here’s “All Of Me,” recorded in 1941 by Billie Holiday with Eddie Heywood and His Orchestra. Lester Young has a sweet solo.

All of Me

Listen to All of Me on Spotify. Billie Holiday · Song · 1996.

By Leave a Comment

Song of the Day: That Ole Devil Called Love

The song of the day for Wednesday, February 24, 2021, is “That Ole Devil Called Love.”

About This Song

“That Ole Devil Called Love” was written in 1945 by Doris Fisher and Allan Roberts. 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, a tribute to the singer Billie Holiday.

That Ole Devil Called Love

Listen to That Ole Devil Called Love on Spotify. Tony Bennett · Song · 1997.

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

Here’s Billie Holiday’s 1945 recording:

That Ole Devil Called Love

Listen to That Ole Devil Called Love on Spotify. Billie Holiday · Song · 2017.

By Leave a Comment

Song of the Day: Trav’lin’ Light

The song of the day for Tuesday, February 2, 2021, is “Trav’lin’ Light.”

About This Song

“Trav’lin’ Light” was written in 1942 by Trummy Young and Jimmy Mundy, with lyrics by Johnny Mercer. This wonderful 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” for his 1997 album Tony Bennett On Holiday, a tribute to Billie Holiday.

Trav’lin’ Light

Listen to Trav’lin’ Light on Spotify. Tony Bennett · Song · 1997.

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

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