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 Friday, November 20, 2020, 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” in 1996 for his 1997 album Tony Bennett On Holiday. Jorge Calendrelli wrote the arrangement.

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.

And while you’re here, this is Billie Holiday with the Paul Whiteman and His Orchestra:

Trav’lin’ Light

Listen to Trav’lin’ Light on Spotify. Paul Whiteman & His Orchestra · Song · 2008.

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Song of the Day: Crazy She Calls Me

The song of the day for Tuesday, September 9, 2020, is “Crazy She Calls Me.”

About This Song

“Crazy He Calls Me” (he is changed to she when sung by a man) was written in 1949 by Carl Sigman and Bob Russell. In addition to Billie Holiday’s recording of this song, it has also been recorded by Peggy Lee, Dinah Washington, and Aretha Franklin.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “Crazy He Calls Me” in 1996 for his tribute album to Lady Day: Bennett On Holiday, released in 1997.

“Crazy She Calls Me,” as well as Bennett On Holiday, is available from Apple Music.

And here’s Billie Holiday singing today’s song.

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Song of the Day: Willow Weep For Me

The song of the day for Wednesday, July 22, 2020, 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 his 1997 album Tony Bennett On Holiday, an album in tribute to Billie Holiday.

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

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Song of the Day: Solitude

The song of the day for Friday, June 12, 2020, is “Solitude.”

About This Song

“Solitude” was written in 1934 by Duke Ellington; the lyrics by Eddie DeLange and Irving Mills were added later (as they were for most of Ellington’s compositions).

One of his masterpieces, Ellington is said to have written “Solitude” in twenty minutes at the recording session, as they were one number short (Ted Gioia in The Jazz Standards). It’s a very strong song for both vocalists and instrumentalists. Ellington made over a hundred recordings of this song. Other great recordings include those by Paul Robeson, Ella Fitzgerald, Billie Holiday, and Billy Eckstine.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded this version of “Solitude” in 1996 for his album devoted to songs sung by Billie Holiday: Tony Bennett on Holiday. Jorge Calandrelli wrote the arrangement.

“Solitude,” as well as Tony Bennett on Holiday, is available from Apple Music.

If you have time to listen to two songs today, here’s Billie Holiday’s version, recorded and released on the Clef label in 1952 and re-released on Verve in 1956.

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Song of the Day: Willow Weep For Me

The song of the day for Wednesday, February 5, 2020, 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 heard and 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 his album dedicated to Billie Holiday: Tony Bennett On Holiday. The album was released on February 4, 1997. It won the 1998 Grammy Award for Best Traditional Pop Vocal Performance.

“Willow Weep For Me,” as well as Tony Bennett On Holiday, is available from iTunes.

And here’s Lady Day’s recording of our song for today.

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