The Year of Tony Bennett

An Appreciation of the Art and Music of Tony Bennett

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Song of the Day: Ill Wind

The song of the day for Friday, December 8, 2023, is “Ill Wind.”

About This Song

“Ill Wind” was written by Harold Arlen and Ted Koehler in 1934 for Arlen’s and Koehler’s last show at the Cotton Club, where it was sung by Adelaide Hall. This song has been recorded by Billie Holiday, Ella Fitzgerald, Stan Kenton, Audra McDonald, Sarah Vaughan, Dinah Washington and Frank Sinatra.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “Ill Wind” in June 1996 for his album Tony Bennett On Holiday, a tribute to Billie Holiday. Jorge Calandrelli wrote the arrangement.

“Ill Wind,” as well as Tony Bennett On Holiday, is available on Apple Music.

Billie Holiday recorded “Ill Wind” in 1956 for Verve Records.

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Song of the Day: Crazy She Calls Me

The song of the day for Saturday, October 28, 2023, is “Crazy She Calls Me.”

About This Song

“Crazy He Calls Me” was written in 1949 by Carl Sigman and Bob Russell. Billy Holiday recorded the song with an arrangement by Gordon Jenkins. While her version is the best-known, it has also been recorded by Linda Ronstadt, Aretha Franklin, Natalie Cole, Peggy Lee, Dinah Washington, Sam Cooke, Tony Bennett, and Rod Stewart – the male versions changed to “Crazy She Calls Me.”

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “Crazy She Calls Me” in June 1966 for his album Tony Bennett On Holiday, released in 1997. It was arranged by Jorge Calandrelli.

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

Here’s Billie Holiday’s 1949 recording of today’s song:

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Song of the Day: These Foolish Things (Remind Me of You)

The song of the day for Monday, October 9, 2023, is “These Foolish Things.”

About This Song

“These Foolish Things” was written by Jack Strachey and Eric Maschwitz (writing as Holt Marvell for contractual reasons). Although written and first performed in 1936, the song was not an immediate hit. In fact, Maschwitz’ agent refused to publish the song and so Maschwitz himself did. There were several fine recordings in the 1930s, including one by Billie Holiday with the Teddy Wilson Orchestra and Benny Goodman. In the 1950s, the song became even more popular, with recordings by Artie Shaw, Nat King Cole, Art Pepper, and Johnny Hartman.”These Foolish Things” ranks #28 on jazzstandards.com and is still widely played and recorded.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “These Foolish Things” in June 1996 for his tribute album to Billie Holiday, Tony Bennett On Holiday, released in 1997. It was arranged by Jorge Calandrelli.

“These Foolish Things,” as well as Tony Bennett On Holiday, is available on Apple Music.

Here’s Billie Holiday’s recording with The Teddy Wilson Orchestra, from 1936:

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Song of the Day: My Old Flame

The song of the day for Sunday, September 10, 2023, is “My Old Flame.”

About This Song

“My Old Flame” was written by Arthur Johnston and Sam Coslow in 1934. Today’s song was written for the movie Belle of the Nineties, which starred Mae West. Mae West was an ardent Duke Ellington fan and insisted that he and his orchestra be hired to do the film and accompany her when she sang it.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “My Old Flame” in June 1996 for his album in tribute to Billie Holiday: Tony Bennett On Holiday, released in 1997. Jorge Calandrelli wrote the arrangement.

“My Old Flame,” as well as Tony Bennett On Holiday, is available on Apple Music.

Billie Holiday recorded “My Old Flame” in 1944:

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Song of the Day: These Foolish Things

The song of the day for Saturday, August 5, 2023, is “These Foolish Things.”

About This Song

“These Foolish Things (Remind Me Of You)” was written in 1936 by Jack Strachey and Eric Maschwitz (writing as Holt Marvell due to contractual issues). The song was not an immediate hit. In fact, Maschwitz’ agent refused to publish the song and so Maschwitz himself did. There were several fine recordings in the 1930s, including one by Billie Holiday with the Teddy Wilson Orchestra and Benny Goodman. In the 1950s, the song became even more popular, with recordings by Artie Shaw, Nat King Cole, Art Pepper, and Johnny Hartman. “These Foolish Things” ranks #28 on jazzstandards.org and is still widely played and recorded.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “These Foolish Things (Remind Me Of You)” in June 1996 for his album Tony Bennett On Holiday, released in 1997. It was arranged and conducted by Jorge Calandrelli.

“These Foolish Things,” as well as Tony Bennett On Holiday is available on Apple Music.

Here’s Billie Holiday’s version with Teddy Wilson, recorded on June 30, 1936: