The Year of Tony Bennett

An Appreciation of the Art and Music of Tony Bennett

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Song of the Day: These Foolish Things

The song of the day for Monday, June 11, 2018 is “These Foolish Things.”

About This Song

“These Foolish Things” was composed by Jack Strachey, with lyrics by Eric Maschwitz (as Holt Marvell). Although written and first performed in 1936, “These Foolish Things” 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 this version of “These Foolish Things” in 1996 for his album Tony Bennett On Holiday; this album features songs sung by Billie Holiday.

These Foolish Things (Remind Me Of You)

Listen to These Foolish Things (Remind Me Of You) on Spotify. Tony Bennett · Song · 1997.


“These Foolish Things,” as well as Tony Bennett On Holiday, is available from iTunes.

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Song of the Day: Ill Wind

The song of the day for Sunday, June 3, 2018 is “Ill Wind.”

About This Song

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

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “Ill Wind” in 1996 for his album Tony Bennett On Holiday. In this album, Bennett sings songs associated with singer Billie Holiday. A visitor to the site some years ago wrote me that of all the singers that have done tribute albums to Lady Day, this album captures Holiday better than any of the others. I won’t disagree.

Ill Wind (You"re Blowin" Me No Good)

Listen to Ill Wind (You"re Blowin" Me No Good) on Spotify. Tony Bennett · Song · 1997.


“Ill Wind,” as well as Tony Bennett On Holiday, is available from iTunes.

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Song of the Day: Solitude

The song of the day for Monday, May 7, 2018 is “Solitude.”

About This Song

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 Jazz Standards) in 1934. The lyrics by Eddie DeLange and Irving Mills were added later, as was typical for many Ellington songs. It’s a 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 the album Tony Bennett On Holiday, an album of songs sung by Billie Holiday. The album won the 1998 Grammy Award for Best Traditional Pop Vocal Performance.

Solitude

Listen to Solitude on Spotify. Tony Bennett · Song · 1997.


“Solitude,” as well as Tony Bennett On Holiday, is available from iTunes.

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Song of the Day: That Ole Devil Called Love

The song of the day for Tuesday, April 10, 2018 is “That Ole Devil Called Love.”

About This Song

“That Ole Devil Called Love” was written in 1945 by Doris Fisher with lyrics by Allan Roberts. Composer 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” in 1996 for his album Tony Bennett On Holiday, which consisted of songs sung by Billie Holiday. Bobby Tucker, one of Holiday’s pianists, served as a consultant on this album. Tony Bennett On Holiday won the 1998 Grammy Award for Best Traditional Pop Vocal Performance.

A visitor to our sister site, The Interactive Tony Bennett Discography, sent me a note that said as far as he was concerned, of all of singers who have recorded tributes to Billie Holiday, no one comes closer to the real Billie Holiday than Tony Bennett does on this album.

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 iTunes.

Here’s Lady Day’s recording of “That Ole Devil Called Love.”

That Ole Devil Called Love

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

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Song of the Day: What a Little Moonlight Can Do

The song of the day for Thursday, January 4, 2017 is “What a Little Moonlight Can Do.”

About This Song

This charming song was written in 1934 by Harry Woods while he was living and working in temporarily in London for a British film studio as a composer. One of the songs he wrote was “What A Little Moonlight Can Do” for a movie called Road House. Billie Holiday, with Teddy Wilson and His Orchestra, recorded the song in 1935.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “What a Little Moonlight Can Do” in 1996 for his album of songs associated with Billie Holiday: Tony Bennett On Holiday. Mr. Bennett painted the image of Lady Day featured on the cover of the album.

What A Little Moonlight Can Do

Listen to What A Little Moonlight Can Do on Spotify. Tony Bennett · Song · 1997.


“What a Little Moonlight Can Do,” as well as Tony Bennett On Holiday, is available from iTunes.

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