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The Year of Tony Bennett

An Appreciation of the Art and Music of Tony Bennett

December 21, 2022 By Suzanne Leave a Comment

Song of the Day: White Christmas

The song of the day for Thursday, December 22, 2022, the ninth day of The Twelve Days of a Tony Bennett Christmas, is “White Christmas.”

About This Song

“White Christmas” was written in 1940 by Irving Berlin. It’s one of America’s most beloved Christmas songs. In the not-often heard verse of the song, we hear that

The sun is shining, the grass is green, the orange and palm trees sway, there’s never been such a day in Beverly Hills, L.A. But it’s December the 24th …

And indeed, Irving Berlin was in Los Angeles when he wrote “White Christmas,” expressing that longing for a traditional back-home Christmas. Bing Crosby recorded the song in 1942 and completely dominated the music charts for weeks. Crosby’s single “White Christmas” is the biggest-selling single record of all time, worldwide, at over 100 million copies.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “White Christmas” in May 1987 and was released that year on Bennett/Berlin. This song was arranged by Tony Bennett and features Dexter Gordon on tenor saxophone.

“White Christmas,” as well as Bennett/Berlin is available on Apple Music.

And here’s that Bing Crosby recording from 1942:

Filed Under: Song of the Day Tagged With: Bennett/Berlin, Bing Crosby, Dexter Gordon, Irving Berlin, Tony Bennett

October 30, 2022 By Suzanne Leave a Comment

Song of the Day: But Beautiful

The song of the day for Monday, October 31, 2022, is “But Beautiful.”

About This Song

“But Beautiful” was written in 1947 by Jimmy Van Heusen and Johnny Burke. The song was written for Bing Crosby to sing in the movie The Road to Rio. This song has been widely recorded, including recordings by Bill Evans, Johnny Hartman, Billie Holiday, Gregory Porter, Frank Sinatra, and Nat King Cole.

About This Version

Bill Evans and Tony Bennett recorded “But Beautiful” in June 1975 for The Tony Bennett/Bill Evans Album.

“But Beautiful,” as well as The Tony Bennett/Bill Evans Album is available on Apple Music.

Filed Under: Song of the Day Tagged With: Bill Evans, Bing Crosby, Jimmy Van Heusen, Johnny Burket, The Road To Rio, The Tony Bennett/Bill Evans Album, Tony Bennett

July 26, 2021 By Suzanne Leave a Comment

Song of the Day: Swinging on a Star

The song of the day for Monday, July 27, 2021, is “Swinging on a Star.”

About This Song

“Swinging on a Star” was written in 1944 by the songwriting team of Jimmy Van Heusen and Johnny Burke. It was written for the movie Going My Way, starring Bing Crosby, and won the Academy Award for Best Original Song for that year. Crosby recorded a very successful version of the song in 1944. Other recordings include those by Rosemary Clooney, Burl Ives, and Ruby Braff, among many others.

This was my favorite song when I was 5 years old. I have a distinct memory of singing it, loudly, in the kitchen while my Mom was making dinner. I don’t remember how my performance was received, though I suspect I was lucky to not have been told to shut up.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “Swinging on a Star” in 1998 for his album of music for children The Playground. There’s some nice work from bassist Paul Langosch on this recording.

Swinging On A Star

Listen to Swinging On A Star on Spotify. Tony Bennett · Song · 1998.

“Swinging on a Star,” as well as The Playground is available on Apple Music.

Filed Under: Song of the Day Tagged With: Bing Crosby, Jimmy Van Heusen, Johnny Burke, Paul Langosch, The Playground, Tony Bennett

December 21, 2016 By Suzanne Leave a Comment

Song of the Day: White Christmas

Today is the ninth day of The Twelve Days of a Tony Bennett Christmas.
The song of the day for Thursday, December 22, 2016 is “White Christmas.”

About This Song

“White Christmas,” written by Irving Berlin in 1940, is one of America’s most beloved Christmas songs. In the not-often heard verse of the song, we hear that “the sun is shining, the grass is green, the orange and palm trees sway, there’s never been such a day in Beverly Hills, L.A. But it’s December the 24 …” And indeed, Irving Berlin was in Los Angeles when he wrote “White Christmas,” expressing that longing for a traditional back-home Christmas. Bing Crosby recorded the song in 1942 and completely dominated the music charts for weeks. Crosby’s single of “White Christmas” is the biggest-selling single record of all time, worldwide, at over 100-million copies.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded this version of “White Christmas” in 1987 for his album of Irving Berlin songs: Bennett/Berlin. The tenor saxophone is from the great Dexter Gordon.

White Christmas - 1987 Version

Listen to White Christmas - 1987 Version on Spotify. Tony Bennett · Song · 1987.


“White Christmas,” as well as Bennett/Berlin, is available from iTunes.

Filed Under: Song of the Day Tagged With: Bennet/Berlin, Bing Crosby, Dexter Gordon, Irving Berlin, Tony Bennett

May 13, 2016 By Suzanne Leave a Comment

Song of the Day: White Christmas

The song of the day for Saturday, Mary 14, 2016 is “White Christmas.”

About This Song

“White Christmas” is one of America’s most beloved Christmas songs. In the not-often heard verse of the song, we hear that “the sun is shining, the grass is green, the orange and palm trees sway, there’s never been such a day in Beverly Hills, L.A. But it’s December the 24 …” And indeed, Irving Berlin was in Los Angeles when he wrote “White Christmas” in 1940, expressing that longing for a traditional back-home Christmas. Bing Crosby recorded the song in 1941 and completely dominated the music charts for weeks. Crosby’s single of “White Christmas” is the biggest-selling single record of all time, worldwide, at over 100-million copies.

About This Version

I adore this version of “White Christmas” from Bennett/Berlin, recorded in 1987. The song features the great Dexter Gordon on tenor saxophone, along with the Ralph Sharon Trio, with Paul Langosch on bass and Joe LaBarbera on drums. This is one of the finest jazz recordings of a holiday song that I’ve ever heard.

White Christmas - 1987 Version

Listen to White Christmas - 1987 Version on Spotify. Tony Bennett · Song · 1987.


“White Christmas,” as well as Bennett/Berlin, is available from iTunes.

About Today

It was 90 degrees when I was driving home today and then and there I decided that today was the day to feature “White Christmas,” as no tribute to the music of Irving Berlin would be complete without acknowledging this song.

There is a lovely video of “White Christmas” featuring Tony, Dexter Gordon, and the Ralph Sharon Trio, stopping in an inn on a snowy Christmas Eve and singing this song. Alas, it seems to have disappeared off the Internet. Instead, here’s Tony Bennett singing it live at Rockefeller Center in 2011. May all your Christmases be bright.

Filed Under: Song of the Day Tagged With: Bennett/Berlin, Bing Crosby, Dexter Gordon, Irving Berlin, Ralph Sharon Trio

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