The Year of Tony Bennett

An Appreciation of the Art and Music of Tony Bennett

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Playlist of the Week: Tony Loves a Gershwin Tune

The playlist for the week of September 22, 2019, is Tony Loves a Gershwin Tune. This week we are celebrating the birth of the great George Gershwin, who was born on September 26, 1989 in Brooklyn. Working most often with his brother Ira Gershwin, Gershwin wrote many of the most beloved songs from the American Songbook.

Our playlist this weekend is bookended by the song “Fascinatin’ Rhythm.” The first is a demo Bennett recorded in 1949; the second is a duet with Diana Krall from their 2018 album Love Is Here To Stay.

All lyrics written by Ira Gershwin unless otherwise noted.

Fascinatin’ Rhythm from Rarities, Outtakes & Other Delights, Vol. 1
Strike Up the Band from Basie Swings, Tony Sings
I Got Rhythm from Love is Here to Stay, with Diana Krall
The Girl I Love from Astoria: Portrait of the Artist
Shall We Dance from Steppin’ Out
Who Cares? from Steppin’ Out
They Can’t Take That Away From Me from Steppin’ Out
He Loves and She Loves from Steppin’ Out
I’ve Got a Crush On You from Love is Here to Stay, with Diana Krall
Love is Here to Stay from Love is Here to Stay, with Diana Krall
Do It Again (lyrics by Buddy DeSylva) from Love is Here to Stay, with Diana Krall
Nice Work If You Can Get It from Love is Here to Stay, with Diana Krall
Somebody Loves Me (lyrics by Buddy DeSylva and Ballard MacDonald) from Love is Here to Stay, with Diana Krall
Fascinating Rhythm from Love is Here to Stay, with Diana Krall

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Playlist of the Week: Tony Loves Jerome Kern

The playlist of the week for July 14, 2019, is Tony Loves Jerome Kern.

This week’s consists of songs written by Jerome Kern, who wrote some of the most beautiful songs of the 20th century. As Bill Charlap said about Kern:

Jerome Kern is the angel at the top of the tree for American popular songwriters and writers of the theater. He influenced George Gershwin. He influenced Richard Rodgers. He influenced all of the songwriters.

Tony Loves Jerome Kern

This week our playlist explores the songs of Jerome Kern. Tony Bennett has a special feel for Kern's songs, as do I and many of his fans.

The Way You Look Tonight, lyrics by Dorothy Fields, written in 1936
Make Believe, lyrics by Oscar Hammerstein, written in 1927
All The Things You Are, lyrics by Oscar Hammerstein, written in 1939
Ol’ Man River, lyrics by Oscar Hammerstein, written in 1927
I’m Old Fashioned, lyrics by Johnny Mercer, written in 1942
I Won’t Dance, lyrics by Jimmy McHugh and Dorothy Fields, written in 1934
Nobody Else But Me, lyrics by Oscar Hammerstein, written in 1946
They Didn’t Believe Me, lyrics by Herbert Reynolds, written 1914
Long Ago and Far Away, lyrics by Ira Gershwin, written in 1944
Look for the Silver Lining, lyrics by Buddy DeSylva, written in 1919

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Song of the Day: Do It Again

The song of the day for Wednesday, June 5, 2019, is “Do It Again.”

About This Song

Today’s song, “Do It Again,” was composed by George Gershwin, with lyrics by Buddy DeSylva. The song was used for the 1922 show The French Doll, at the insistence of the star Irène Bordon. George Gershwin told this story in 1934:

I was in the office of Max Dreyfus, my publisher, one day when Buddy DeSylva walked in. DeSylva said jokingly to me, “George, let’s write a hit!” I matched him by saying, “O.K.!” I sat down at the piano, and began playing a theme which I was composing on the spot. Buddy listened for a few minutes and then began chanting this title-—”Oh, Do It Again!,” which he had just fitted to my theme.

About This Version

Tony Bennett and Diana Krall recorded “Do It Again” for the 2018 album Love Is Here To Stay. The album features The Bill Charlap Trio, with Charlap on piano, Peter Washington on bass, and Kenny Washington on drums. In addition, Charlap did the arrangments for the album.

Do It Again

Do It Again, a song by Tony Bennett, Diana Krall on Spotify

“Do It Again,” as well as Love Is Here To Stay, is available from iTunes.

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Song of the Day: Keep Smiling at Trouble

The song of the day for Tuesday, June 12, 2018 is “Keep Smiling at Trouble.”

About This Song

“Keep Smiling at Trouble” was written in 1924, with music by Lewis Gensler and lyrics by Al Jolson and Buddy DeSylva. The song was first recorded by Fred Waring’s Pennsylvanians in 1924, with vocals by his brother, Tom Waring. Other noted recordings include those by Jolson, Ruby Braff, Tommy Dorsey, Della Reese and Bobby Hackett.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “Keep Smiling at Trouble” in 1963 for his album This Is All I Ask.

Keep Smiling At Trouble (Trouble"s A Bubble)

Listen to Keep Smiling At Trouble (Trouble"s A Bubble) on Spotify. Song · Tony Bennett · 1963


“Keep Smiling at Trouble,” as well as This Is All I Ask, is available from iTunes.

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Song of the Day: Look For The Silver Lining

The song of the day for Sunday, December 31, 2017 is “Look For The Silver Lining.”

About This Song

“Look for the Silver Lining” was written in 1919 (!) by Jerome Kern, with lyrics by B.G. (Buddy) DeSylva, for the musical Zip, Goes a Million and again in 1920 for a musical named Sally. The song has remained popular ever since; at 98 years old, it’s a great song.

About This Version

Tony Bennett and Bill Charlap recorded “Look for the Silver Lining” for the album The Silver Lining: The Songs of Jerome Kern, released in 2015. It won the Best Traditional Pop Vocal Album at the 58th Annual Grammy Awards.

Look For the Silver Lining

Tony Bennett, Bill Charlap · The Silver Lining - The Songs of Jerome Kern · Song · 2015


“Look For The Silver Lining,” as well as The Silver Lining: The Songs of Jerome Kern, is available from iTunes.