The Year of Tony Bennett

An Appreciation of the Art and Music of Tony Bennett

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Song of the Day: The Lady’s In Love With You

The song of the day for Sunday, June 29, 2014 is “The Lady’s In Love With You.”

About This Song

“The Lady’s In Love With You” was written by Frank Loesser and Burton Lane for the 1939 film Some Like It Hot (not to be confused with the excellent 1959 Billy Wilder film), where it was introduced by Bob Hope and Shirley Ross. It’s been widely recorded, including those by Tony Bennett, Glenn Miller, Margaret Whiting, and Michael Feinstein.

The Year of Tony Bennett would like to remember the great American songwriter Frank Loesser, who was born on this day, June 29, in 1910. Loesser had a remarkable career as the writer of Guys and Dolls, How To Succeed In Business Without Really Trying and the remarkable The Most Happy Fella. He also wrote for films, including today’s song and “They’re Either Too Young or Too Old” for Stage Door Canteen.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded this song in 1967 for his album Tony Makes It Happen! This album also features another Loesser song, “Can’t Get Out Of This Mood.” The album was arranged and conducted by Marion Evans.

http://open.spotify.com/track/196IZPSQKytH80IeAzzT4b
“The Lady’s In Love With You,” as well as the album Tony Makes It Happen!, is available from iTunes.

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Song of the Day: You’re All the World To Me

The song of the day for Thursday, June 19, 2014 is “You’re All The World To Me.”

About This Song

“You’re All The World To Me” was written in 1950 by Burton Lane and Alan Jay Lerner for the wonderful 1951 Fred Astaire film Royal Wedding. This is the song of Astaire’s famous dancing on the ceiling number.

About This Version

Both of us woke up this morning, independently, thinking about how much we wanted to see Tony Bennett in concert. It was a powerful wish, as at 10:00 am I got an email from the Oregon Symphony letting me know that Tony Bennett, along with his daughter Antonia, would be performing on November 5 here in Portland, Oregon. (Needless to say, I’ve already bought my tickets.) As a result of thinking of this upcoming concert, I have been in a mood for Bennett’s live recorded concerts.

In that frame of mind, I chose “You’re All The World To Me,” from his 1994 MTV Unplugged concert.

http://open.spotify.com/track/5HlMUQuzjkdhv5Y7ix2HZR
“You’re All The World To Me,” as well as the concert recording of MTV Unplugged, is available from iTunes.

Even after I learned how this shot was accomplished, I never cease to wonder at this number. Thanks to YouTube, I’m able to share it today:

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Song of the Day: Old Devil Moon

The song of the day for March 17, 2014, St. Patrick’s Day, is “Old Devil Moon.”

About This Song

“Old Devil Moon” was composed by Burton Lane with lyrics by E.Y. “Yip” Harburg in 1947 for the Broadway musical Finian’s Rainbow. The musical concerns an Irishman named Finian who moves to the fictional state of Missitucky in the United States. Along with his daughter, he hopes to bury a stolen pot of gold near Fort Knox in hopes that it will grow. Meantime, the leprechaun from whom the gold was stolen has followed them and hopes to recover his treasure. Antics ensue.

About This Version

Tony Bennett included “Old Devil Moon” on is first full-length album, Cloud 7, released in 1955. After five years of recording hits for Mitch Miller, Bennett set out to record a jazz album and the result is this wonderful album. This song was arranged by guitarist Chuck Wayne.

http://open.spotify.com/track/7mEmBTaTM3l9bsIoQ2HS7P
“Old Devil Moon,” as well as the album Cloud 7, is available from iTunes.

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Song of the Day: Moments Like This

The song of the day for Wednesday, November 27, 2013 is “Moments Like This.”

About This Song

“Moments Like This” was written by Burton Lane (music) and Frank Loesser (lyrics) for the 1938 movie College Swing, starring Florence George, who introduced the song. It is a great ballad and got several good recordings when it was first released, including those by Maxine Sullivan, Dick Stabile and His Orchestra, and Teddy Wilson. Tony Bennett is credited (by Thomas Hischak in The American Musical Film Song Encyclopedia) for generating new interest in the song with his 1986 recording.

About This Version

Today’s song is from what is, as far as I’m concerned, the greatest come-back album ever: The Art of Excellence. And excellent it was. The album was produced by Danny Bennett and Ettore Stratta, whose song “Forget The Woman” was included on the album. The Ralph Sharon Trio, with Paul Langosch on bass and Joe LaBarbera on drums, played on the album. The orchestra was conducted by the Argentine composer, arranger and orchestrator Jorge Calandrelli. Mr. Calandrelli continues to work with Tony Bennett on his albums up to today. The great cover photography is by Annie Leibowitz. Excellence everywhere. Including today’s song.

http://open.spotify.com/track/4IqXiFVYg0cw1QyjxNuqvL
“Moments Like This,” as well as The Art of Excellence, is available from iTunes and Amazon.

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Song of the Day: Old Devil Moon

The song of the day for Thursday, September 5, 2013 is “Old Devil Moon.”

About This Song

“Old Devil Moon” was written for the 1947 musical Finian’s Rainbow by Burton Lane, with lyrics by Yip Harburg. Finian’s Rainbow also gave us “How Are Things in Glocca Morra?” While Alec Wilder was no fan of “How Are Things in Glocca Morra?”, in America Popular Song, he praises “Old Devil Moon” as “a well-written, wholly convincing song. It drives, and its initial intensity is sustained throughout.”

About This Version

Today’s version is from Tony Bennett’s legendary 1971 concert with The London Philharmonic Orchestra, conducted by Robert Farnon.

From the review in The Stage:

“This evening has been the most exciting and greatest episode in my singing career” Tony Bennett told The Stage after the magnificent performance he at the Albert Hall in aid of The London Philharmonic Orchestra’s Nation Appeal Fund.

A great ovation was given to Tony Bennett when he bounced on stage and opened with a snappy number “I Want To Be Happy.”

Nothing fancy — no gimmicks, just excellent singing of many of the songs that have made him world famous.

A wonderful performance that made his ecstatic fans go wild with applause.

http://open.spotify.com/track/5aV8dSbhVggrfNlutQE5G3
“Old Devil Moon,” as well as the Get Happy with The London Philharmonic Orchestra concert recording, is available from iTunes.