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The Year of Tony Bennett

An Appreciation of the Art and Music of Tony Bennett

February 17, 2022 By Suzanne Leave a Comment

Song of the Day: Happiness Is A Thing Called Joe

The song of the day for Friday, February 18, 2022, is “Happiness Is A Thing Called Joe.”

About This Song

“Happiness Is A Thing Called Joe” was written by Harold Arlen and Yip Harburg for the 1940 Broadway musical Cabin in the Sky, starring Ethel Waters and Dooley Wilson. The song was introduced by Ethel Waters, sung to her husband Joe, played by Dooley Wilson. The 1943 film version of Cabin in the Sky also featured Miss Waters with the role of Joe played by Eddie Anderson.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “Happiness Is A Thing Called Joe” with Ralph Sharon for their album Tony Sings For Two.

“Happiness Is A Thing Called Joe,” as well as Tony Sings For Two is available on Apple Music.

Filed Under: Song of the Day Tagged With: Cabin in the Sky, Harold Arlen, Ralph Sharon, Tony Bennett, Tony Sings for Two, Yip Harburg

June 23, 2021 By Suzanne Leave a Comment

Song of the Day: Taking a Chance on Love

The song of the day for Thursday, June 24, 2021, is “Taking a Chance on Love.”

About This Song

“Taking a Chance on Love” was written in 1940 by Vernon Duke, with lyrics by John La Touche and Ted Fetter, for the 1940 Broadway musical Cabin in the Sky, where it was introduced by the great Ethel Waters and Dooley Wilson. The song works well for both jazz singers and instrumentalists, with significant recordings by Dave Brubeck, Tony Bennett, Judy Garland, and Dizzy Gillespie.

About This Version

Tony Bennett sang “Taking a Chance on Love” on June 9, 1962, at his Carnegie Hall concert, recorded for the album Tony Bennett At Carnegie Hall. Prior to the concert, Bennett had recorded “Taking a Chance on Love” twice: in 1956 the album Tony and again in 1958 with The Count Basie Orchestra for In Person!

Taking A Chance On Love (From "Cabin In The Sky") (with Ralph Sharon & his Orchestra) - Live at Carnegie Hall, New York, NY - June 1962

Listen to Taking A Chance On Love (From "Cabin In The Sky") (with Ralph Sharon & his Orchestra) - Live at Carnegie Hall, New York, NY - June 1962 on Spotify. Tony Bennett · Song · 1962.

“Taking a Chance on Love,” as well as Tony Bennett At Carnegie Hall is available on Apple Music.

Filed Under: Song of the Day Tagged With: Cabin in the Sky, John La Touche, Ted Fetter, Tony Bennett, Tony Bennett at Carnegie Hall, Vernon Duke

April 8, 2021 By Suzanne Leave a Comment

Song of the Day: Taking a Chance on Love

The song of the day for Friday, April 9, 2021, is “Taking a Chance on Love.”

About This Song

“Taking a Chance on Love” was written by Vernon Duke, John La Touche, and Ted Fetter for the 1940 musical Cabin in the Sky, where it was introduced by the great Ethel Waters and Dooley Wilson. The song works well for both jazz singers and instrumentalists, with significant recordings by Dave Brubeck, Tony Bennett, Judy Garland, and Dizzy Gillespie.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded this version of “Taking a Chance on Love” in 1958 with Count Basie and His Orchestra for the album In Person!, released in 1959.

Taking A Chance On Love

Listen to Taking A Chance On Love on Spotify. Tony Bennett · Song · 1959.

“Taking a Chance on Love,” as well as In Person!, is available from Apple Music.

Filed Under: Song of the Day Tagged With: Cabin in the Sky, Count Basie and His Orchestra, John La Touche, Ted Fetter, Tony Bennett, Vernon Duke

November 2, 2020 By Suzanne 1 Comment

Song of the Day: Happiness is a Thing Called Joe

The song of the day for Tuesday, November 3, 2020, is “Happiness is a Thing Called Joe.”

About This Song

“Happiness is a Thing Called Joe” was written by Harold Arlen and Yip Harburg for the 1940 Broadway musical Cabin in the Sky, starring Ethel Waters and Dooley Wilson. The song was introduced by Ethel Waters, sung to her husband Joe, played by Dooley Wilson. The 1943 film version of Cabin in the Sky also featured Miss Waters with the role of Joe played by Eddie Anderson.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “Happiness is a Thing Called Joe” in 1959 with Ralph Sharon for their landmark album Tony Sings For Two, released in 1962.

Happiness Is A Thing Called Joe

Listen to Happiness Is A Thing Called Joe on Spotify. Tony Bennett · Song · 1961.

“Happiness is a Thing Called Joe,” as well as Tony Sings For Two, is available from Apple Music.

Filed Under: Song of the Day Tagged With: Cabin in the Sky, Harold Arlen, Ralph Sharon, Tony Bennett, Tony Songs For Two, Yip Harburg

August 20, 2019 By Suzanne Leave a Comment

Song of the Day: Taking a Chance on Love

The song of the day for Wednesday, August 21, 2019, is “Taking a Chance on Love.”

About Today

Today we are celebrating the life and music of William James Basie, who was born in Red Bank, New Jersey, on August 21, 1904. In addition to his fine work on the piano, Count Basie was one of best and longest-lasting big band leaders. He founded the Count Basie Orchestra in 1935 and that orchestra is still playing today. Some of America’s finest jazz musicians played with Basie, including Buck Clayton, Lester Young, Thad Jones, Jo J0nes, Buddy Rich, and Paul Gonsalves are just a few of former members of the Count Basie Orchestra. Harold Jones, called Count Basie’s favorite drummer, currently plays in Tony Bennett’s quartet.

About This Song

“Taking a Chance on Love” was written by Vernon Duke, with lyrics by John LaTouche and Ted Fetter, for the 1940 BRoadway musical Cabin in the Sky, where it was introduced by the great Ethel Waters and Dooley Wilson. The song works well for both jazz singers and instrumentalists, with significant recordings by Dave Brubeck, Tony Bennett, Judy Garland, and Dizzy Gillespie.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “Taking a Chance on Love” in 1958 for his second album with Count Basie and His Orchestra, In Person!, released in 1959. Ralph Sharon wrote the arrangement.

Taking A Chance On Love

Listen to Taking A Chance On Love on Spotify. Tony Bennett · Song · 1959.

“Taking a Chance on Love,” as well as In Person!, is available from iTunes.

Filed Under: About His Collaborators, Song of the Day Tagged With: Cabin in the Sky, Count Basie, Count Basie and His Orchestra, Happy Birthday Count Basie, John Latouche, Ralph Sharon, Ted Fetter, Tony Bennett, Vernon Duke

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