The Year of Tony Bennett

An Appreciation of the Art and Music of Tony Bennett

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Song of the Day: But Beautiful

The song of the day for Saturday, January 31, 2015 is “But Beautiful.”

About This Song

Today’s song, “But Beautiful,” was written in 1947 by Jimmy Van Heusen and Johnny Burke. It was written for Bing Crosby to sing in the 1947 movie The Road to Rio. The 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

Tony Bennett recorded “But Beautiful” in 1975 with Bill Evans for their groundbreaking The Tony Bennett Bill Evans Album. Widely admired by critics and fans of both musicians, it is an extraordinary jazz outing. Every song on the album is wonderful; “But Beautiful” is one of the best.

But Beautiful

Bill Evans, Tony Bennett · The Tony Bennett / Bill Evans Album (Expanded Edition) · Song · 1975


“But Beautiful,” as well as The Tony Bennett Bill Evans Album, is available from iTunes.

About Today

Once again, it’s Saturday. Tony Bennett and Lady Gaga recorded “But Beautiful” for their new album, Cheek To Cheek and that is today’s video.

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Song of the Day: Nature Boy

The song of the day for Thursday, January 22, 2015 is “Nature Boy.”

About This Song

“Nature Boy” was written in 1947 by eden ahbez, the name adopted by George Alexander Aberle, who was born in Brooklyn, New York in 1908. In the 1930s, he lived in Kansas City and worked as a pianist and band leader. In the early 1940s, he moved to Los Angeles and began playing piano in a health food and raw food store run by John and Vera Richter, who followed a Naturmensch and Lebensreform philosophy influenced by the Wandervogel movement in Germany. In following their philosophy, he and other followers grew their hair long, became vegetarians and were, for all practical purposes, the earliest hippies. They called themselves The Nature Boys.

At the suggestion of Johnny Mercer, eden ahbez approached Nat King Cole with his song “Nature Boy.” Unable to meet with Nat Cole personally, he left the song with Cole’s valet. Cole began to perform the song in his concerts; in 1947 he recorded it for Capitol Records, with an arrangement by Frank DeVol, who used strings and flute in his orchestration. The song was a big hit for Nat Cole and Capitol Records.

About This Version

Tony Bennett and Lady Gaga recorded “Nature Boy” for their 2014 album Cheek To Cheek. The arrangement is by Jorge Calandrelli and the beautiful flute solo is by the late Paul Horn.

About Today

I just received my DVD of the live Cheek To Cheek concert, which has songs that didn’t appear in the PBS broadcast. I love this DVD so much … I think it’s going to have a permanent spot in my DVD player for a while.

Nature Boy

Listen to Nature Boy on Spotify. Song · Tony Bennett, Lady Gaga · 2014


“Nature Boy,” as well as the album Cheek To Cheek, is available from iTunes.

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Song of the Day: It Don’t Mean A Thing If It Ain’t Got That Swing

The song of the day for Saturday, January 10, 2015 is “It Don’t Mean A Thing If It Ain’t Got That Swing.”

About This Song

This song, written by Duke Ellington (with lyrics by Irving Mills) in 1931, was one of the first songs to use the word “swing” in the title and this song certainly defined what it meant to swing. Ellington recorded the song with Ivie Anderson on vocals and it was an immediate hit. It has been widely recorded since it was written and the song is a lot of fun to play and to listen to. Significant recordings include those by Louis Armstrong, Django Reinhardt, Gigi Gryce, Tony Bennett and Thelonious Monk.

About This Version

Today’s version is from Tony’s latest album: Cheek to Cheek, with Lady Gaga. And yes, it really does swing. The arrangement is by the great Marion Evans.

It Don"t Mean A Thing (If It Ain"t Got That Swing)

Listen to It Don"t Mean A Thing (If It Ain"t Got That Swing) on Spotify. Song · Tony Bennett, Lady Gaga · 2014


“It Don’t Mean A Thing If It Ain’t Got That Swing,” as well as the album Cheek To Cheek, is available from iTunes.

About Today

Yes, it’s Saturday and that means a video. Here’s Tony singing today’s song with some really exceptional drumming from Clayton Cameron.

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Ani Loves Cheek To Cheek

Who is Ani? Well, Ani is my new cat that we found under a bush up the block. It was love at first sight. Ani had her spay surgery on Thursday and I’m nursing her and keeping her isolated in my room until she is recovered.

Well, she’s feeling pretty frisky and since yesterday has spent a lot of time walking around on my desk looking for things to play with.

Three times since last night, she has been walking on the keyboard and, somehow, walks on a key that starts Spotify playing Cheek To Cheek.

That cat has great taste! No wonder it was love at first sight.

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Song of the Day: Let’s Face The Music and Dance

The song of the day for Sunday, October 26, 2014 is “Let’s Face The Music And Dance.”

About This Song

“Let’s Face the Music and Dance” was written by Irving Berlin in 1936 for the film Follow the Fleet, starring Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers. The Astaire – Rogers dance to this song is considered one of their best. It has also been recorded by singers including Frank Sinatra and Nat King Cole.

About This Version

Today’s version of “Let’s Face The Music And Dance” is Bennett’s newest: his duet with Lady Gaga from their new album Cheek To Cheek. The great arrangement is by the very great Marion Evans.

Let"s Face The Music And Dance

Listen to Let"s Face The Music And Dance on Spotify. Song · Tony Bennett, Lady Gaga · 2014

“Let’s Face The Music And Dance,” as well as the album Cheek To Cheek is available from iTunes.