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The Year of Tony Bennett

An Appreciation of the Art and Music of Tony Bennett

March 3, 2022 By Suzanne Leave a Comment

Song of the Day: Lazy Afternoon

The song of the day for Friday, March 4, 2022, is “Lazy Afternoon.”

About This Song

“Lazy Afternoon” was written by Jerome Moss and John LaTouche for the 1954 musical The Golden Apple, which uses mythological Greek characters from Ulysses but is set in the state of Washington (at Mount Olympia, of course) in the United States. This song, as well as the entire score, is quite beautiful.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “Lazy Afternoon” in 1957 for The Beat Of My Heart. For this album, Bennett invited percussionists to play; “Lazy Afternoon” features Chico Hamilton. Ralph Sharon wrote the arragements.

“Lazy Afternoon,” as well as The Beat Of My Heart is available on Apple Music.

Filed Under: Song of the Day Tagged With: Chico Hamilton, Jerome Moss, John Latouche, Ralph Sharon, The Beat of My Heart, Tony Bennett

January 15, 2022 By Suzanne Leave a Comment

Album of the Week: The Beat of My Heart

The album of the week starting on January 16, 2022, is The Beat of My Heart.



The Beat of My Heart was conceived and planned by Tony Bennett and his new musical director, Ralph Sharon. Bennett wanted to return to his jazz roots with this, his third LP. Bennett relates stories about this album in his autobiography, The Good Life:

Ralph and I wanted to make a jazz statement in a big way, and I came up with the idea of recording an album of standards that put the spotlight on different kinds of rhythm by using all the great jazz drummers I could find. We talked the concept over during our first few months on the road, and gradually it all came together. The first recording date was in June 1957, with Chico Hamilton. I was delighted with the results, particularly with the tongue-twisting. super-percussive title track, “The Beat of My Heart.” Mitch came to the first recording date, but was unusually quiet. Maybe he hoped he was giving us enough rope to hang ourselves. But when the album came out, an army of jazz fans said, Hey, this guy knows how to swing. A whole new audience accepted me—in fact, I still get my biggest reactions at jazz festivals the world over.

Album Facts

Release Date December 1, 1957
Label Columbia (CL-1079)
Producers Mitch Miller, Al Ham
Vocals Tony Bennett
Arrangements Ralph Sharon, Tony Bennett
Piano Ralph Sharon
Percussion Art Blakey, Chico Hamilton, Jo Jones, Candido Camero, Sabu Martinez, Billy Exiner
Tenor Sax Al Cohn
Trumpet Nat Adderly
Trombone Robert Alexander, Jim Dahl, Kai Winding
Flute Herbie Mann, Spencer Sinatra, William Slapin
Vibes Eddie Costa
Guitar John Pisano
Bass Milt Hinton, Eddie Saranski, James Bond

Listen to The Beat of My Heart

You can also listen to The Beat of My Heart on:

  • Apple Music
  • Amazon Music player
  • Qobuz
  • YouTube Music
  • Pandora

Filed Under: Album of the Week Tagged With: Art Blakey, Billy Exiner, Candido Camera, Chico Hamilton, Jo Jones, Mitch Miller, Ralph Sharon, Sabu Martinez

January 16, 2021 By Suzanne Leave a Comment

Song of the Day: Crazy Rhythm

The song of the day for Sunday, January 17, 2021, is “Crazy Rhythm.”

About This Song

“Crazy Rhythm” was composed by Joseph Meyer and Roger Wolfe Kahn, with lyrics by Irving Caesar. It was written for the 1929 musical Here’s Howe. It’s been a popular standard since it was written and has been heavily recorded, not just by jazz and popular artists, but other genres including hillbilly. Significant recordings include those by Chet Atkins, Les Paul, Stan Getz, Bing Crosby, Bix Beiderbecke, and Whispering Jack Smith.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “Crazy Rhythm” in 1957 for his second jazz album, The Beat of My Heart. It features Chico Hamilton on drums. Ralph Sharon arranged all of songs on the album.

Crazy Rhythm

Listen to Crazy Rhythm on Spotify. Tony Bennett · Song · 1957.

“Crazy Rhythm,” as well as The Beat of My Heart, is available from Apple Music.

Filed Under: Song of the Day Tagged With: Chico Hamilton, Irving Caesar, Joseph Meyer, Ralph Sharon, Roger Wolfe Kahn, The Beat of My Heart, Tony Bennett

August 25, 2020 By Suzanne Leave a Comment

Song of the Day: So Beats My Heart For You

The song of the day for Wednesday, August 26, 2020, is “So Beats My Heart For You.”

About This Song

“So Beats My Heart For You” was written in 1930 by Fat Ballard, Charles Henderson, and Tom Waring. As one of the songwriters, Tom Waring, was the brother of Fred Waring, “So Beats My Heart For You,” was recorded by Fred Waring and His Pennsylvanians.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “So Beats My Heart For You” in 1957 for his second jazz album, The Beat of My Heart. For this album, Bennett featured noted percussionists; this song featured Chico Hamilton. This was his first album that featured pianist Ralph Sharon. The entire album was conceived and arranged by Tony Bennett and Ralph Sharon.

“So Beats My Heart For You,” as well as The Beat of My Heart, is available from Apple Music.

Filed Under: Song of the Day Tagged With: Charles Henderson, Chico Hamilton, Fat Ballard, Ralph Sharon, Tom Waring, Tony Bennett

April 10, 2019 By Suzanne Leave a Comment

Song of the Day: Crazy Rhythm

The song of the day for Thursday, April 11, 2019, is “Crazy Rhythm.”

About This Song

“Crazy Rhythm” was composed by Joseph Meyer and Roger Wolfe Kahn (music) and Irving Caesar (lyrics) in 1929 for the musical Here’s Howe. It’s been a popular standard since it was written and has been heavily recorded, not just by jazz and popular artists, but other genres including hillbilly. Significant recordings include those by Chet Atkins, Les Paul, Stan Getz, Bing Crosby, Bix Beiderbecke, and Whispering Jack Smith.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded this version of “Crazy Rhythm” for Bennett’s 1957 album The Beat of My Heart. For this album, Bennett assembled the best jazz drummers and percussionists to perform on this album. “Crazy Rhythm” features Chico Hamilton.

Crazy Rhythm

Crazy Rhythm, a song by Tony Bennett on Spotify

“Crazy Rhythm,” as well as The Beat of My Heart, is available from iTunes.

Filed Under: Song of the Day Tagged With: Chico Hamilton, Irving Caesar, Joseph Meyer, Roger Wolfe Kahn, The Beat of My Heart, Tony Bennett

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