The Year of Tony Bennett

An Appreciation of the Art and Music of Tony Bennett

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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

℗ Originally Recorded 1957 SONY BMG MUSIC ENTERTAINMENT. Originally Released 1957 SONY BMG MUSIC ENTERTAINMENT. WARNING: All rights reserved. Unauthorized duplication is a violation of applicable laws.

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

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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.

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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.

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Song of the Day: That Old Black Magic

The song of the day for Friday, February 3, 2018 is “That Old Black Magic.”

About This Song

“That Old Black Magic” was written by Harold Arlen and Johnny Mercer in 1942 for the movie Star Spangled Rhythm. The popularity of the song has long outlived the movie it was written form. Glenn Miller made the first recording in 1942. Over the years, it has been recorded many times by many artists. It has also been used in other films, notably the 1956 Bus Stop, where it was sung by Marilyn Monroe.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “That Old Black Magic” three times 1962. Two were live recordings (one from his Carnegie Hall concert in June and the other at the White House in August). Today I’m featuring his first version, recorded on March 13, 1962, along with several other songs, all for the unreleased On The Glory Road. Thankfully, that album is now available, at least for downloading. Ralph Sharon wrote the arrangement and conducted the orchestra. This recording also features Chico Hamilton on drums.

That Old Black Magic

Listen to That Old Black Magic on Spotify. Tony Bennett · Song · 1962.


“That Old Black Magic,” as well as On The Glory Road, is available from iTunes.

About Today

I found this nice video of Tony and his quartet performing “That Old Black Magic” on the Rachel Ray show from 2013. Enjoy!

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Song of the Day: Caravan

The song of the day for Tuesday, April 12, 2016 is “Caravan.”

About This Song

Duke Ellington and Juan Tirol wrote “Caravan” in 1936, with lyrics by Irving Mills. Caravan is one of the most popular Duke Ellington songs and has been recorded steadily over the years. In Jazz Standards, Al Gioia attributes its popularity as a jazz song due to “the composition’s adaptability to a modernistic, modal-based approach.”

About This Version

Today’s recording is from 1962 and was almost lost forever. It’s from Tony Bennett’s album On The Glory Road, which was due to be released in 1962 but was pulled at the last moment. Thankfully, the album was released in the 2011 Complete Collection boxed set and is now also available on iTunes. “Caravan” was arranged and conducted by Ralph Sharon and features percussion by Chico Hamilton.

Caravan

Listen to Caravan on Spotify. Tony Bennett · Song · 1962.


“Caravan,” as well as On The Glory Road, is available from iTunes.

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