The Year of Tony Bennett

An Appreciation of the Art and Music of Tony Bennett

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Song of the Day: Caravan

The song of the day for Monday, January 6, 2025, is “Caravan.”

About This Song

Duke Ellington and Juan Tizol 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 The 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

Tony Bennett recorded “Caravan” on March 16, 1962, for his 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 available on streaming services. “Caravan” was arranged and conducted by Ralph Sharon, featuring Chico Hamilton and Jo Jones on percussion.

“Caravan,” as well as On The Glory Road, 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 Friday, October 25, 2024, 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 featured by Fred Waring and His Pennsylvanians.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “So Beats My Heart For You” 67 years ago on October 25, 1957, for his third LP album, The Beat of My Heart. For this album, Bennett invited several guest percussionists to play on the album; “So Beats My Heart For You” featured Chico Hamilton. Ralph Sharon wrote the arrangement.

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

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Song of the Day: Lazy Afternoon

The song of the day for Sunday, March 31, 2024, 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” on June 27, 1957, for his third album, The Beat of My Heart. For this album, Bennett and Ralph Sharon (who wrote the arrangement) invited percussionists to play on the album. For “Lazy Afternoon,” Chico Hamilton played drums.

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

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Song of the Day: It’s So Peaceful in the Country

The song of the day for Friday, February 16, 2024, is “It’s So Peaceful in the Country.”

About Today

We are remembering Alec Wilder on the anniversary of his birth on February 16, 1907. Wilder was a composer of both popular and classical music. He also wrote the definitive book on American popular music, American Popular Song: The Great Innovators, 1900–1950, one of my primary resources for this website and the Interactive Tony Bennett Discography.

About This Song

Alec Wilder wrote “It’s So Peaceful in the Country” in 1941 for the singer Mildred Bailey. Wilder was a great friend to singers Tony Bennett and Frank Sinatra and admired jazz musicians for their improvisational skills.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “It’s So Peaceful in the Country” on June 27, 1957, which featured Chico Hamilton on drums. It was recorded for The Beat of My Heart but wasn’t used in the original album release. It was added for the 1996 CD re-release.

“It’s So Peaceful in the Country,” as well as The Beat of My Heart, is available on Apple Music.

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Song of the Day: Crazy Rhythm

The song of the day for Tuesday, January 16, 2024, is “Crazy Rhythm.”

About This Song

“Crazy Rhythm” was written by Joseph Meyer, Roger Wolfe Kahn, and Irving Ceasar for the 1929 musical Here’s How. t’s been a popular standard since it was written and has been heavily recorded, not just by jazz and popular artists, but in 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” on June 27, 1957, for his third LP album, The Beat of My Heart. featuring an arrangement by Ralph Sharon. For this album, Bennett invited several percussionists to play on the album. “Crazy Rhythm” features Chico Hamilton.

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