The Year of Tony Bennett

An Appreciation of the Art and Music of Tony Bennett

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Song of the Day: Old Devil Moon

The song of the day for Saturday, June 3, 2023, is “Old Devil Moon.”

About This Song

“Old Devil Moon” was written by Burton Lane and Yip Harburg for the 1947 musical Finian’s Rainbow, which also gave us “How Are Things in Glocca Morra?” While Alec Wilder was no fan of “How Are Things in Glocca Morra?”, in America Popular Song, he praises “Old Devil Moon” as “a well-written, wholly convincing song. It drives, and its initial intensity is sustained throughout.”

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “Old Devil Moon” on August 6, 1954, for his album Cloud 7, released in 1955. It was arranged by Chuck Wayne.

“Old Devil Moon,” as well as Cloud 7 is available on Apple Music.

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Song of the Day: Darn That Dream

The song of the day for Friday, April 14, 2023, is “Darn That Dream.”

About This Song

“Darn That Dream” was written by Jimmy Van Heusen and Eddie DeLange for the 1939 musical Swingin’ the Dream, an adaptation of Shakespeare’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream. The cast had many big names: Louis Armstrong playing Bottom, Maxine Sullivan as Titania, Bill Bailey, and Dorothy Dandridge. It only ran for 13 performances and is considered to be a flop. Fortunately, “Darn That Dream” proved to be a big hit and earned some money for the investors.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “Darn That Dream” on August 11, 1954, for his first album, Cloud 7, released in 1955. It was arranged by Chuck Wayne, who also played guitar on the album.

“Darn That Dream,” as well as Cloud 7 is available on Apple Music.

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Song of the Day: My Baby Just Cares For Me

The song of the day for Saturday, July 23, 2022, is “My Baby Just Cares For Me.”

About This Song

“My Baby Just Cares For Me” was written by Walter Donaldson and Gus Kahn for the 1930 film version of Whoopee! with Eddie Cantor. Though recorded by many artists, the song is widely associated with Nina Simone, who recorded it for her 1958 debut album Little Girl Blue.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “My Baby Just Cares For Me” on December 22, 1954, and released in 1955 on the album Cloud 7. Charles Panely did the arrangement,

“My Baby Just Cares For Me” as well as Cloud 7 is available on Apple Music.

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Song of the Day: Old Devil Moon

The song of the day for Wednesday, July 20, 2022, is “Old Devil Moon.”

About This Song

“Old Devil Moon” was written by Burton Lane and Yip Harburg for the 1947 musical Finian’s Rainbow, which also gave us “How Are Things in Glocca Morra?” While Alec Wilder was no fan of “How Are Things in Glocca Morra?”, in America Popular Song, he praises “Old Devil Moon” as “a well-written, wholly convincing song. It drives, and its initial intensity is sustained throughout.”

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “old Devil Moon” on August 6, 1954, and was released in 1955 on the album Cloud 7. Chuck Wayne wrote the arrangement.

“Old Devil Moon,” as well as Cloud 7 is available on Apple Music.

By Leave a Comment

Song of the Day: Darn That Dream

The song of the day for Tuesday, July 19, 2022, is “Darn That Dream.”

About This Song

“Darn That Dream” was written by Jimmy Van Heusen and Eddie DeLange for the 1939 musical Swingin’ the Dream, an adaptation of Shakespeare’s A Midsummer’s Night Dream. The cast had many big names: Louis Armstrong playing Bottom, Maxine Sullivan as Titania, Bill Bailey, and Dorothy Dandridge. It only ran for 13 performances and is considered to be a flop. Fortunately, “Darn That Dream” proved to be a big hit and earned some money for the investors.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “Darn That Dream” on August 11, 1954; and released in 1955 on the album Cloud 7. It was arranged by Chuck Wayne. who also played guitar on the album.

“Darn That Dream,” as well as Cloud 7 is available on Apple Music.

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