An Appreciation of the Art and Music of Tony Bennett
The song of the day for Sunday, September 20, 2020, is “All Of You.”
“All Of You” was written by Cole Porter for the 1954 Broadway musical Silk Stockings, where it was introduced by Don Ameche. Bill Evans played it at his legendary album Sunday at the Village Vanguard, recorded live.
Tony Bennett performed “All Of You” at his 1994 live performance on MTV Unplugged.
“All Of You,” as well as MTV Unplugged, is available from Apple Music.
The song of the day for Tuesday, July 28, 2020, is “I Concentrate On You.”
Cole Porter wrote “I Concentrate On You” for the film Broadway Melody of 1940. It’s one of Porter’s best songs, with recordings by Fred Astaire, Ella Fitzgerald, Frank Sinatra, Dinah Washington, and Judy Garland among others.
Tony Bennett recorded “I Concentrate On You” in 1993 for his album Steppin’ Out. Bennett and Ralph Sharon wrote the arrangement. The album won the 1993 Grammy Award for Best Traditional Pop Vocal Performance.
“I Concentrate On You,” as well as Steppin’ Out, is available from Apple Music.
The song of the day for Wednesday, May 20, 2020, is “Night and Day.”
“Night and Day” was written by Cole Porter for the 1932 musical Gay Divorce, where it was introduced by Fred Astaire. The song became and still is quite popular and certainly a standard in the American songbook. Significant recordings include those by Art Tatum, Bill Evans, Billie Holiday, Frank Sinatra, Charlie Parker, Ella Fitzgerald, and Django Reinhardt.
Tony Bennett recorded “Night and Day” in 1992 for his album Perfectly Frank, dedicated to Frank Sinatra. Ralph Sharon wrote the very effective arrangement.
Perfectly Frank won the 1992 Grammy Award for Best Traditional Pop Vocal Performance.
“Night and Day,” as well as Perfectly Frank, is available from iTunes.
The song of the day for Friday, March 6, 2020, is “I Concentrate on You.”
Cole Porter wrote “I Concentrate On You” for the film Broadway Melody of 1940. It’s one of Porter’s better songs, with recordings by Fred Astaire, Ella Fitzgerald, Frank Sinatra, Dinah Washington, and Judy Garland among others.
Tony Bennett recorded “I Concentrate on You” in 1993 for the album Steppin’ Out. Bennett and Ralph Sharon wrote the arrangement.
“I Concentrate on You,” as well as Steppon’ Out, is available from iTunes.
The playlist of the week of August 25, 2019, is Tony Sings the Great Lyrics.
Tony Bennett seldom records a bad song and most of his recordings are of very good songs. This week, I’ve selected a handful of those very good songs that I think have exceptional lyrics.
Thou Swell from Tony Bennett Sings More Great Rodgers & Hart. Music by Richard Rodgers, lyrics by Lorenz (Larry) Hart.
I Concentrate on You from Steppin’ Out. Music and lyrics by Cole Porter.
The Lady is a Tramp from Tony Bennett Sings 10 Rogers & Hart Songs. Music by Richard Rodgers, lyrics by Lorenz (Larry) Hart.
Last Night When We Were Young from Perfectly Frank. Music by Harold Arlen, lyrics by Yip Harburg.
The Way You Look Tonight from Rarities, Outtakes and Other Delights, Vol. 2. Music by Jerome Kern, lyrics by Dorothy Field.
One For My Baby and One More For the Road from Perfectly Frank. Music by Harold Arlen, lyrics by Johnny Mercer.
The Man That Got Away from Tony Sings For Two. Music by Harold Arlen, music by Ira Gershwin.
I Got Lost In Her Arms from The Art of Excellence. Music and lyrics by Irving Berlin.
How Do You Keep The Music Playing from The Art of Excellence. Music by Michel Legrand, lyrics by Alan and Marilyn Bergman.
The Party’s Over from Hometown, My Town. Music by Jule Styne, lyrics by Adolph Green and Betty Comden.