The Year of Tony Bennett

An Appreciation of the Art and Music of Tony Bennett

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Song of the Day: All Of You

The song of the day for Monday, May 18, 2015 is “All Of You.”

About This Song

Cole Porter wrote “All Of You” for the 1955 Broadway musical Silk Stockings; it was the musical he wrote. The song “All Of You” was introduced by Don Ameche in the Broadway production. The production was adapted to film in 1957, starring Fred Astaire and Cyd Charisse.

About This Version

I really like Tony’s version of this song. He opens singing the verse (!) with a great swing feel and then it goes into a ballad. Very nice!

All of You

Listen to All of You on Spotify. Song · Tony Bennett · 1993


“All Of You,” as well as Steppin’ Out, is available from iTunes.

I found this video featuring Fred Astaire and Cyd Charisse, including the dialogue leading up to his singing today’s song.

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Song of the Day: I Concentrate On You

The song of the day for Saturday, May 16, 2015 is “I Concentrate On You.”

About This Song

Cole Porter wrote “I Concentrate On You” for the film Broadway Melody of 1940, which starred Fred Astaire. It’s one of Porter’s best songs, with recordings by Astaire, Ella Fitzgerald, Frank Sinatra, Dinah Washington and Judy Garland among others.

About This Version

I’m so glad that Tony Bennett included this song on Steppin’ Out and even more because he sings the verse. It starts off almost like an aria that sets up the lyrics of the rest of song beautifully. It’s one of Porter’s more sincere and poetic songs and is one my personal favorites of his songs.

I Concentrate on You

Listen to I Concentrate on You on Spotify. Song · Tony Bennett · 1993

“I Concentrate On You,” as well as Steppin’ Out, is available from iTunes.

I was unable to locate a video from Broadway Melody of 1940, however I did find this wonderful recording from Fred Astaire’s 1952 studio album The Astaire Story. If you like Fred Astaire, I strongly recommend this album; I think you’ll enjoy it.

I Concentrate On You

Listen to I Concentrate On You on Spotify. Song · Fred Astaire · 1988


“I Concentrate On You,” as well as The Astaire Story, is available from iTunes.

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Song of the Day: Anything Goes

The song of the day for Friday, April 10, 2015 is “Anything Goes.”

About This Song

“Anything Goes” was written by Cole Porter in 1934 for the musical of the same name. In Anything Goes, Cole Porter and book writers Guy Bolton and P.G. Wodehouse created one ofthe great musical comedy characters of all time: Reno Sweeney, played by Ethel Merman in the original 1934 production. The score contains many of Porter’s most popular songs, including “I Get a Kick Out You,” “You’re The Top,” and “Blow, Gabriel, Blow.”

About This Version

Today’s version is from the hit 2014 album Cheek To Cheek. The terrific arrangement is Marion Evans. I love the big band sound Evans did for this album. Not to mention Tony Bennett and Lady Gaga, who seem to be having a really great time.

About Today

Tonight, Tony Bennett and Lady Gaga are performing at AXIS – Planet Hollywood in Las Vegas as a part of the Cheek To Cheek Tour. Maybe if I close my eyes, listening to today’s song will be almost like being there? After the concert, I’ll be curating tweets about the concert and posting them to April 15 Tour Appearances.

Anything Goes

Listen to Anything Goes on Spotify. Song · Tony Bennett, Lady Gaga · 2014


“Anything Goes,” as well as Cheek To Cheek, is available from iTunes.

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Song of the Day: Anything Goes

The song of the day for Saturday, March 28, 2015 is “Anything Goes.”

About This Song

In Anything Goes, Cole Porter and book writers Guy Bolton and P.G. Wodehouse created one of the great musical comedy characters of all time: Reno Sweeney, played by Ethel Merman in the original 1934 production. The score contains many of Porter’s most popular songs, including “I Get a Kick Out You,” “You’re The Top,” “Blow, Gabriel, Blow” and, of course, “Anything Goes.”

About This Version

Today’s version is the first song on the 2014 album from Tony Bennett and Lady Gaga — Cheek To Cheek. The very swinging arrangement is from the wonderful Marion Evans. I can’t think of a better number to open this album with. It also makes me really happy to think about their planned Cole Porter album. I really want to hear Lady Gaga sing “Down In The Depths.”

About Today

The Year of Tony Bennett would like to wish Lady Gaga a very happy birthday. Stefani Joanne Angelina Germanotta was born in New York City on March 28, 1986. She attended New York University’s Tisch School of the Arts, but left early to pursue her musical career. She does it all: write, perform, and produce. We agree completely with Tony Bennett that she is a force to be reckoned with. We loved her “Lady Is A Tramp” on Duets II and still can’t stop listening to Cheek To Cheek. So, happy birthday, Lady Gaga! And many more!

Anything Goes

Listen to Anything Goes on Spotify. Song · Tony Bennett, Lady Gaga · 2014


“Anything Goes,” as well as Cheek to Cheek, is available from iTunes.

Here’s your Saturday video!

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Song of the Day: Just One Of Those Things

The song of the day for Wednesday, November 12, 2014 is “Just One Of Those Things.”

About This Song

Cole Porter wrote “Just One of Those Things” for the 1935 musical Jubilee. It’s one of Porter’s most popular songs and has been recorded by Ella Fitzgerald, Louis Armstrong, Sarah Vaughan, Billie Holiday and Frank Sinatra. Alec Wilder in American Popular Song spoke of the lyric as ‘a trip to the moon on gossamer wings’ and “that it seems impossible that it wasn’t sitting on his piano, waiting for Porter even before he wrote the lyric.” It has a certain literary fame as well: Holden Caulfield, in Salinger’s “The Catcher in the Rye” likes the song and notes that even the “stinking band” in the hotel lounge “couldn’t ruin it entirely.”

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “Just One Of Those Things” in 1957 for his third album The Beat of My Heart, which featured jazz drummers and percussionists on each song. This song featured Art Blakey.

About Today

I’ve been in Cole Porter mood for the last few days and The Beat of My Heart was the one album I wanted to listen to today. So there you go.

Just One Of Those Things

Listen to Just One Of Those Things on Spotify. Song · Tony Bennett · 1957


“Just One Of Those Things,” as well as The Beat of My Heart, is available from iTunes.

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