The Year of Tony Bennett

An Appreciation of the Art and Music of Tony Bennett

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Song of the day: Experiment

The song of the day for November 1, 2013 is “Experiment.”

About This Song

Cole Porter wrote “Experiment” for Gertrude Lawrence for his 1933 London West End musical Nymph Errant. This song was a favorite of the great singer Mabel Mercer. The song was also featured, somewhat ironically, in the 2004 somewhat autobiographical film about Cole Porter, Delovely, starring Kevin Kline and Ashley Judd, where it was sung by Kevin Kline.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “Experiment” for his album Life Is Beautiful, released in 1975 on his own Improv label. It was arranged by Torrie Zito. The album featured the Torrie Zito Trio, with Zito on piano, John Guiffrida on bass and Chuck Hughes on drums.

http://open.spotify.com/track/5zFwXvDD2y002OUKCxP7FC
“Experiment,” as well as all of the songs that Tony Bennett recorded on the Improv label, is available from iTunes and Amazon.

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Song of the Day: Dream Dancing

The song of the day for Friday, August 30, 2013 is “Dream Dancing.”

About This Song

“Dream Dancing” was written by Cole Porter for the 1941 movie You’ll Never Get Rich, where it was used as an instrumental. Fred Astaire, who appeared in the film, recorded the song (with lyrics) with the Delta Rhythm Boys that same year. Other recordings include those by Ella Fitzgerald, Zoot Sims and Mel Tormé with George Shearing.

About This Version

Today’s song is from the second album that Tony Bennett made with Bill Evans: the 1977 Together Again. Though some critics consider “Dream Dancing” to be a ballad, this version is rather upbeat with a slightly faster tempo than most ballads. It’s a great recording; listen to Tony and Bill at the very end of the song — they seemed to enjoy the take very much.

http://open.spotify.com/track/6V2WinPrfCchxybbDIu4W2
“Dream Dancing,” as well as the album Together Again, is available from iTunes and Amazon.com.

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Song of the Day: Dream Dancing

The song of the day for Friday, July 26, 2013 is “Dream Dancing.”

About This Song

Cole Porter wrote “Dream Dancing” for the 1941 movie You’ll Never Get Rich, which starred Fred Astaire and Rita Hayworth. However, the song was only used as an instrumental for the movie. Fred Astaire recorded the song, with lyrics, in 1941 with the Delta Rhythm Boys.

About This Version

Today’s song is from Tony Bennett and Bill Evans’ second album, Together Again, released in 1977, although Dream Dancing wasn’t included on the original LP, but was added to the 1999 Rhino CD reissue.

http://open.spotify.com/track/6V2WinPrfCchxybbDIu4W2
“Dream Dancing,” as well as the remaster album Tony Bennett and Bill Evans: Together Again (with additional outtakes), is available from iTunes.

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Song of the Day: The Cole Porter Medley

Cole Porter was born on June 9, 1891. The Year of Tony Bennett have always been fans of Cole Porter and wish to honor him on this day.

The song of the day for June 9, 2013 is the “Cole Porter Medley.”

About the “Cole Porter Medley”

Tony Bennett recorded the Cole Porter medley in 1972 for Tony Bennett Sings Life is Beautiful. The followings songs are included in this medley:

  • What Is This Thing Called Love
  • Love For Sale
  • I’m In Love Again
  • You’d Be So Nice To Come Home To
  • Easy To Love
  • It’s Alright With Me
  • Night and Day
  • Dream Dancing
  • I’ve Got You Under My Skin
  • Get Out Of Town
  • What Is This Thing Called Love (reprise)

http://open.spotify.com/track/3ifsw4YcxwZ75GfWPVGCNZ
“The Cole Porter Medley,” as well as The Complete Improv Recordings, is available from iTunes.

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Song of the Day: I Concentrate On You

The song of the day for Monday, February 25, 2013 is I Concentrate On You.

About I Concentrate On You

Written by Cole Porter, I Concentrate On You was featured in Broadway Melody of 1940, starring Fred Astaire and Eleanor Powell. However, the song was sung in the film by Douglas McPhail as Astaire and Powell danced to it. While not one of Porter’s most popular songs, I find it one of his best for the intricate lyrics and the very interesting verse.

About This Version

Tony Bennett has recorded this song twice. First in 1973, for his album Listen Easy from MGM/Verve. This version is from his Steppin’ Out album from 1993 and was arranged by Mr. Bennett and Ralph Sharon.

I Concentrate on You

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

I Concentrate On You, as well as the full Steppin’ Out album, is available on iTunes.