The Year of Tony Bennett

An Appreciation of the Art and Music of Tony Bennett

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Songs of the Day: The Cole Porter Medley

The Song(s) of the Day for October 1, 2012 is Tony Bennett’s Cole Porter Medley.

About the Cole Porter Medley

This medley contains these Cole Porter songs:

  • 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)

About This Version

This medley was on Tony Bennett’s first album on his own Improv label, Life Is Beautiful, released in 1972. Torrie Zito arranged the medley for the orchestra and conducted  as well. In his autobiography, The Good Life, points to this medley as a prime example of a project that he could never have gotten done at a major label.

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Song of the Day: I Concentrate On You

The Song of the Day for September 21, 2012 is I Concentrate On You.

About I Concentrate On You

This song was written by Cole Porter (music and lyrics) in 1940 for Broadway Melody of 1940.  I Concentrate On You has been recorded Frank Sinatra, Dinah Washington, Judy Garland, Carmen McRae,  and, of course, Fred Astaire, among many other jazz and popular performers.

About This Version

This version, from the 1993 Steppin’ Out album was arranged by Tony Bennett and Ralph Sharon. I especially love the simplicity and elegance of this arrangement.

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Song of the Day: Experiment

The Song of the Day for September 7, 2012 is Experiment.

About Experiment

Experiment is a slight, but charming, song by Cole Porter in 1934 for Nymph Errant and introduced by Gertrude Lawrence, for whom he wrote the show.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded Experiment for Life Is Beautiful, recorded in 1972 for his Improv label. Also on this album is his extraordinary Cole Porter medley. Bennett worked with  the Torrie Zito Trio on this album and it has a really great sound.