The Year of Tony Bennett

An Appreciation of the Art and Music of Tony Bennett

By Leave a Comment

Song of the Day: Cole Porter Medley

The song of the day for Tuesday, June 10, 2025, is “Cole Porter Medley.”

About This Song

“Cole Porter Medley” is the recorded version of a medley of Cole Porter songs that Tony Bennett regularly did in concert in the 1960s and 1970s. The medley, which is nearly 14 minutes long, 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

Tony Bennett recorded “Cole Porter Medley” in the early 1970s, with an arrangement by Torrie Zito. Bennett had just returned from the road and wanted to finally recorded the medley, which Columbia Records was never interested in his time there until resigned. He and Zito set up a recording session and an orchestra to record the medley. Though they had set it up for the day, the first take was so good that they ended the session. Tony Bennett took the whole crew and orchestra out for a fantastic meal after that perfect take.

Cole Porter Medley” was released on 2003 on the Concord release of Tony Bennett Sings “Life Is Beautiful.”

“Cole Porter Medley,” as well as The Complete Improv Recordings, is available on Apple Music.

By Leave a Comment

Song of the Day: Ev’rytime We Say Goodbye

The song of the day for is “Ev’rytime We Say Goodbye.”

About This Song

“Ev’rytime We Say Goodbye” was written by Cole Porter for the 1944 Billy Rose musical revue Seven Lively Arts. The song is well known for the phrase “change from major to minor” as the song itself changed from A-flat major to A-flat minor, matching the lyric perfectly. It has always been a strong jazz standard. Significant recordings include those by Mabel Mercer, Sonny Rollins, Chet Baker, Sarah Vaughan, and Dinah Washington.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “Ev’rytime We Say Goodbye” on April 8, 1958, for his album Long Ago and Far Away. Frank DeVol wrote the arrangement.

“Ev’rytime We Say Goodbye,” as well as Long Ago and Far Away, is available on Apple Music.

By Leave a Comment

Song of the Day: Anything Goes

The song of the day for Thursday, January 16, 2025, is “Anything Goes.”

About This Song

“Anything Goes” was written in 1934 by Cole Porter. 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 today’s song “Anything Goes.”

Ethel Merman was born on January 16, 1908, in New York City. We’re featuring “Anything Goes” in memory of Ethel Merman.

About This Version

Tony Bennett, with Count Basie and His Orchestra, recorded “Anything Goes” on January 5, 1959, for their first album Basie Swings/Bennett Sings. Ralph Sharon wrote the arrangement.

“Anything Goes,” as well as Basie Swings/Bennett Sings, is available on Apple Music.

Here’s Ethel Merman singing “Anything Goes,” from 1954.

By Leave a Comment

Song of the Day: Begin the Beguine

The song of the day for Monday, December 9, 2024, is “Begin the Beguine.”

About Today

Today’s song is from Tony Bennett’s 2nd jazz album and third album: The Beat of My Heart. The album was released on December 9, 1957.

About This Song

“Begin the Beguine” was written by Cole Porter for the 1925 musical Jubilee. The song has an unusual structure, having a 108-measure length, as opposed to the standard 32-bar structure of most popular music. One of the earliest popular recordings was Artie Shaw’s instrumental in 1938. The Middle Eastern style of the song is well-served by Shaw’s clarinet solo. The song has an unusual structure, having a 108-measure length, as opposed to the standard 32-bar structure of most popular music. One of the earliest popular recordings was Artie Shaw’s instrumental in 1938. The Middle Eastern style of the song is well-served by Shaw’s clarinet solo.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “Begin the Beguine” on October 21, 1957, for his album The Beat of My Heart. Ralph Sharon wrote the arrangement. For this album, Bennett invited guest percussionists to play. Drummer Jo Jones was the guest drummer for “Begin the Beguine.”

The recording was not released on the original 1957 LP, but was added to the 1997 CD re-release.

“Begin the Beguine,” as well as The Beat of My Heart, is available on Apple Music.

And because I once played the clarinet and loved Artie Shaw, here’s his brilliant 1938 recording:

By Leave a Comment

Song of the Day: Night and Day

The song of the day for Sunday, December 8, 2024, is “Night and Day.”

About This Song

Cole Porter wrote “Night and Day” 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.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “Night and Day” in June 1992 for his tribute album to Frank Sinatra: Perfectly Frank. Ralph Sharon wrote the arrangement.

Perfectly Frank won the 1992 Grammy Best Traditional Pop Performance Award.

“Night and Day,” as well as Perfectly Frank, is available on Apple Music.