An Appreciation of the Art and Music of Tony Bennett
The song of the day for Thursday, June 27, 2024, is “I Love You.”
“I Love You” was written by Cole Porter in 1944 for the film Mexican Hayride.
Tony Bennett recorded “I Love You” on January 23, 1962, for On The Glory Road, which was to be released in 1962 but was canceled. The album was released as part of the 2011 Complete Collection. It was arranged by Marty Manning.
“I Love You,” as well as On The Glory Road, is available on Apple Music.
The song of the day for Wednesday, May 29, 2024, is “Dream Dancing.”
“Dream Dancing” was written by Cole Porter for the 1941 movie You’ll Never Get Rich, though it was introduced only in its instrumental form. The first recording of the song, with lyrics) was made the same yearby Fred Astaire in the same year and The Delta Rhythm Boys. Other recordings include those by Ella Fitzgerald, Zoot Zims with Jimmy Rowles, and Mel Tormé.
Tony Bennett and Bill Evans recorded “Dream Dancing” in September 1976. This song was not included on the original LP release of Together Again but was included on the 1999 Rhino CD release.
“Dream Dancing,” as well as Together Again, is available on Apple Music.
The song of the day for Sunday, April 21, 2024, is “Just One Of Those Things.”
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. In American Popular Song Alec Wilder 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.”
Tony Bennett recorded “Just One of Those Things” on October 14, 1957, for his third album, The Beat of My Heart, featuring an arrangement by Ralph Sharon. Bennett invited several percussionists to play on the album; Al Blakey was featured in this song.
“Just One Of Those Things,” as well as The Beat of My Heart, is available on Apple Music.
The song of the day for Saturday, February 3, 2024, is “Love For Sale.”
“Love For Sale” was written by Cole Porter in 1930 for the Broadway musical The New Yorkers, sung by a prostitute advertising her services. The song was considered rather scandalous at the time. In fact, for the production of The New Yorkers, it was supposed to be sung by the white star Kathryn Crawford, but the song was assigned to an African-American singer instead. Despite being banned from playing on the radio, “Love For Sale” has had many fine recordings, including those by Tony Bennett, Frank Sinatra, Billie Holiday, Dinah Washington, and Miles Davis.
Tony Bennett recorded “Love For Sale” on October 24, 1957, for his second jazz album, The Beat of My Heart, featuring an arrangement by Ralph Sharon. Bennett invited percussionists to play on the album; for this song he used Candico, Sabu, and his regular drummer, Billy Exiner.
” Love For Sale,” as well as The Beat of My Heart, is available on Apple Music.
The song of the day for Monday, December 11, 2023, is “Just One Of Those Things.”
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 J.D. 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.”
Tony Bennett recorded “Just One Of Those Things” on October 14, 1957, for his second jazz album, The Beat of My Heart. Ralph Sharon wrote the arrangement. Tony Bennett invited several percussionists to participate in this album. Art Blakey played drums for this recording.
“Just One Of Those Things,” as well as The Beat of My Heart, is available on Apple Music.