The Year of Tony Bennett

An Appreciation of the Art and Music of Tony Bennett

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Song of the Day: Lost in the Stars

The song of the day for Sunday, December 14, 2014 is “Lost in the Stars.”

About This Song

“Lost in the Stars” is from the 1949 musical of the same name, based on the 1948 novel by Alan Paton, Cry, the Beloved Country. It was written by Kurt Weill, with lyrics by Maxwell Anderson. Set in South Africa in an era when apartheid seemed as if it would never end, the plot concerns a black priest whose son kills, in a robbery attempt, a white man who is a friend of his father. The priest sings this song at the end of the first act, in a complete crisis of faith.

About This Version

This is Tony Bennett’s second recording of this song; he has recorded it several times. Today’s version was recorded in 1958 with Count Basie and His Orchestra. It appears on their album In Person!, released in 1959.

Lost In The Stars

Listen to Lost In The Stars on Spotify. Song · Tony Bennett · 1959


“Lost in the Stars,” as well as the album In Person!, is available from iTunes.

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Song of the Day: I Guess I’ll Have To Change My Plan

The song of the day for Tuesday, September 2, 2014 is “I Guess I’ll Have To Change My Plan.”

About This Song

Though often called “I Guess I’ll Have to Change My Plans,” the original title uses the singular “plan.” In either case, it was written by Arthur Schwarz and Howard Dietz in 1929 for a revue called The Little Show, where it was introduced by Clifton Webb. This song was also used in the 1953 movie The Band Wagon, where it was sung by Fred Astaire and Oscar Levant

About This Version

Today’s version of “I Guess I’ll Have To Change My Plan” was recorded in 1959 for Tony Bennett’s first album with Count Basie. This album has been released under various titles, but is most often known as Basie/Bennett or Basie Swings/Bennett Sings. Tony Bennett and Count Basie and His Orchestra sounded great together — I’m just glad that there were two albums of them to enjoy. The other album, In Person! was released the same year, 1959.

I Guess I"ll Have to Change My Plans - 1990 Remix / Remaster

Listen to I Guess I"ll Have to Change My Plans - 1990 Remix / Remaster on Spotify. Song · Count Basie, Tony Bennett, Tristan Powell · 1959

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Song of the Day: Firefly

The song of the day for Wednesday, July 9, 2014 is “Firefly.”

About This Song

“Firefly” was written in 1958 by Cy Coleman and Carolyn Leigh. It was an audition number written for the upcoming musical Gypsy, starring Ethel Merman in one her greatest roles. The job of writing the score went to Jule Styne, with the lyrics by a very young Stephen Sondheim. I think I would have loved to hear what Coleman and Leigh might have done for Gypsy. Thankfully, we have this song.

About This Version

Tony Bennett first recorded Firefly in August, 1958, arranged by Ray Ellis and released as single that same month. Today’s recording is from his second album with Count Basie and His Orchestra, In Person!, and was recorded just a few months later in December, 1958.

http://open.spotify.com/track/1LdR8g2RNMijylY5kS69Iq
“Firefly,” as well as the album In Person!, is available from iTunes.

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Song of the Day: Jeepers Creepers

The song of the day for Wednesday, May 14, 2014 is “Jeepers Creepers.”

About This Song

“Jeepers Creepers” was written for the 1938 movie Going Places by Harry Warren and Johnny Mercer, which featured Louis Armstrong as a trumpet-playing horse trainer. It has been recorded by Bing Crosby and, of course, Louis Armstrong.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “Jeepers Creepers” for his 1959 album with Count Basie and His Orchestra, Basie/Bennett. The songs on the album were arranged by Ralph Sharon and produced by Teddy Reig. I have a strong fondness for this album because it’s just so much fun to listen to, not in the least because of this particular song.

http://open.spotify.com/track/3ZrWSg01u6dfXiNnMjT3hv
“Jeepers Creepers,” as well as the songs on Basie/Bennett, is available on iTunes.