An Appreciation of the Art and Music of Tony Bennett
The song of the day for Thursday, July 11, 2024, is “Poor Little Rich Girl.”
“Poor Little Rich Girl” was written by Noël Coward for the 1925 revue On With the Dance. It is one of his most popular songs.
Tony Bennett and His Count Basie Orchestra recorded “Poor Little Rich Girl” on January 9, 1959, for Basie Swings/Bennett Sings. It was arranged by Ralph Sharon.
“Poor Little Rich Girl,” as well as Basie Swings, Bennett Sings, is available on Apple Music.
The song of the day for Saturday, March 23, 2024, is “Pennies From Heaven.”
In Person! with Count Basie and His Orchestra was released sixty-five years ago today on March 23, 1959. It was planned as a live album and was recorded in a club with the Count Basie Orchestra. However, the tape from the concert had poor quality and couldn’t be used. They re-recorded all of the songs in the studio and, oddly, released it with the original planned title, In Person!.
“Pennies From Heaven” was written in 1936 by Arthur Johnston and Johnny Burke. It was introduced by Bing Crosby in the 1936 movie of the same name. It’s one of the classic Great Depression songs.
Tony Bennett, with Count Basie and His Orchestra, recorded “Pennies From Heaven” on December 30, 1958, for In Person!, released on March 23, 1959. Ralph Sharon wrote the arrangement.
“Pennies From Heaven,” as well as In Person is available on Apple Music.
The song of the day for Sunday, February 25, 2024, is “With Plenty of Money and You.”
“With Plenty of Money and You” was written by Harry Warren and Al Dubin for Gold Diggers of 1937, starring Dick Powell and Joan Blondell and choreographed by Busby Berkeley. Interestingly, the score for the film was to have been written by Harold Arlen and Yip Harburg, but Berkeley didn’t like what they had written and brought in Warren and Dubin for this song and several others. Some Arlen and Harburg songs were used in the film as well.
Tony Bennett, with Count Basie and His Orchestra, recorded “With Plenty of Money and You” on January 5, 1959, for their first album Basie Swings/Bennett Sings. Ralph Sharon wrote the arrangement.
“With Plenty of Money and You,” as well as Basie Swings/Bennett Sings, is available on Apple Music.
The song of the day for Friday, October 20, 2023, is “Life Is A Song.”
“Life Is A Song” was written in 1935 by Fred Ahlert and Joe Young. This song was first recorded by Rudy Vallee in 1935. Other recordings include those by Ruth Etting, Bob Crosby, and Johnny Mathis.
Tony Bennett, with Count Basie and His Orchestra, recorded “Life Is A Song” on January 5, 1959, for the album Basie Swings/Bennett Sings. Ralph Sharon wrote the arrangement.
“Life Is A Song,” as well as Basie Swings/Bennett Sings, is available on Apple Music.
The song of the day for Monday, August 21, 2023, is “Are You Havin’ Any Fun.”
William James “Count” Basie was born on August 21, 1904, in Red Bank, New Jersey. His collaborations with Tony Bennett in the late 1950s were highlights for the young jazz singer. The Year of Tony Bennett is proud to remember Count Basie on the anniversary of his birth.
“Are You Havin’ Any Fun?” was written by Jack Yellen and Sammy Fain for the 1939 George White’s Scandals. White produced these Broadway revues from 1919 to 1939. Stars introduced in his Scandals include Bert Lahr, Ethel Merman, Ray Bolger, and The Three Stooges.
Tony Bennett recorded “Are You Having Any Fun?” on January 5, 1959, for the album Basie Swings/Bennett Sings, with Count Basie and His Orchestra. The song was arranged by Ralph Sharon.
“Are You Havin’ Any Fun,” as well as Basie Swings/Bennett Sings, is available on Apple Music.