An Appreciation of the Art and Music of Tony Bennett
The song of the day for Wednesday, March 16, 2022, 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 recorded “Poor Little Rich Girl” with The Count Basie Orchestra in 1959 for his first album with Count Basie: Basie/Bennett. Ralph Sharon wrote the arrangement
“Poor Little Rich Girl,” as well as Basie/Bennett is available on Apple Music.
The album of the week starting on January 30, 2022, is Basie Swings, Bennett Sings.
| Release Date | 1959 |
| Label | Roulette |
| Producer | Teddy Reig |
| Vocals | Tony Bennett |
| Piano | Count Basie, Ralph Sharon |
| Arrangements | Ralph Sharon |
| Trumpet | Thad Jones, Snooky Young, Wendell Culley, Joe Newman |
| Trombone | Benny Powell, Henry Coker, Al Grey |
| Alto Saxophone | Marshall Royal, Frank Weiss |
| Tenor Saxophone | Frank Foster, Billy Mitchell |
| Baritone Saxophone | Charlie Fowlkes |
| Guitar | Freddie Green |
| Bass | Eddie Jones |
| Drums | Sonny Payne |
After the relative success of Cloud 7 and The Beat of My Heart, Tony Bennett began to work on his dream of performing with Count Basie and Duke Ellington, whom he viewed as the greatest bandleaders of all time. He was able to work out a deal with Basie to record two albums: one live album on Columbia (details to follow ) and a studio album for Roulette, Basie’s label. This brought up a fight with Bennett’s current producer Mitch Miller, who felt Roulette would tarnish Bennett’s reputation.
Tony Bennett remembers those recordings in his autobiography, The Good Life:
Although I’d talked with him on the telephone I didn’t meet Count Basie until our rehearsals began. It was an amazing experience, the fulfillment of a dream, and I’ll never forget it. We hit it off right away, as though we always knew and understood each other. At one point Basie turned to his band, pointed at me, and said, “Anything this man wants, he gets!” I was floored.
Critic Richard S. Ginell wrote:
The Roulette half of the two Bennett/Basie sessions is a band singer’s paradise, with the Basie band caught at a robust and swinging peak and Bennett never sounding happier or looser in front of a microphone. The Count himself, alas, appears on piano only on two numbers (“Life Is a Song” and “Jeepers Creepers”), while Bennett’s perennial pianist Ralph Sharon takes over on the remaining ten tracks and does all the charts. Yet Sharon writes idiomatically for the Count’s style, whether on frantic rave-ups like “With Plenty of Money and You” and “Strike Up the Band” or relaxed swingers like “Chicago.” Though not a jazz singer per se, the flavor of jazz is everywhere in Bennett’s voice, which in those days soared like a trumpet. The 1990 CD included an atmospheric unissued Neal Hefti ballad “After Supper,” but even this bonus track does little to extend the skimpy playing time (about 31 minutes) of what is still a great, desirable snapshot from American showbiz of the late 1950s.
You can also listen to Basie Swings, Bennett Sings on
The song of the day for Monday, December 27, 2021, is “I Guess I’ll Have To Change My Plan.”
“I Guess I’ll Have To Change My Plan” was written by Arthur Schwartz and Howard Dietz for the 1929 revue The Little Show and was introduced by Clifton Webb. It was a featured song in the 1953 movie The Band Wagon, where it was sung by Fred Astaire and Oscar Levant. Even though the original title was “I Guess I’ll Have to Change My Plan,” it is more often sung with Plans. And in spite of the sub-title on the cover of the sheet music, I have no idea what the blue pajama business is all about.
Tony Bennett recorded “I Guess I’ll Have To Change My Plan” in 1959 for his first album with Count Basie and His Orchestra, Basie/Bennett. Ralph Sharon wrote the arrangement.
“I Guess I’ll Have To Change My Plan,” as well as Basie/Bennett is available on Apple Music.
The song of the day for Wednesday, July 21, 2021, is “Blue and Sentimental.”
Today we are remembering the great Kay Starr, who was born on July 21, 1922, and died at the age of 94 on November 3, 2016. She was a remarkably versatile singer who excelled in popular music, jazz, and country music. Over her career, she worked with Glenn Miller, Bob Crosby, Roy Acuff, Count Basie, and many more.
“Blue and Sentimental” was written in 1938 by Count Basie, Jerry Livington, and Mack David. Count Basie recorded his song in 1938; other recordings include those by The Mills Brothers, Michel Legrand, The King Cole Trio, and Ella Fitzgerald.
Tony Bennett recorded “Blue and Sentimental” with Kay Starr for his 2001 album Playin’ With My Friends: Bennett Sings The Blues. The vocals were arranged by Rob Mathes.
“Blue and Sentimental,” as well as Playin’ With My Friends: Bennett Sings The Blues is available on Apple Music.
The song of the day for Wednesday, February 3, 2021, is “Blue and Sentimental.”
“Blue and Sentimental” was written by Count Basie, Jerry Livingston, and Mack David. Basie first recorded it in 1938 and again in 1947. Other significant recordings include those by The King Cole Trio, The Mills Brothers, and Michel Legrand on his album Legrand Jazz.
Tony Bennett and Kay Starr recorded “Blue and Sentimental” in 2001 for the album Playing With My Friends: Bennett Sings the Blues.
“Blue and Sentimental,” as well as Playin’ With My Friends: Tony Bennett Sings the Blues, is available from Apple Music.