The Year of Tony Bennett

An Appreciation of the Art and Music of Tony Bennett

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Song of the Day: That Old Black Magic

The song of the day for Wednesday, September 16, 2020, is “That Old Black Magic.”

About This Song

One of the great songs by Harold Arlen and Johnny Mercer, “That Old Black Magic” was written in 1942 and first recorded by Glenn Miller. It was used in the 1942 movie Star Spangled Rhythm. It’s been recorded many times and used in several films, including the 1956 film Bus Stop, where it was sung by Marilyn Monroe.

About This Version

In 1962, at the invitation of President John F. Kennedy, Tony Bennett and the Dave Brubeck Quartet performed for the outgoing class of Presidential Scholars. After each had done their own set, Bennett returned with The Dave Brubeck Trio (minus Paul Desmond on alto sax) to do a series of completely unrehearsed improvs. This recording was one of them (and is also my favorite). In addition to Brubeck on piano, Joe Morello (drums) and Eugene Wright (bass) filled out the trio. The tape of the concert was long thought lost, but was rediscovered in 2012 and released as Bennett & Brubeck: The White House Sessions, Live 1962 in 2013.

“That Old Black Magic,” as well as Bennett & Brubeck: The White House Sessions, Live 1962, is available from Apple Music.

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Tony Live! That Old Black Magic

The song of the day for Saturday, March 14, 2020, is “That Old Black Magic.”

About This Song

One of the great songs by Harold Arlen and Johnny Mercer, “That Old Black Magic” was written in 1942 and first recorded by Glenn Miller. It was also used in the 1942 movie Star Spangled Rhythm. It’s been recorded many times and used in several films, including the 1956 film Bus Stop, where it was sung by Marilyn Monroe.

About This Version

Tony Bennett and The Dave Brubeck Trio, which featured Eugene Wright on bass and Joe Morello on drums, was recorded live on August 28, 1962, on the Mall in the District of Columbia, close to the Washinton Monument. Both artists were invited by President Kennedy to honor that year’s interns. The concert was recorded and released on Bennett/Brubeck: The White House Sessions, Live 1962. Dave Brubeck released the same recording in 2001 on the album Vocal Encounters.

“That Old Black Magic,” as well as Bennett/Brubeck: The White House Sessions, Live 1962, is available from iTunes.

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Tony Live! Chicago

The song of the day for Sunday, March 8, 2020, is “Chicago.”

About This Song

“Chicago” was written in 1932 by Fred Fisher. If there is any song associated with the great city of Chicago, it is this song. It’s been widely recorded by singers including Count Basie and Tony Bennett, Rosemary Clooney, Frank Sinatra, Judy Garland, and many, many more.

About This Version

We’re continuing our review of the songs that Bennett sang with the Dave Brubeck Trio. Their second song in the set was “Chicago,” captured on Bennett/Brubeck: The White House Sessions, Live 1962.

“Chicago,” as well as Bennett/Brubeck: The White House Sessions, Live 1962, is available from iTunes.

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Tony Live! Lullaby of Broadway

The song of the day for Saturday, March 7, 2020, is “Lullaby of Broadway.”

About This Song

“Lullaby of Broadway,” written by Harry Warren and Al Dubin, was introduced in the 1935 movie Gold Diggers of 1935; it won the Academy Award for Best Original Song. It is one of the great show biz anthems. The 1980 Broadway musical 42nd Street featured Jerry Orbach singing the song (a performance of which your author was able to see and from a very good seat).

About This Version

Welcome back to our trip to Tony’s live performances in August 1962 at the White House Sessions, at the invitation of President Kennedy.

After Tony Bennett and the Ralph Sharon Trio finished their set, Dave Brubeck was invited back on stage for a jam session. Participating in this session were Tony Bennett, Dave Brubeck, Eugene Wright, and Joe Morello.

The first song in this set was “Lullaby of Broadway,” included on Bennett/Brubeck: The White House Sessions, Live 1962.

“Lullaby of Broadway,” as well as Bennett/Brubeck: The White House Sessions, Live 1962, is available from iTunes.

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Tony Live! One For My Baby (And One More For the Road)

The song of the day for Saturday, February 29, 2020, is “One For My Baby (And One More For the Road).”

About This Song

“One For The Road” was written by Harold Arlen and Johnny Mercer for the 1943 film The Sky’s The Limit, where it was introduced by Fred Astaire. Harold Arlen called this song one of his “tapeworms” as at 48 bars, it was longer than the standard 32 bar popular song. Alec Wilder, in American Popular Song, says that “the honors must go the lyric. Just imagine having the acuity and courage to start a song, as Mercer does, with “It’s a quarter to three”!

About This Version

Tony Bennett performed “One For My Baby (And One More For the Road)” at the White House Concert, 1962, at the invitation of President John Kennedy. The album Bennett/Brubeck: The White Sessions, Live 1962 captured the sets by Dave Brubeck and Tony Bennett, as well as improv session.

“One For My Baby (And One More For the Road),” as well as Bennett/Brubeck: The White Sessions, Live 1962, is available from iTunes.

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