The Year of Tony Bennett

An Appreciation of the Art and Music of Tony Bennett

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Remembering Bill Evans

I messed up, as I forgot to check my Year of Tony Bennett calendar and so missed honoring Bill Evans on the anniversary of his birth on August 16, 1929.

I want to make it up by featuring one of his piano solos on his second album with Tony Bennett: Tony Bennett and Bill Evans Together Again, released in 1977.

Over the three days when they recorded this album, Evans was working on the theme song from the 1952 film The Bad and the Beautiful. Tony Bennett loved it so much, he asked that it be included on their album. “The Bad and the Beautiful” was written by David Raksin and Dory Langdon.

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Song of the Day: Laura

The song of the day for Wednesday, April 2, 2025, is “Laura.”

About This Song

“Laura” was written by David Raksin and Johnny Mercer for the 1944 film Laura, starring Gene Tierney and Dana Andrews. David Raksin was known as a film composer (he also wrote the title song for “The Bad and the Beautiful”, which is included on the Bill Evans-Tony Bennett album Together Again) and his compositions are often jazz standards. “Laura” has been recorded many times, by both singers and instrumentalists.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “Laura” on November 10, 1959, for his 1960 album, To My Wonderful One. Frank DeVol wrote the arrangement and conducted the orchestra.

“Laura,” as well as To My Wonderful One, is available on Apple Music.

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Song of the Day: Laura

The song of the day for Sunday, November 10, 2024, is “Laura.”

About This Song

“Laura” was written by David Raksin and Johnny Mercer for the 1944 film of the same name, starring Gene Tierney and Dana Andrews. David Raksin was known as a film composer (he also wrote the title song for “The Bad and the Beautiful,” which is included on the Bill Evans-Tony Bennett album Together Again), his compositions are often jazz standards. “Laura” has been recorded many times, by both singers and instrumentalists.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “Laura” 65 years ago today on November 10, 1959, for To My Wonderful One. The album was arranged and conducted by Frank DeVol.

“Laura,” as well as To My Wonderful One, is available on Apple Music.

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Song of the Day: The Bad and the Beautiful

The song of the day for Monday, September 3, 2024, is “The Bad and the Beautiful.”

About This Song

“The Bad and the Beautiful,” written by David Raksin in 1952, was the theme song for the 1952 film of the same name that starred Kirk Douglas, Lana Turner, Walter Pidgeon and Dick Powell. While the film is considered a melodrama, it’s an extremely well-made melodrama directed by Vincente Minnelli.

About This Version

Bill Evans recorded “The Bad and the Beautiful” in September 1976 in the recording sessions for Together Again, released in 1977. During those sessions, Tony Bennett heard Evans playing the song and loved it so much that he insisted that the piano solo be added to the album.

“The Bad and the Beautiful,” as well as Together Again, is available on Apple Music.

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Song of the Day: Laura

The song of the day for Friday, August 30, 2024, is “Laura.”

About This Song

“Laura” was written in 1944 by David Raksin and Johnny Mercer for the film of the same name, starring Gene Tierney and Dana Andrews. Raksin was known as a film composer (he also wrote the title song for The Bad and the Beautiful, which is included on the Bill Evans-Tony Bennett album Together Again), and his compositions are often jazz standards. “Laura” has been recorded many times, by both singers and instrumentalists.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “Laura” on November 29, 1959, for the album To My Wonderful One, released in 1960. It was arranged by Frank DeVol. On a side note, Bucky Pizzarelli played guitar on this album.

“Laura,” as well as To My Wonderful One, is available on Apple Music.