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The Year of Tony Bennett

An Appreciation of the Art and Music of Tony Bennett

November 10, 2022 By Suzanne Leave a Comment

Song of the Day: The Bad and the Beautiful

The song of the day for Friday, November 11, 2022, is “The Bad and the Beautiful.”

About This Song

“The Bad and the Beautiful,” written by David Raksin, 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 a well-made melodrama directed by Vincente Minnelli.

About This Version

Bill Evans recorded the theme from “The Bad and the Beautiful” in September 1977 for the second album he made with Tony Bennett, Together Again, released in 1977.

During a break in the recording sessions for Together Again, September 27-30, 1976, Bill Evans started working out a possible arrangement for “The Bad and the Beautiful.” Tony Bennett liked the song so much that he insisted on adding it to the album.

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

Filed Under: Song of the Day Tagged With: Bill Evans, David Raksin, Together Again, Tony Bennett

August 9, 2022 By Suzanne Leave a Comment

Song of the Day: Laura

The song of the day for Wednesday, August 10, 2022, 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” on November 10, 1959, for the 1960 album To My Wonderful One. It was arranged by Frank DeVol.

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

Filed Under: Song of the Day Tagged With: David Raksin, Frank DeVol, Johnny Mercer, To My Wonderful One, Tony Bennett

January 21, 2021 By Suzanne Leave a Comment

Song of the Day: Laura

The song of the day for Friday, January 22, 2021, is “Laura.”

About This Song

“Laura” was written for the 1944 film of the same name by Davis Raksin, with lyrics by Johnny Mercer, 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), his compositions are often jazz standards. “Laura” has been recorded many times, by both singers and instrumentalists.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “Laura” in 1959 for his album To My Wonderful One. It was arranged by Frank DeVol.

Laura

Listen to Laura on Spotify. Tony Bennett · Song · 1960.

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

Filed Under: Song of the Day Tagged With: David Raksin, Frank DeVol, Johnny Mercer, To My Wonderful One, Tony Bennett

May 14, 2020 By Suzanne Leave a Comment

Song of the Day: Laura

The song of the day for Thursday, May 15, 2020, 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. 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” for his 1960 album To My Wonderful One, arranged and conducted by Frank DeVol.

“Laura,” as well as To My Wonderful One, is available from iTunes.

Filed Under: Song of the Day Tagged With: David Raksin, Frank DeVol, Johnny Mercer, Laura, To My Wonderful One, Tony Bennett

May 25, 2019 By Suzanne Leave a Comment

Playlist of the Week: Tony Sings Johnny Mercer

The playlist of the week for May 26, 2019, is Tony Sings Johnny Mercer.

Some of Tony’s finest recordings have been of songs with lyrics by Johnny Mercer. Here are a few of my favorites:

Tony Sings Johnny Mercer

Tony Bennett has always admired lyrics written by Johnny Mercer.

To learn more about one of these songs, click on its link.

Day In, Day Out, composed by Rube Bloom
Skylark, composed by Hoagy Carmichael
I Thought About You, composed by Jimmy Van Heusen
Laura, composed by David Raksin
I Remember You, composed by Victor Schertzinger
One For My Baby (and One More For the Road), composed by Harold Arlen
That Old Black Magic, composed by Harold Arlen
I Wanna Be Around, addtional lyrics by Sadie Vimmerstedt, composed by Johnny Mercer
Trav’lin’ Light, composed by Trummy Young and Jimmy Mundy

Filed Under: Playlist of the Week Tagged With: David Raksin, Harold Arlen, Hoagy Carmichael, Jimmy Mundy, Johnny Mercer, Rube Bloom, Trummy Young, Victor Schertzinger

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