The Year of Tony Bennett

An Appreciation of the Art and Music of Tony Bennett

By Leave a Comment

Song of the Day: Love Is Here To Stay

The song of the day for Wednesday, June 17, 2020, is “Love Is Here To Stay.”

About This Song

“Love Is Here To Stay” was written by George and Ira Gershwin in 1937 for The Goldwyn Follies movie, which was released after George Gershwin’s death. It’s also known as “Our Love Is Here To Stay,” but the published title of the song omits the “Our.”

About This Version

Tony Bennett and Diana Krall recorded “Love Is Here To Stay” for their 2018 album Love Is Here To Stay. They are accompanied by the wonderful Bill Charlap Trio, featuring Charlap on piano, Peter Washington on bass, and Kenny Washington on drums.

“Love Is Here To Stay,” as well as Love Is Here To Stay, is available from Apple Music.

Here’s the lovely video for this song:

By Leave a Comment

Playlist of the Week: Tony Loves to Sing with Elvis and Diana

The playlist for the week of October 13 is Tony Loves to Sing with Elvis and Diana.

This week’s playlist consists of duets featuring Tony and one of that marvelous couple: Elvis Costello and Diana Krall. This week’s songs are presented in chronological order.

1994 MTV Unplugged
They Can’t Take That Away From Me by George Gershwin and Ira Gershwin. Elvis Costello.

2001 Playin’ With My Friends
Alright, Okay, You Win by Mamie Watts and Sid Wyche. Diana Krall.

2006 Duets: An American Classic
The Best is Yet to Come by Cy Coleman and Carolyn Leigh. Diana Krall.
Are You Havin’ Any Fun? by Jack Yellen and Sammy Fain. Elvis Costello.

2018 Love is Here to Stay
‘S Wonderful by George Gershwin and Ira Gershwin. Diana Krall.
Love Is Here to Stay George Gershwin and Ira Gershwin. Diana Krall.
Somebody Loves Me George Gershwin and Ira Gershwin. Diana Krall.
Do It Again George Gershwin and Buddy DeSylva. Diana Krall.
They Can’t Take That Away From Me George Gershwin and Ira Gershwin. Diana Krall.

By Leave a Comment

Song of the Day: My One and Only

The song of the day for Tuesday, September 24. 2019, is “My One and Only.”

About This Song

“My One and Only” was written by George Gershwin and Ira Gershwin for the 1927 musical Funny Face, where it was introduced by Fred Astaire, Betty Compton and Gertrude McDonald. Recordings include those by Whispering Jack Smith, Fred Astaire, Sarah Vaughan, and Ella Fitzgerald.

About This Version

Tony Bennett and Diana Krall recorded “My One and Only” for their 2018 album Love Is Here To Stay, with the Bill Charlap Trio, with Charlap on piano, Peter Washington on bass, and Kenny Washington on drums.

“My One and Only,” as well as Love Is Here To Stay, is available from iTunes.

By Leave a Comment

Playlist of the Week: Tony Loves a Gershwin Tune

The playlist for the week of September 22, 2019, is Tony Loves a Gershwin Tune. This week we are celebrating the birth of the great George Gershwin, who was born on September 26, 1989 in Brooklyn. Working most often with his brother Ira Gershwin, Gershwin wrote many of the most beloved songs from the American Songbook.

Our playlist this weekend is bookended by the song “Fascinatin’ Rhythm.” The first is a demo Bennett recorded in 1949; the second is a duet with Diana Krall from their 2018 album Love Is Here To Stay.

All lyrics written by Ira Gershwin unless otherwise noted.

Fascinatin’ Rhythm from Rarities, Outtakes & Other Delights, Vol. 1
Strike Up the Band from Basie Swings, Tony Sings
I Got Rhythm from Love is Here to Stay, with Diana Krall
The Girl I Love from Astoria: Portrait of the Artist
Shall We Dance from Steppin’ Out
Who Cares? from Steppin’ Out
They Can’t Take That Away From Me from Steppin’ Out
He Loves and She Loves from Steppin’ Out
I’ve Got a Crush On You from Love is Here to Stay, with Diana Krall
Love is Here to Stay from Love is Here to Stay, with Diana Krall
Do It Again (lyrics by Buddy DeSylva) from Love is Here to Stay, with Diana Krall
Nice Work If You Can Get It from Love is Here to Stay, with Diana Krall
Somebody Loves Me (lyrics by Buddy DeSylva and Ballard MacDonald) from Love is Here to Stay, with Diana Krall
Fascinating Rhythm from Love is Here to Stay, with Diana Krall

By Leave a Comment

Playlist of the Week: Tony Sings With the Ladies, Part 1

The playlist of the week of June 30, 2019, is Tony Sings With the Ladies, Part 1.

Tony Sings With the Ladies, Part 1

This week’s playlist features some of Tony’s duets with female singers.

“Lullaby of Broadway” with the Dixie Chicks, from Duets: An American Classic

“I’m Confessin’ (That I Love You)” with k.d. lang, from A Wonderful World

“Body and Soul” with Amy Winehouse, from Duets II

“They Can’t Take That Away From Me” with Diana Krall, from Love Is Here To Stay

“But Beautiful” with Lady Gaga, from Cheek to Cheek

“Stormy Weather” with Natalie Cole, from Playin’ With My Friends

“Who Can I Turn To (When Nobody Needs Me)” with Queen Latifah, from Duets II

“I Gotta Right To Sing The Blues” with Bonnie Raitt, from Playin’ With My Friends

“Anything Goes+ with Lady Gaga, from Cheek to Cheek

Subscribe to The Year of Tony Bennett

Enter your email address to subscribe to this blog and receive notifications of new posts by email.

Current Reader Favorites