The Year of Tony Bennett

An Appreciation of the Art and Music of Tony Bennett

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

By Leave a Comment

Song of the Day: I’ve Got a Crush On You

The song of the day for Tuesday, June 18, 2019, is “I’ve Got a Crush On You.”

About This Song

“I’ve Got a Crush On You” was written in 1928 by George and Ira Gershwin. It has the distinction of being used in two Broadway musicals: first in 1928 in Treasure Girl and again in 1930 for Strike Up the Band. It’s been widely recorded and is considered a jazz song due to fine recordings by Sarah Vaughan, Ella Fitzgerald, Frank Sinatra, and Dinah Washington.

About This Version

Tony Bennett and Diana Krall recorded “I’ve Got a Crush on You” for their 2018 album Love Is Here To Stay, with the Bill Charlap Trio.

I’ve Got A Crush On You

I’ve Got A Crush On You, a song by Tony Bennett, Diana Krall on Spotify

“I’ve Got a Crush On You,” as well as Love Is Here To Stay, is available from iTunes.

By Leave a Comment

Song of the Day: Do It Again

The song of the day for Wednesday, June 5, 2019, is “Do It Again.”

About This Song

Today’s song, “Do It Again,” was composed by George Gershwin, with lyrics by Buddy DeSylva. The song was used for the 1922 show The French Doll, at the insistence of the star Irène Bordon. George Gershwin told this story in 1934:

I was in the office of Max Dreyfus, my publisher, one day when Buddy DeSylva walked in. DeSylva said jokingly to me, “George, let’s write a hit!” I matched him by saying, “O.K.!” I sat down at the piano, and began playing a theme which I was composing on the spot. Buddy listened for a few minutes and then began chanting this title-—”Oh, Do It Again!,” which he had just fitted to my theme.

About This Version

Tony Bennett and Diana Krall recorded “Do It Again” for the 2018 album Love Is Here To Stay. The album features The Bill Charlap Trio, with Charlap on piano, Peter Washington on bass, and Kenny Washington on drums. In addition, Charlap did the arrangments for the album.

Do It Again

Do It Again, a song by Tony Bennett, Diana Krall on Spotify

“Do It Again,” as well as Love Is Here To Stay, is available from iTunes.

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