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The Year of Tony Bennett

An Appreciation of the Art and Music of Tony Bennett

September 13, 2022 By Suzanne Leave a Comment

Song of the Day: Body and Soul

The song of the day for Wednesday, September 14, 2022, is “Body and Soul.”

About Today

The Year of Tony Bennett remembers Amy Winehouse on the anniversary of her birth, September 14, 1983.

About This Song

“Body and Soul” was written in 1930 by Johnny Green with lyrics by Edward Heyman, Robert Sour, and Frank Eyton.

Ted Gioia, in his book The Jazz Standards, says that Body and Soul “is the granddaddy of jazz ballads, the quintessential torch song, and the ultimate measuring rod for tenor sax players of all generations. Even in the new millennium, this 1930 composition continues to serve as the cornerstone of the repertoire.” Louis Armstrong recorded the song first, followed in the 1930s by recordings from primarily white society bands, such as those led by Paul Whiteman. That said, some early recordings by jazz artists including Benny Goodman and especially Art Tatum started to cement this song as a serious jazz standard (in fact, it’s rated #1 on the jazzstandards.com website). However, the Coleman Hawkins recording from 1939 is widely acknowledged to have made the song a true jazz standard. The Hawkins recording was followed by great jazz recordings by Charlie Parker, John Coltrane, Charles Mingus, Thelonious Monk, Art Pepper, Dave Brubeck, and many more. Fine vocal recordings include those by Billie Holiday and Tony Bennett.

About This Version

Tony Bennett and Amy Winehouse recorded “Body and Soul” in 2011 for the album Duets II. The arrangement was written by Jorge Calendrelli. It was Amy’s last recording; she died on July 23, 2011.

“Body and Soul,” as well as Duets II is available on Apple Music.

Here’s the video from the recording session.

Filed Under: Song of the Day Tagged With: Amy Winehouse, Duets II, Edward Heyman, Frank Eyton, Johnny Green, Jorge Calendrelli, Robert Sour, Tony Bennett

March 27, 2022 By Suzanne Leave a Comment

Song of the Day: The Lady Is A Tramp

The song of the day for Monday, March 28, 2022, is “The Lady Is A Tramp.”

About Today

The Year of Tony Bennett is very pleased to wish Stefani Joanne Angelina Germanotta (known professionally as Lady Gaga) a very happy birthday. Lady Gaga was born on March 28, 1986. Happy birthday!!

About This Song

“The Lady Is A Tramp” was written by Richard Rodgers and Lorenz Hart in 1937 for the Broadway musical Babes In Arms. The song was meant as a spoof on the high society of New York, where the singer is clear about what she likes to do, no matter what everyone else is doing. “The Lady Is A Tramp” has been sung by Frank Sinatra, Ella Fitzgerald, and Lena Horne. More recently, Tony Bennett and Lady Gaga sang a duet of this song on their 2011 album “Duets II.”

About This Version

Tony Bennett and Lady Gaga recorded “The Lady Is A Tramp” for the 2011 album Duets II. The terrific arrangement was written by our good friend Marion Evans.

“The Lady Is A Tramp,” as well as Duets II is available on Apple Music.

Here’s the video from the recording session.

Filed Under: Song of the Day Tagged With: Duets II, Happy Birthday Lady Gaga, Lady Gaga, Lorenz Hart, Marion Evans, Richard Rodgers, Tony Bennett

March 24, 2022 By Suzanne Leave a Comment

Song of the Day: How Do You Keep The Music Playing

The song of the day for Friday, March 25, 2022, is “How Do You Keep The Music Playing.”

About Today

Today we are honoring the late Aretha Franklin, who was born on March 25, 1942.

About This Song

“How Do You Keep The Music Playing” was written in 1982 by Michel Legrand, with lyrics by Alan and Marilyn Bergman, for the movie Best Friends, starring Bert Reynolds and Goldie Hawn.

About This Version

Tony Bennett and Aretha Franklin recorded “How Do You Keep The Music Playing” in 2011 for Duets II. It was arranged by Jorge Calandrelli.

“How Do You Keep The Music Playing,” as well as Duets II is available on Apple Music.

Here’s the music video of this recording.

And while we’re paying tribute to Aretha Franklin, this clip from the Kennedy Center Honors in 2015 is one of the greatest moments I’ve ever seen.

Filed Under: Song of the Day Tagged With: Alan Bergman, Aretha Franklin, Duets II, Happy Birthday Aretha Franklin, Marilyn Bergman, Michel Legrand

March 17, 2022 By Suzanne Leave a Comment

Song of the Day: Who Can I Turn To (When Nobody Needs Me)

The song of the day for is “Who Can I Turn To (When Nobody Needs Me).”

About Today

We’re honoring Queen Latifah, who sang this song with Tony Bennett on Duets II, in celebrating her birthday. She was born on March 18, 1970, in Newark, NJ.

About This Song

“Who Can I Turn To (When Nobody Needs Me)” was was written by Leslie Bricusee and Anthony Newley for the British musical The Roar of the Greasepaint, The Smell of the Crowd. Producer David Merrick saw the production in London and decided to bring it to America, starting first with a nationwide tour. Around that time, Tony Bennett made this recording, which was a hit for him; this helped bring attention to the musical and helped ensure its success in the US.

About This Version

Tony Bennett and Queen Latifah recorded “Who Can I Turn To (When Nobody Needs Me)” in 2011 for Duets II. Jorge Calandrelli wrote the arrangement.

“Who Can I Turn To (When Nobody Needs Me),” as well as Duets II is available on Apple Music.

Filed Under: Song of the Day Tagged With: Anthony Newley, Duets II, Jorge Calandrelli, Leslie Bricusse, Queen Latifah, The Roar of the Greasepaint The Smell of the Crowd, Tony Bennett

February 27, 2022 By Suzanne Leave a Comment

Song of the Day: On the Sunny Side of the Street

The song of the day for Monday, February 28, 2022, is “On the Sunny Side of the Street.”

About This Song

“On the Sunny Side of the Street” was written in 1930 by Jimmy McHugh and Dorothy Fields for Lew Leslie’s International Revue. The song was one of the first in a series of cheerful songs to try to cheer people up over the Great Depression. It has proven popular with singers, who love the wonderful Fields lyrics, and jazz players, who love McHugh’s swingy tune.

About This Version

Tony Bennett and Willie Nelson recorded “On the Sunny Side of the Street” in 1992 for Duets II. Marion Evans wrote the arrangement.

“On the Sunny Side of the Street,” as well as Duets OO is available on Apple Music.

We’ve got a video of Bennett and Nelson recording the song:

Filed Under: Song of the Day Tagged With: Dorothy Fields, Duets II, Jimmy McHugh, Marion Evans, Tony Bennett, Willie Nelson

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