The Year of Tony Bennett

An Appreciation of the Art and Music of Tony Bennett

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Song of the Day: Body and Soul

The song of the day for Saturday, September 14, 2024, is “Body and Soul.”

About Today

Today we are remembering Amy Winehouse, who sang “Body and Soul” with Tony Bennett for Duets II. She was born on September 14, 1983, and died from alcohol poisoning on July 23, 2011. Her recording of “Body and Soul” with Bennett was her last recording.

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 March 2011 for the album Duets II. Jorge Calandrelli wrote the arrangement.

Duets II won the 54th Grammy Award for Best Traditional Pop Vocal Album. This recording of “Body and Soul” won the Grammy for Best Pop Duo/Group Performance.

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

We’re pleased to present the official video for “Body and Soul.”

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

The song of the day for Saturday, August 10, 2024, is “On The Sunny Side of the Street.”

About This Song

“On The Sunny Side of the Street” was written by Jimmy McHugh and Dorothy Fields for the 1930 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 2011 for Duets II. Marion Evans wrote the arrangement.

Duets II won the 2012 Grammy Award for Best Traditional Pop Album.

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

Here’s the official video for this recording:

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Song of the Day: Speak Low

The song of the day for Friday, May 24, 2024, is “Speak Low.”

About This Song

“Speak Low” was written by Kurt Weill and Ogden Nash for the 1943 musical One Touch of Venus, where it was introduced by Mary Martin and Kenny Baker. In addition to several very fine Tony Bennett recordings, “Speak Low” has been widely recorded by jazz and popular performers, including Ella Fitzgerald, Billie Holiday, and Lena Horne.

About This Version

Tony Bennett and Norah Jones recorded “Speak Low” in 2011 for Duets II. It was arranged by Jorge Calandrelli.

“Speak Low,” as well as Duets II, is available on Apple Music.

Here’s the official video of “Speak Low” from Duets II:

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

The song of the day for Monday, March 24, 2024, is “How Do You Keep the Music Playing?.”

About Today

Today we honor the late Aretha Franklin, who was born on March 25, 1942, in Memphis, Tennessee. Her father, Reverend Clarence La Vaughan Franklin, was a Baptist preacher, and her mother, Barbara Siggers Franklin, was a gospel singer who passed away when Aretha was ten. The Franklin family relocated to Detroit, where Aretha’s gifts were nurtured.

She became known as the Queen of Soul and had many hit records, including “Respect,” “Think,” and “A Natural Woman.” She died on August 16, 2018, at 76.

About This Song

“How Do You Keep the Music Playing” was written by Michel Legrand, with lyrics by Alan and Marilyn Bergman, for the 1982 movie Best Friends. It was one of three songs with lyrics by Alan and Marilyn Bergman that were nominated that year for an Academy Award for Best Song (though the award went to “Up Where We Belong” from the movie An Officer and a Gentleman). The song has become a popular standard and has had many fine recordings, including those by Frank Sinatra (who encouraged Bennett to sing this song), Frankie Laine, Johnny Mathis and Tony Bennett, Tony Bennett and George Michael, and, most recently, Tony Bennett and Aretha Franklin.

About This Version

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

Duets II won the 2012 Grammy Award for Best Traditional Pop Album.

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

We have a couple of videos for you today.

First is the official Vevo video of Bennett and Franklin’s recording of “How Do You Keep the Music Playing.”

This video is from the 2015 Kennedy Center Honors. Carole King was an honoree, and Miss Franklin was invited to sing King’s song “A Natural Woman.” The performance was outstanding and is remembered for making the First Couple, Barack and Micelle Obama, cry. It’s one of the greatest performances I’ve ever seen.

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

The song of the day for Monday, November 13, 2023, is “How Do You Keep The Music Playing.”

About This Song

“How Do You Keep The Music Playing” was written by Michel Legrand, Alan Bergman, and Marilyn Bergman for the 1982 movie Best Friends, which starred Burt Reynolds and Goldie Hawn. The initial recording was a duet by Patti Austin and James Ingram, which became a hit single in 1983. It was one of three songs with lyrics by Alan and Marilyn Bergman that were nominated that year for an Academy Award for Best Song (though the award went to “Up Where We Belong” from the movie An Officer and a Gentleman). The song has become a popular standard and has had many fine recordings, including those by Frank Sinatra (who encouraged Bennett to sing this song), Frankie Laine, Johnny Mathis and Tony Bennett, Tony Bennett and George Michael, and, most recently, Tony Bennett and Aretha Franklin.

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.

We also have the official video that shows the recording session with Miss Franklin.