The Year of Tony Bennett

An Appreciation of the Art and Music of Tony Bennett

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Song of the Day: Solitude

The song of the day for Tuesday, June 22, 2021, is “Solitude.”

About This Song

“Solitude” was written in 1934 by Duke Ellington, with lyrics by Eddie DeLange and Irving Mills. One of his masterpieces, Ellington is said to have written “Solitude” in twenty minutes at the recording session, as they were one number short (Ted Gioia in Jazz Standards). It’s a very strong song for both vocalists and instrumentalists. Ellington made over a hundred recordings of this song. Other great recordings include those by Paul Robeson, Ella Fitzgerald, Billie Holiday, and Billy Eckstine.

About This Version

Tony Bennett first recorded “Solitude” in 1958 for his album with Count Basie: In Person! He performed it at his 1962 Carnegie Hall concert on June 9, 1962. I think this version of “Solitude” is not just Bennett’s finest recording of this song; I think it’s one of the greatest recordings of “Solitude” ever recorded and it’s captured on Tony Bennett At Carnegie Hall.

Solitude - Live at Carnegie Hall, New York, NY - June 1962

Listen to Solitude - Live at Carnegie Hall, New York, NY - June 1962 on Spotify. Song · Tony Bennett, Ralph Sharon & His Orchestra · 1962

“Solitude,” as well as Tony Bennett At Carnegie Hall is available on Apple Music.

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Song of the Day: Don’t Get Around Much Anymore

The song of the day for Friday, May 14, 2021, is “Don’t Get Around Much Anymore.”

About This Song

“Don’t Get Around Much Anymore” was written in 1940 by Duke Ellington, with lyrics by Bob Russell. Originally written as an instrumental, Ellington named the song “Never No Lament.” Russell’s lyrics came in 1942 and the song’s title was changed to the current “Don’t Get Around Much Anymore.” The somewhat sad lyric of the jilted lover who would just rather stay home bumps up against the very cheerful tune.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded this version of “Don’t Get Around Much Anymore” for his 1967 album Tony Makes It Happen! The wonderful Marion Evans wrote the arrangement.

Don"t Get Around Much Anymore

Listen to Don"t Get Around Much Anymore on Spotify. Song · Tony Bennett · 1967

“Don’t Get Around Much Anymore,” as well as Tony Makes It Happen!, is available from Apple Music.

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Song of the Day: Mood Indigo

The song of the day for Saturday, May 1, 2021, is “Mood Indigo.”

About This Song

Originally titled “Dreamy Blues,” Duke Ellington wrote this song in 1930, which is based on a theme by Barney Bigard, who is said to have learned it from his New Orleans clarinet teacher, Lorenzo Tio. Ellington wrote the song specifically for “microphone transmission” and it was first played on a 1930 radio broadcast. Audiences loved the song, and so Irving Mills wrote the lyric, changing the name of the song to “Mood Indigo.” The song has been widely recorded by instrumental and vocal artists, including Tony Bennett, Charles Mingus, Ella Fitzgerald, Thelonious Monk, Frank Sinatra, and Nat King Cole.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “Mood Indigo” in 1999 for his album Bennett Sings Ellington: Hot & Cool. The arrangement by Jorge Calandrelli features Wynton Marsalis on trumpet and Al Grey on trombone.

We hope you have enjoyed Duke Ellington Week on The Year of Tony Bennett. To quote Duke: “We love you madly!”

Mood Indigo

Tony Bennett · Bennett Sings Ellington / Hot And Cool · Song · 1999

“Mood Indigo,” as well as Bennett Sings Ellington: Hot & Cool, is available from Apple Music.

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Song of the Day: Do Nothin’ Till You Hear From Me

The song of the day for Friday, April 30, 2021, is “Do Nothin’ Till You Hear From Me.”

About This Song

“Do Nothin’ Till You Hear From Me” was written by Duke Ellington, with lyrics from Bob Russell, in 1940. As with most Ellington songs, the tune was written first and the lyrics added later. Also, as with most Ellington songs, it became a favorite song of both instrumental and vocal musicians. Ellington recorded the song in 1944 and it was a hit on both the R&B and Popular charts. Other recordings include those by Tony Bennett, Louis Armstrong, Sammy Davis, Jr., Anita O’Day, and Nina Simone.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded ” Do Nothin’ Till You Hear From Me” in 1999 from Bennett Sings Ellington: Hot & Cool. Jorge Calandrelli wrote the arrangement.

Do Nothin" Till You Hear From Me

Listen to Do Nothin" Till You Hear From Me on Spotify. Song · Tony Bennett · 1999

“Do Nothin’ Till You Hear From Me,” as well as Bennett Sings Ellington: Hot & Cool, is available from Apple Music.

Here’s Ellington’s 1944 recording of “Do Nothin’ Till You Hear From Me.”

Do Nothin" "Til You Hear from Me

Listen to Do Nothin" "Til You Hear from Me on Spotify. Song · Duke Ellington · 2018

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Song of the Day: Sophisticated Lady

The song of the day for Thursday, April 29, 2021, is “Sophisticated Lady.”

About Today

Today marks the 122nd anniversary of the birth of Duke Ellington, born in Washington D.C. on April 29, 1899. His music will never be forgotten and will never be outdated.

About This Song

“Sophisticated Lady” was written by Duke Ellington in 1932, with lyrics by Irving Mills and Mitchell Parish. Ellington is said to have been inspired to write this song by two of his grade school teachers, who toured Europe in the summers after teaching all year. “To me that spelled sophistication.” “Sophisticated Lady” was first recorded in 1933 on the flip side with Harold Arlen’s “Stormy Weather.” It is, of course, one of Ellington’s most popular and often-played songs. In addition to numerous recordings by Ellington over the years, the song has been recorded by Art Tatum, Anita O’Day, Billie Holiday, Billy Eckstine, Johnny Hodges, Sarah Vaughan, and Glenn Miller.

About This Version

Tony Bennett was recorded in 1999 for the album Bennett Sings Ellington: Hot & Cool. Jorge Calandrelli wrote the arrangement.

Sophisticated Lady

Tony Bennett · Bennett Sings Ellington / Hot And Cool · Song · 1999

“Sophisticated Lady,” as well as Bennett Sings Ellington: Hot & Cool, is available from Apple Music.

Here’s Ellington’s 1932 instrumental recording.

Sophisticated Lady - Take 2

Listen to Sophisticated Lady - Take 2 on Spotify. Song · Duke Ellington · 2018

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