The Year of Tony Bennett

An Appreciation of the Art and Music of Tony Bennett

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Song of the Day: I Get a Kick Out of You

The song of the day for Tuesday, May 21, 2019, is “I Get a Kick Out of You.”

About This Song

“I Get a Kick Out of You” was written by Cole Porter his 1934 musical Anything Goes, where it was introduced by Ethel Merman. It’s been popular since then and has been recorded by artists including Billie Holiday, Frank Sinatra, Anita O’Day, Max Roach, and many more. The original lyrics reference the use of cocaine (I get no kick from cocaine), and that particular line in the lyric is often rewritten, often to champagne.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “I Get a Kick Out of You” in 1957 for his second jazz album The Beat of My Heart (after Cloud 7). The album was conceived and arranged by Tony Bennett and Ralph Sharon. For the album, they invited some of the best percussionists in the world to appear on the album. “I Get a Kick Out of You” features Art Blakey. This recording did not appear on the original 1957 LP, but was, happily, included on the 1996 CD release.

In addition to the world-class percussionists, Bennett and Sharon brought in some the best musicians for the band, including Milt Hinton (bass), Al Cohn (tenor sax), and Eddie Costa (vibes), just to name a few.

The Beat of My Heart is a truly excellent album.

I Get a Kick out of You

I Get a Kick out of You, a song by Tony Bennett on Spotify

“I Get a Kick Out of You,” as well as The Beat of My Heart, is available from iTunes.

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Song of the Day: My Heart Sings

The song of the day for Thursday, May 31, 2016 is “My Heart Sings.”

About This Song

“My Heart Sings” was composed by Jean Blanvillain (aka Jamblin), with lyrics by Harold Rome and Henri Laurent Herpin. The song was used in the 1945 musical film Anchors Aweigh, where it was introduced by Kathryn Grayson.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “My Heart Sings” in 1961, with a very fine arrangement by Ralph Burns. The song was released on the 1961 album My Heart Sings. Burns put together an excellent big band sound for this album and this recording features some particularly nice saxophone playing. I’m not sure who the sax player was, but Zoot Sims is listed as one of the reed players. Other noted musicians for the album include Toots Mondello, Bernie Glow, Bernie Leighton, Milt Hinton and Eddie Costa. With a band like this plus arrangements by Ralph Burns and the voice of Tony Bennett, you’ve got a pretty special album.

(All of a Sudden) My Heart Sings

Listen to (All of a Sudden) My Heart Sings on Spotify. Song · Tony Bennett · 1961


“My Heart Sings,” as well as the album My Heart Sings, is available from iTunes.

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Song of the Day: Solitude

As we continue our celebration of the life and music of Duke Ellington this week, the song of the day for Wednesday, May 1, 2013 is Solitude.

About This Song

You might be forgiven for thinking that one of Duke Ellington’s most beautiful songs must have a few days or even weeks to write. But Duke Ellington once said, famously, that “I don’t need time; I need a deadline.” And, in fact, Solitude was written at its first recording session when Ellington found himself in need an extra number. He wrote it twenty minutes standing up against the glass enclosure at the RCA recording studio in Chicago (Al Gioia, Jazz Standards, page 378).

Written in 1934, (In My) Solitude is one of his most beloved (and most recorded) songs. Originally recorded as an instrumental in 1934, the lyrics were later added by Eddie DeLange and Irving Mills. Ellington himself recorded this song over 100 times, and it is a jazz classic recorded by performers including Paul Robeson, Billie Holiday, Nina Simone and Ella Fitzgerald, among many others.

About This Version

Tony Bennett has recorded Solitude several times, the first being with Count Basie for his 1959 album In Person! and most recently for his 1999 album Bennett Sings Ellington: Hot & Cool.

Today’s version is from his 1962 Carnegie Hall concert. In a remarkable performance of 44 songs that night, Solitude was his 34th song that night. Following a spirited version of Chicago, Solitude starts gently and quietly, with Bennett touching the opening notes lightly and building to an emotionally powerful ending. The orchestration, featuring the work of Eddie Costa on vibes at the beginning, then adding strings and finally with the full orchestra is perfect for Bennett’s arc in the song. Or, to put it simply, it’s really, really good.

http://open.spotify.com/track/66xcBH2f8VNVIcwP0HRFPe
Solitude, as well as the full Tony Bennett at Carnegie Hall album, is available from iTunes.