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The Year of Tony Bennett

An Appreciation of the Art and Music of Tony Bennett

January 6, 2021 By Suzanne Leave a Comment

Song of the Day: Darn That Dream

The song of the day for Thursday, January 7, 2021, is “Darn That Dream.”

About This Song

“Darn That Dream” was written by Jimmy Van Heusen and Eddie DeLange for the 1939 musical Swingin’ the Dream, an adaptation of Shakespeare’s A Midsummer’s Night Dream. The cast had many big names: Louis Armstrong playing Bottom, Maxine Sullivan as Titania, Bill Bailey, and Dorothy Dandridge. It only ran for 13 performances and is considered to be a flop. Fortunately, “Darn That Dream” proved to be a big hit and earned some money for the investors.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “Darn That Dream” in 1954 for his first jazz album, Cloud 7, released in 1955. Chuck Wayne wrote the arrangement.

Darn That Dream

Listen to Darn That Dream on Spotify. Tony Bennett · Song · 1955.

“Darn That Dream,” as well as Cloud 7, is available from Apple Music.

Filed Under: Song of the Day Tagged With: Chuck Wayne, Eddie DeLange, Jimmy Van Heusen, Tony Bennett

September 11, 2020 By Suzanne Leave a Comment

Tony Live! Moonglow

The song of the day for Saturday, September 12, 2020, is “Moonglow.”

About This Song

“Moonglow” was written in 1933 by Will Hudson and Irving Mills, with lyrics by Eddie DeLange. It’s been a popular song since it was written. The first recordings were by Joe Venuti and His Orchesta, Ethel Waters, and The Benny Goodman Orchestra. Later recordings include those by Billie Holiday and Artie Shaw.

About This Version

Tony Bennett and guest k.d. lang recorded “Moonglow” in 1994 for Bennett’s MTV Unplugged live performance. This led to a long-term collaboration of the two singers, including one of my favorites, A Wonderful World, consisting of songs associated with Louis Armstrong.

“Moonglow,” as well as MTV Unplugged, is available from Apple Music.

Filed Under: Song of the Day, Tony Live! Tagged With: Eddie DeLange, Irving Mills, k d lang, MTV Unplugged, Tony Bennett, Will Hudson

June 11, 2020 By Suzanne Leave a Comment

Song of the Day: Solitude

The song of the day for Friday, June 12, 2020, is “Solitude.”

About This Song

“Solitude” was written in 1934 by Duke Ellington; the lyrics by Eddie DeLange and Irving Mills were added later (as they were for most of Ellington’s compositions).

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 The 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 recorded this version of “Solitude” in 1996 for his album devoted to songs sung by Billie Holiday: Tony Bennett on Holiday. Jorge Calandrelli wrote the arrangement.

“Solitude,” as well as Tony Bennett on Holiday, is available from Apple Music.

If you have time to listen to two songs today, here’s Billie Holiday’s version, recorded and released on the Clef label in 1952 and re-released on Verve in 1956.

Filed Under: Song of the Day Tagged With: Billie Holiday, Duke Ellington, Eddie DeLange, Irving Mills, Jorge Calandrelli, Tony Bennett, Tony Bennett On Holiday

January 17, 2020 By Suzanne Leave a Comment

Tony Live! Solitude

The song of the day for Saturday, January 18, 2020, is “Solitude.”

About This Song

One of his masterpieces, Duke Ellington is said to have written “Solitude” in twenty minutes at the recording session, as they were one number short (Ted Gioia in The Jazz Standards). As customary many Ellington songs, the lyrics by Eddie DeLange and Irving Mills were added later. It’s a 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 sang “Solitude” at his concert at Carnegie Hall to open a selection of Ellington songs, all of which (amd much more) were released on Tony Bennett at Carnegie Hall.

“Solitude,” as well as Tony Bennett at Carnegie Hall, is available from iTunes.

Filed Under: Tony Live! Tagged With: Duke Ellington, Eddie DeLange, Irving Mills, Tony Bennett, Tony Live!

December 29, 2019 By Suzanne Leave a Comment

Song of the Day: Darn That Dream

The song of the day for Monday, Decembe3er 30, 2019, is “Darn That Dream.”

About This Song

“Darn That Dream” was written by Jimmy Van Heusen and Eddie DeLange for the 1939 musical Swingin’ the Dream, an adaptation of Shakespeare’s A Midsummer’s Night Dream. The cast had many big names: Louis Armstrong playing Bottom, Maxine Sullivan as Titania, Bill Bailey, and Dorothy Dandridge. It only ran for 13 performances and is considered to be a flop. Fortunately, “Darn That Dream” proved to be a big hit and earned some money for the investors.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “Darn That Dream” in 1954 for his first full-length LP, Cloud 7, released in 1955.

“Darn That Dream,” as well as Cloud 7, is available from iTunes.

Filed Under: Song of the Day Tagged With: Cloud 7, Eddie DeLange, Jimmy Van Heusen, Tony Bennett

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