The Year of Tony Bennett

An Appreciation of the Art and Music of Tony Bennett

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Song of the Day: Darn That Dream

The song of the day for Monday, June 25, 2018 is “Darn That Dream.”

About This Song

“Darn That Dream” was written for the 1939 musical Swingin’ the Dream, an adaptation of Shakespeare’s A Midsummer’s Night Dream, with a score by Jimmy Van Heusen and Eddie DeLange. 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 the album Cloud 7, released in 1955. Cloud 7 was Bennett’s first full-length album. Even more important, it was the album that he wanted to make–an all jazz album with a superb band.

Darn That Dream

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


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

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Song of the Day: Solitude

The song of the day for Monday, May 7, 2018 is “Solitude.”

About This Song

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) in 1934. The lyrics by Eddie DeLange and Irving Mills were added later, as was typical for many Ellington songs. 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 recorded this version of “Solitude” in 1996 for the album Tony Bennett On Holiday, an album of songs sung by Billie Holiday. The album won the 1998 Grammy Award for Best Traditional Pop Vocal Performance.

Solitude

Tony Bennett · Tony Bennett On Holiday: A Tribute To Billie Holiday · Song · 1997


“Solitude,” as well as Tony Bennett On Holiday, is available from iTunes.

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Song of the Day: Solitude

The song of the day for Monday, March 26, 2018 is “Solitude.”

About This Song

One of his masterpieces, Ellington is said to have written “Solitude” in twenty minutes at the recording session in 1934, as they were one number short (Ted Gioia in Jazz Standards). The lyrics were added later (as was customary for many of Duke Ellington’s songs) and were written by Eddie DeLange and Irving Mills. 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

Today’s version of “Solitude” is from Bennett’s 19625 concert at Carnegie Hall; the recording can be found 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 from iTunes.

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Song of the Day: Solitude

The song of the day for Thursday, January 19, 2018 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 (per 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

Today I’m featuring Mr. Bennett’s first recording of “Solitude,” made in 1958 with Count Basie and His Orchestra for the album In Person!

Solitude

Listen to Solitude on Spotify. Song · Tony Bennett · 1959


“Solitude,” as well as In Person!, is available from iTunes.

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Song of the Day: Darn That Dream

The song of the day for Tuesday, December 12, 2017 is “Darn That Dream.”

About This Song

“Darn That Dream” was written for the 1939 musical Swingin’ the Dream by Jimmy Van Heusen and Eddie DeLange. Swingin’ the Dream as 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 1955 for his first album Cloud 7.

After recording a string of hits for Columbia, in 1955 he was able to take complete creative control for this album. Not only was it his first full-length album but, more important to Bennett, it was a jazz album. Prominent jazz musicians that played on the album include Al Cohn (tenor sax), Ed Shaughnessy (drums), Gene DiNovi (piano) and Chuck Wayne (guitar). In addition to his guitar work, Wayne did most of the arrangements. Even after 60+ years, this album holds up very, very well and is certainly worth your time for a listen.

Darn That Dream

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


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