The Year of Tony Bennett

An Appreciation of the Art and Music of Tony Bennett

By Leave a Comment

Song of the Day: I Cover the Waterfront

The song of the day for Saturday, February 1, 2025, is “I Cover the Waterfront.”

About This Song

“I Cover the Waterfront” was written by Johnny Green and Edward Heyman in 1933. It was inspired by the 1932 novel I Cover the Waterfront, written by Max Miller, which was made into a film; the film was re-scored just before release to include the Johnny Green song. It has been recorded by Ella Fitzgerald, Sarah Vaughan, and even John Lee Hooker.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “I Cover the Waterfront” on November 4, 1958, for his 1959 album Hometown, My Town. Ralph Burns wrote the arrangements and conducted the album.

“I Cover the Waterfront,” as well as Hometown, My Town, is available on Apple Music.

By Leave a Comment

Song of the Day: Body and Soul

The song of the day for Sunday, November 17, 2024, is “Body and Soul.”

About This Song

“Body and Soul” was written in 1930, with music by Johnny Green and 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 recorded this version of “Body and Soul” in his ground-breaking MTV Unplugged concert, recorded on April 12, 1994, and subsequently aired on MTV. Bennett appeared with his trio: Ralph Sharon on piano, Doug Richeson on bass, and Clayton Cameron on drums. The album MTV Unplugged was released in June 1994.

MTV Unplugged won two 1994 Grammy Awards: Album of the Year and Best Traditional Pop Vocal Performance.

“Body and Soul,” as well as MTV Unplugged, is available on Apple Music.

We have the video of this performance:

By Leave a Comment

Song of the Day: When I Fall In Love

The song of the day for Friday, October 11, 2024, is “When I Fall In Love.”

About This Song

“When I Fall In Love” was written by Victor Young and Edward Heyman for the 1952 romantic war film One Minute to Zero, starring Robert Mitchum and Ann Blyth. The tagline on the movie poster was “Back of every man of action, there’s a woman made for love.” Well, it was 1952.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “When I Fall In Love” on December 30, 1958, for his second album with Count Basie and His Orchestra, In Person, released in 1959. Ralph Sharon wrote the arrangement.

“When I Fall In Love” as well as In Person!, is available on Apple Music.

By Leave a Comment

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.”

By Leave a Comment

Song of the Day: I Cover the Waterfront

The song of the day for Wednesday, April 10, 2024, is “I Cover the Waterfront.”

About This Song

“I Cover the Waterfront” was written in 1933 by Johnny Green and Edward Heyman. The song was inspired by the 1932 novel I Cover The Waterfront, written by Max Miller. A film of the novel was being made and re-scored just before release to include the Johnny Green song.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “I Cover the Waterfront” on November 4, 1958, for the album Hometown, My Town, released in 1959. The entire album was arranged and conducted by Ralph Burns.

“I Cover the Waterfront,” as well as Hometown, My Town, is available on Apple Music.