The Year of Tony Bennett

An Appreciation of the Art and Music of Tony Bennett

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Song of the Day: I Cover the Waterfront

The song of the day for Thursday, January 21, 2021, is “I Cover the Waterfront.”

About This Song

“I Cover the Waterfront” was written in 1933 by Johnny Green and Edward Heyman and inspired by the 1932 novel of the same name by Max Miller, which was also made into a film and re-scored just prior to 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” in 1958 for his album Hometown, My Town, released in 1959. The entire album was arranged and conducted by Ralph Burns.

I Cover The Waterfront – 2011 Remaster

Listen to I Cover The Waterfront – 2011 Remaster on Spotify. Tony Bennett · Song · 1959.

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

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Song of the Day: Body and Soul

The song of the day for Monday, September 14, 2020, is “Body and Soul.”

About Today

We are remembering the late Amy Winehouse, who was born on September 14, 1983, and died on July 23, 2011, at the age of 27. Her duet with Tony Bennett of “Body and Soul” 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. The album won the 2012 Grammy Award for Best Traditional Pop Album. This recording of “Body and Soul” won the 2012 Grammy Award for best Best Pop Duo/Group Performance.

“Body and Soul,” as well as Duets II, is available from Apple Music.

Here is the video made of their recording session.

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Song of the Day: Love Letters

The song of the day for Friday, March 27, 2020, is “Love Letters.”

About This Song

“Love Letters: was written in 1945 by Victor Young and Edward Heyman for a film of the same name. It was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Original Song. It has been recorded by Nat King Cole, Dick Haymes, and Elvis Presley, among others.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “Love Letters” in 1954 for his first full-length LP, Cloud 7, released in 1955. “Love Letters” was arranged by Chuck Young.

“Love Letters,” as well as Cloud 7, is available from iTunes.

A Note to Readers

You may have noticed that I have not been posting every day. I’m fighting psoriatic arthritis, which has affected my hands, which sometimes hurt bad enough that I can’t type. The good news is that I’ll be starting a new medicine for this and hope to back to normal soon. Thank you for understanding.

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Song of the Day: Easy Come, Easy Go

The song of the day for Saturday, October 19, 2019, is “Easy Come, Easy Go.”

About This Song

“Easy Come, Easy Go” was written in 1934 by Johnny Green and Edward Heyman, who wrote “Body and Soul” and other great songs. Today’s song was first recorded by Johnny Green and His Orchestra. Other recordings include those by Anita O’Day, Bobby Short, and Helen Merrill.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “Easy Come, Easy Go” in 1971; it was released the following year on his album With Love. Robert Farnon wrote the arrangement and conducted the orchestra.

“Easy Come, Easy Go,” as well as With Love, is available from iTunes.

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Song of the Day: Body and Soul

The song of the day for Saturday, September 14, 2019, is “Body and Soul.”

About Today

The late Amy Jade Winehouse was born on September 14, 1983. She died on July 23, 2011, from alcohol poisoning. Her family set up the Amy Winehouse Foundation to help young people combat addiction to drugs and alcohol.

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 and Amy Winehouse recorded “Body and Soul” in March 2011 for the album Duets II. It was her last recording. Not only did Duets II win the Grammy Award for Best Traditional Pop Album, Bennett and Winehouse won the Grammy Award for Best Pop Duo or Group Performance.

“Body and Soul,” as well as Duets II, is available from iTunes.

This video was made during the recording session in London for “Body and Soul”

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