The Year of Tony Bennett

An Appreciation of the Art and Music of Tony Bennett

By Leave a Comment

I Cover The Waterfront

The song of the day for Sunday, October 8,. 2023, is “I Cover The Waterfront.”

About This Song

“I Cover The Waterfront” was written in 1933 by Johnny Green (who also wrote “Body and Soul”) and Edward Heyman. The song was 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” on November 4, 1958, for the album Hometown, My Town, released in 1959. It was arranged by Ralph Burns.

“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 Wednesday, September 14, 2023, is “Body and Soul.”

About Today

The Year of Tony Bennett is honoring the memory of Amy Winehouse, who was born on September 14, 1983, in London.

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 2011 for the album Duets II. It was arranged by Jorge Calandrelli.

“Body and Soul” was Amy Winehouse’s last recording. She died on July 23, 2011.

Duets II won the 2012 Grammy Award for Best Traditional Pop Album.
“Body and Soul” won the 2012 Grammy Award for Best Pop/Duo Performance.

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

Duets II won the 2012 Grammy Award for Best Traditional Pop Album.
“Body and Soul” won the 2012 Grammy Award for Best Pop/Duo Performance.

We have the video of the session with Tony Bennett and Amy Winehouse:

By Leave a Comment

Song of the Day: I Cover The Waterfront

The song of the day for Monday, September 4, 2023, is “I Cover The Waterfront.”

About This Song

“I Cover The Waterfront” was composed by Johnny Green, with lyrics written by Edward Heyman, in 1933. The title was 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” on November 4, 1958, for the album Hometown, My Town, which was released in 1959. Ralph Burns wrote the arrangements for this album and conducted the orchestra.

“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 Wednesday, May 24, 2023, 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

Today we have Bennett’s first recording of “Body and Soul,” recorded in May 1989 for his 1990 autobiographical album Astoria: Portrait of the Artist. Jorge Calandrelli wrote the arrangement and conducted the orchestra.

“Body and Soul,” as well as Astoria: Portrait of the Artist is available on Apple Music.

By Leave a Comment

Song of the Day: Body and Soul

The song of the day for Wednesday, February 22, 2203, is “Body and Soul.”

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 2011 for Duets II. Jorge Calandrelli wrote the arrangement.

This recording won the 2012 Grammy Award for Best Pop Duo/Groupo Performance. It was also Winehouse’s last recording, made just weeks before her death on July 23, 2011.

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

Here’s the video with Tony and Amy:

Subscribe to The Year of Tony Bennett

Enter your email address to subscribe to this blog and receive notifications of new posts by email.

Current Reader Favorites