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The Year of Tony Bennett

An Appreciation of the Art and Music of Tony Bennett

January 11, 2023 By Suzanne Leave a Comment

Song of the Day: You Showed Me The Way

The song of the day for Thursday, January 12, 2023, is “You Showed Me The Way.”

About This Song

“You Showed Me The Way” was written in 1937 by Ella Fitzgerald, Chick Webb, Teddy McRae, and Bud Green. Fitzgerald co-wrote this song when she was just 18 years old and singing with Chick Webb at the Savoy Ballroom. The song eloquently describes her joy and thanks for working with Webb.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “You Showed Me The Way” in July 1995 and released that year on Here’s To The Ladies. The song is in tribute to Ella Fitzgerald. It was arranged and conducted by Jorge Calandrelli.

“You Showed Me The Way,” as well as Here’s To The Ladies is available on Apple Music.

Here’s the recording that Ella made with Chick Webb in 1937.

Filed Under: Song of the Day Tagged With: Bud Green, Bud GreenElla Fitzgerald, Chick Webb, Ella Fitzgerald, Teddy McRae

April 26, 2021 By Suzanne Leave a Comment

Song of the Day: It Don’t Mean A Thing (If It Ain’t Got That Swing)

The song of the day for Tuesday, April 27, 2021, is “It Don’t Mean A Thing (If It Ain’t Got That Swing).”

About This Song

Duke Ellington wrote “It Don’t Mean A Thing (If It Ain’t Got That Swing)” in 1931, with lyrics by Irving Mills. This song was one of the first songs to use the word “swing” in the title and this song certainly defined what it meant to swing. Ellington recorded the song with Ivie Anderson on vocals and it was an immediate hit. It has been widely recorded since it was written and the song is a lot of fun to play and to listen to. Significant recordings include those by Louis Armstrong, Django Reinhardt, Gigi Gryce, Tony Bennett, and Thelonious Monk.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded this version of “It Don’t Mean A Thing (If It Ain’t Got That Swing)” in 1999 for his album dedicated to Duke Ellington, Bennett Sings Ellington: Hot & Cool, which was released in the centenary year of Ellington’s birth. Ralph Burns wrote the very swinging arrangement.

It Don"t Mean A Thing (If It Ain"t Got That Swing)

Listen to It Don"t Mean A Thing (If It Ain"t Got That Swing) on Spotify. Tony Bennett · Song · 1999.

“It Don’t Mean A Thing (If It Ain’t Got That Swing),” as well as Bennett Sings Ellington: Hot & Cool, is available from Apple Music.

There are a lot of fantastic recordings of this song; I’ve narrowed it down to three.

First is Ellington’s original recording, featuring Ivie Anderson on vocals:

It Don"t Mean a Thing (If It Ain"t Got That Swing)

Listen to It Don"t Mean a Thing (If It Ain"t Got That Swing) on Spotify. Duke Ellington · Song · 2018.

Next is Louis Armstrong and Ellington, who got together for The Great Summit in 1961. I love this recording because of Armstrong singing the verse.

It Don"t Mean a Thing (If It Ain"t Got That Swing) - 1990 Remaster

Listen to It Don"t Mean a Thing (If It Ain"t Got That Swing) - 1990 Remaster on Spotify. Louis Armstrong · Song · 2001.

And finally, I just discovered this video of Ella Fitzgerald yesterday and it’s just great!

Ella Fitzgerald - It Don"t Mean a thing (If it ain"t got that swing) [1974]

Ella Fitzgerald, Joe Pass and others performing this Duke Ellington"s and Irving Mills" song in London, in 1974. This live date was recorded at Ronnie Scott"s Jazz Club in Soho. Note the fun she makes in the beginning of the song and also while singing it. Ella was and still is majestic.

Filed Under: Song of the Day Tagged With: Bennett Sings Ellington: Hot & Cool, Duke Ellington, Ella Fitzgerald, Irving Mills, Ivie Anderson, Ralph Burns, Tony Bennett

July 13, 2018 By Suzanne Leave a Comment

Dissertation on the Weather by Cole Porter

It went to 97 here in Portland yesterday and will be staying hot and sunny for a while.

Well, Cole Porter and Ella Fitzgerald have something to say about that. It seems that it’s too darn hot.

Too Darn Hot

Listen to Too Darn Hot on Spotify. Ella Fitzgerald · Song · 1956.

Filed Under: Song of the Day Tagged With: Cole Porter, Ella Fitzgerald, Kiss Me Kate

April 24, 2017 By Suzanne Leave a Comment

Remembering Ella Fitzgerald

The Year of Tony Bennett has been celebrating the centennial anniversary of the great Ella Fitzgerald, who was born on April 25, 1917 in Newport News, Virginia.

I’ll let the professional biographers tell her remarkable story. You can visit the official Ella Fitzgerald website here.

Instead, I want to share this recording of “How High The Moon” from her 1956 Lullabies of Birdland. This recording completely blows me away!

How High The Moon - 1st Take

Listen to How High The Moon - 1st Take on Spotify. Ella Fitzgerald · Song · 1954.

Filed Under: Etcetera Tagged With: Ella Fitzgerald, How High The Moon, Lullabies of Birdland

August 12, 2016 By Suzanne Leave a Comment

Too Darn Hot!

According to the weather report …

New York had a high of 94
Portland Oregon, my home, had a high of 97
Dallas Texas went up to 104.

If Tony Bennett had ever recorded this song, it would have been my song of the day. Instead, you get Ella Fitzgerald.

Filed Under: Etcetera Tagged With: Cole Porter, Ella Fitzgerald

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