An Appreciation of the Art and Music of Tony Bennett
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
Too Darn Hot, a song by Ella Fitzgerald on Spotify
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
How High The Moon – 1st Take, a song by Ella Fitzgerald on Spotify
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.
The song of the day for Monday, June 6, 2016 is “You Showed Me The Way.”
Today’s song, “You Showed Me The Way,” was written in 1937 by Ella Fitzgerald, Chick Webb, Teddy McRae and Bud Green. Ella 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 gratitude for working with Webb.
Tony Bennett recorded “You Showed Me The Way” in 1995 for his album Here’s To The Ladies. In this album, Bennett chose songs associated with the great female singers of the 20th century. This song is, of course, the song he chose for his good friend Ella Fitzgerald.
You Showed Me the Way
You Showed Me the Way, a song by Tony Bennett on Spotify
“You Showed Me The Way,” as well as Here’s To The Ladies, is available from iTunes.
The song of the day for Saturday, June 20, 2015 is “I’ve Got Five Dollars.”
Rochard Rodgers and Lorenz Hart wrote “I’ve Got Five Dollars” for the 1931 musical America’s Sweetheart, where it was introduced by Ann Sothern (who was still using her given name of Harriette Lake) and Jack Whiting. Notable recordings include those by Ella Fitzgerald, Jeri Southern, and Tony Bennett.
I love the lyrics to this classic Depression-era song–in spite of tough times, love wins out! Bennett does a lovely job with this song.
I’ve Got Five Dollars
I’ve Got Five Dollars, a song by Tony Bennett on Spotify
“I’ve Got Five Dollars,” as well as The Complete Improv Recordings, is available from iTunes.
Yes, it’s Saturday and, sorry to say, I have no video to include. So instead, I offer a selection of today’s song sung by other artists. I hope you enjoy them.
We’ll start off with Bobby Short:
I’ve Got Five Dollars
I’ve Got Five Dollars, a song by Bobby Short on Spotify
And now Ella Fitzgerald:
I’ve Got Five Dollars
I’ve Got Five Dollars, a song by Ella Fitzgerald on Spotify
What about some Jeri Sothern?
I’ve Got Five Dollars
I’ve Got Five Dollars, a song by Ella Fitzgerald on Spotify
And this spectacular 1931 version from the Victor Arden-Phil Ohman Orchestra, with vocals from Frank Luther: