The Year of Tony Bennett

An Appreciation of the Art and Music of Tony Bennett

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Song of the Day: Taking a Chance on Love

The song of the day for Tuesday, August 8, 2017 is “Taking a Chance on Love.”

About This Song

“Taking a Chance on Love” was composed by Vernon Duke, with lyrics by John La Touche and Ted Fetter, in 1940 for the musical Cabin in the Sky, where it was introduced by the great Ethel Waters and Dooley Wilson. The song works well for both jazz singers and instrumentalists, with significant recordings by Dave Brubeck, Tony Bennett, Judy Garland and Dizzy Gillespie.

About This Version

Tony Bennett had already recorded “Taking a Chance on Love” in 1956 for his album Tony before he and Count Basie decided to record it in 1958 for In Person! Ralph Sharon did the arrangement.

Taking a Chance on Love

Listen to Taking a Chance on Love on Spotify. Tony Bennett & Count Basie · Song · 2013.


“Taking a Chance on Love,” as well as In Person!, is available from iTunes.

As a special treat, here is the wonderful Ethel Waters singing this song with Eddie Anderson from the film version of Cabin in the Sky. The featured dancer is none other than Bill Bailey. Enjoy!

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Song of the Day: Happiness Is A Thing Called Joe

The song of the day for Saturday, February 13, 2016 is “Happiness Is A Thing Called Joe.”

About This Song

Today’s song, “Happiness Is A Thing Called Joe,” was written by Harold Arlen and Yip Harburg for the 1943 film version of Cabin in the Sky featured Miss Waters with the role of Joe played by Eddie Anderson. The song not used in the original Broadway version of Cabin in the Sky, produced in 1941.

As we speak, Encores! at the New York City Center is producing a staged concert version of the original score of Cabin in the Sky (and to rave reviews). For this presentation, and with the permission of all the estates associated with the Broadway production, “Happiness Is A Thing Called Joe” was used in this concert version. I still have my fingers crossed for a recording.

About This Version

Tony Bennett, with only Ralph Sharon on piano, recorded “Happiness Is A Thing Called Joe” in 1959 for the album Tony Sings For Two, which was released in 1961.

Happiness Is A Thing Called Joe

Listen to Happiness Is A Thing Called Joe on Spotify. Tony Bennett · Song · 1961.


“Happiness Is A Thing Called Joe,” as well as Tony Sings For Two, is available from iTunes.

About Today

Our video today is Ethel Waters singing “Happiness Is A Thing Called Joe” to her husband, played by Eddie Anderson. And yes, that’s Butterfly McQueen at the very beginning.

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Song of the Day: Stormy Weather

The song of the day for Saturday, February 6, 2016 is “Stormy Weather.”

About This Song

“Stormy Weather” was written in 1933 by Harold Arlen and Ted Koehler for the Cotton Club, where is was introduced by Ethel Waters. Lena Horne, who sang with Tony Bennett in the 1970s, recorded this song in 1943 and remains strongly associated with it. It has also been recorded by Kay Starr, Billie Holiday, Frank Sinatra and Ella Fitzgerald.

About This Version

Today’s version of “Stormy Weather” the duet sung by Tony Bennett and Natalie Cole on Bennett’s 2001 album Playin’ With My Friends. The vocal arrangement is by Rob Mathes.

Stormy Weather

Listen to Stormy Weather on Spotify. Tony Bennett, Natalie Cole · Song · 2001.


“Stormy Weather,” as well as Playin’ With My Friends, is available from iTunes.

About Today

Today would have been the 66th birthday of Natalie Cole. I am still somewhat in shock over her death last year and miss her voice–she was a wonderful singer. Happy birthday, Natalie.

It’s also video Saturday. Alas, no videos exist of Ethel Waters singing “Stormy Weather,” but there are recordings and before I offer up a video, I wanted to pay tribute to her 1933 recording of this song that she made famous.

Stormy Weather (Keeps Rainin" All The Time) - 78rpm Version

Listen to Stormy Weather (Keeps Rainin" All The Time) - 78rpm Version on Spotify. Ethel Waters · Song · 1925.

And now … the incomparable Lena Horne from 1943. The featured dancer at the end is Katherine Dunham.

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Song of the Day: Happiness Is A Thing Called Joe

The song of the day for Saturday, January 24, 2015 is “Happiness Is A Thing Called Joe.”

About This Song

“Happiness Is A Thing Called Joe” was written by Harold Arlen and Yip Harburg for the 1940 Broadway musical Cabin in the Sky, starring Ethel Waters and Dooley Wilson. The song was introduced by Ethel Waters, sung to her husband Joe, played by Dooley Wilson. The 1943 film version of Cabin in the Sky also featured Miss Waters with the role of Joe played by Eddie Anderson.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “Happiness Is A Thing Called Joe” on his legendary (well, legendary to me) album Tony Sings For Two. Tony Bennett and Ralph Sharon went to the studio with a lot of sheet music and chose, arranged and recorded 19 songs at a single session! The results were an extraordinary album.

Happiness Is A Thing Called Joe

Listen to Happiness Is A Thing Called Joe on Spotify. Tony Bennett · Song · 1961.


“Happiness Is A Thing Called Joe,” as well as Tony Sings For Two, is available from iTunes.

About Today

And, once again, it’s Saturday and that means a video. Here’s Ethel Waters singing today’s song to Dooley Wilson, from the 1943 film Cabin In The Sky:

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Song of the Day: Taking a Chance on Love

The song of the day for Saturday, January 11, 2014 is “Taking a Chance on Love.”

About This Song

“Taking a Chance on Love” was written for the 1940 musical Cabin in the Sky by Vernon Duke, with lyrics by John La Touche and Ted Fetter. The song was introduced by the great Ethel Waters and Dooley Wilson. The song works well for both jazz singers and instrumentalists, with significant recordings by Dave Brubeck, Tony Bennett, Judy Garland and Dizzy Gillespie.

About This Version

Tony Bennett first recorded this song for his second album, Tony, released in 1957. However, I prefer this version from 1958 In Person! with Count Basie and His Orchestra. This version was also used on the 1962 album I Left My Heart in San Francisco.

http://open.spotify.com/track/7eZGFUxQlMDkDPzJAuGYQm
“Taking a Chance on Love,” as well as the album In Person! with Count Basie and His Orchestra, is available from iTunes.

And as it’s YouTube Saturday, I have two videos for you.

The first is Tony Bennett singing today’s song:

And here is Miss Ethel Waters from Cabin in the Sky:

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