The Year of Tony Bennett

An Appreciation of the Art and Music of Tony Bennett

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Song of the Day: After You’ve Gone

The song of the day for Tuesday, November 10, 2020, is “After You’ve Gone.”

About This Song

“After You’ve Gone” was written in 1918 by Turner Layton and Henry Creamer. Originally recorded by Marion Harris in 1918, “After You’ve Gone” has found a solid place in the jazz and popular songbook. Recorded by Bennett as a ballad, the song works for a variety of tempos both as an instrumental and a vocal. Louis Armstrong recorded an up-tempo swing version in 1929.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “After You’ve Gone” in 1960 for the album Alone Together. Frank DeVol did the arrangement and orchestration.

After You’ve Gone – 2011 Remaster

Listen to After You’ve Gone – 2011 Remaster on Spotify. Tony Bennett · Song · 1961.

“After You’ve Gone,” as well as Alone Together, is available from Apple Music.

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Song of the Day: Time After Time

The song of the day for Friday, July 17, 2020, is “Time After Time.”

About This Song

“Time After Time” was written by Frank Loesser and Sammy Cahn in 1947 for the movie It Happened in Brooklyn. The song was introduced by Frank Sinatra and was a major hit for him. It’s been widely recorded by many artists. In his fine book The Jazz Standards, Al Gioia quotes Jule Styne as saying “It’s a man’s song — ‘Time After Time.’ When a woman sings it, it is drained of all its power, so to speak. The girls can’t do it.” Well, tell that to Sarah Vaughan, Ella Fitzgerald, Carmen McRae, Anita O’Day, and Cyndi Lauper.

About This Version

Tony Bennett has recorded “Time After Time” three times. This year, I’ve already featured his live version from 1964 on Tony Bennett Live at the Sahara: From This Moment On and on the 1992 Perfectly Frank. Today is his 1958 recording on the album Long Ago And Far Away, arranged by Frank DeVol.

“Time After Time,” as well as Long Ago and Far Away, is available from Apple Music.

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Song of the Day: Laura

The song of the day for Thursday, May 15, 2020, is “Laura.”

About This Song

“Laura” was written by David Raksin and Johnny Mercer for the 1944 film of the same name, starring Gene Tierney and Dana Andrews. Raksin was known as a film composer (he also wrote the title song for The Bad and the Beautiful, which is included on the Bill Evans-Tony Bennett album Together Again), his compositions are often jazz standards. “Laura” has been recorded many times, by both singers and instrumentalists.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “Laura” for his 1960 album To My Wonderful One, arranged and conducted by Frank DeVol.

“Laura,” as well as To My Wonderful One, is available from iTunes.

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Song of the Day: Out Of This World

The song of the day for Thursday, February 13, 2020, is “Out Of This World.”

About This Song

“Out Of This World” was written by Harold Arlen and Johnny Mercer for the 1945 movie of the same name. Out Of This World starred Eddie Bracken. However, Bing Crosby dubbed the vocals for Bracken and introduced the song. Alec Wilder was a fan of this song, praising its ethereal quality and the excellent lyrics by Mercer.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “Out Of This World” in 1960 for the album Alone Together. Frank DeVol arranged and conducted the album.

“Out Of This World,” as well as Alone Together, is available from iTunes.

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Song of the Day: It Amazes Me

The song of the day for Friday, August 30, 2019, is “It Amazes Me.”

About This Song

Cy Coleman and Carolyn Leigh wrote “It Amazes Me” in 1958. Liza Minnelli recorded this song when she was only eighteen years old, on her first album. It has also been recorded by Bill Evans, George Shearing, and Cleo Laine.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “It Amazes Me” in 1958 for his album Long Ago and Far Away. The very nice arrangement is by Frank DeVol.

“It Amazes Me,” as well as Long Ago and Far Away, is available from iTunes.

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