The Year of Tony Bennett

An Appreciation of the Art and Music of Tony Bennett

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Song of the Day: Laura

The song of the day for Friday, January 22, 2021, is “Laura.”

About This Song

“Laura” was written for the 1944 film of the same name by Davis Raksin, with lyrics by Johnny Mercer, 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” in 1959 for his album To My Wonderful One. It was arranged by Frank DeVol.

Laura

Tony Bennett · To My Wonderful One · Song · 1960

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

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Song of the Day: It Amazes Me

The song of the day for Tuesday, January 19, 2021, is “It Amazes Me.”

About This Song

Written in 1958, “It Amazes Me” is one of the non-theatrical popular songs written by Cy Coleman and Carolyn Leigh. 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 1959 for his album Long Ago and Far Away. Frank DeVol did the arrangement. Bennett has sung this song at all of the dozen or so concerts of his I’ve attended.

It Amazes Me

Listen to It Amazes Me on Spotify. Song · Tony Bennett · 1958

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

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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

Listen to After You"ve Gone on Spotify. Song · Tony Bennett · 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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