The Year of Tony Bennett

An Appreciation of the Art and Music of Tony Bennett

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Song of the Day: Moments Like This

The song of the day for Wednesday, November 27, 2013 is “Moments Like This.”

About This Song

“Moments Like This” was written by Burton Lane (music) and Frank Loesser (lyrics) for the 1938 movie College Swing, starring Florence George, who introduced the song. It is a great ballad and got several good recordings when it was first released, including those by Maxine Sullivan, Dick Stabile and His Orchestra, and Teddy Wilson. Tony Bennett is credited (by Thomas Hischak in The American Musical Film Song Encyclopedia) for generating new interest in the song with his 1986 recording.

About This Version

Today’s song is from what is, as far as I’m concerned, the greatest come-back album ever: The Art of Excellence. And excellent it was. The album was produced by Danny Bennett and Ettore Stratta, whose song “Forget The Woman” was included on the album. The Ralph Sharon Trio, with Paul Langosch on bass and Joe LaBarbera on drums, played on the album. The orchestra was conducted by the Argentine composer, arranger and orchestrator Jorge Calandrelli. Mr. Calandrelli continues to work with Tony Bennett on his albums up to today. The great cover photography is by Annie Leibowitz. Excellence everywhere. Including today’s song.

http://open.spotify.com/track/4IqXiFVYg0cw1QyjxNuqvL
“Moments Like This,” as well as The Art of Excellence, is available from iTunes and Amazon.

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Song of the Day: The Lady’s In Love With You

The song of the day for Tuesday, July 23, 2013 is “The Lady’s In Love With You.”

About This Song

“The Lady’s In Love With You” was written in 1939 by Burton Lane and Frank Loesser. Burton Lane wrote the music for many fine musicals, including Finian’s Rainbow and On a Clear Day You Can See Forever. Frank Loesser wrote two of the great American musicals: Guys and Dolls and How To Succeed In Business Without Really Trying. Though Burton and Loesser wrote several songs together, they never collaborated on a musical.

About This Version

Today’s song is from Tony Makes It Happen! “The Lady’s In Love With You,” as well as all the songs on this album, was arranged and conducted by Marion Evans. His big band arrangements are superb, and Tony Makes It Happen! is a joy for fans of the big band sound. And Tony swings this number hard!

http://open.spotify.com/track/196IZPSQKytH80IeAzzT4b
“The Lady’s In Love With You,” as well as Tony Makes It Happen!, is available from iTunes.

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Song of the Day: Anywhere I Wander

The song of the day for Tuesday, March 12, 2013 is Anywhere I Wander.

About This Song

Written for the film Hans Christian Anderson, Anywhere I Wander was written by Frank Loesser in 1951.  The first hit recording was by Julius LaRosa, which reached the Billboard charts in 1953. I am partial as well to Liz Calloway’s recording in her album of the same name from 1993, which consists solely of Frank Loesser songs.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded Anywhere I Wander in 1952, with the Ray Charles Singers.  The recording was arranged and conducted by Percy Faith. It’s a classic Frank Loesser song, which is an excellent thing; Loesser is one of the great Broadway songwriters of the 20th century and it’s always a pleasure to hear his songs sung by Tony Bennett.

http://open.spotify.com/track/2QvW6HKdP1oFFFb9Ms1Y75
Anywhere I Wander, as well as all the songs on Columbia Singles, Volume 2, is available from iTunes.

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The Song of the Day: The Lady’s In Love With You

The song of the day for Tuesday, February 19, 2013 is The Lady’s In Love With You.

About The Lady’s In Love With You

Written in 1939 by Burton Lane and Frank Loesser, The Lady’s In Love With You was first recorded by Glenn Miller. It’s been a popular song for many noted singers, including Ella Fitzgerald, Sarah Vaughan, Margaret Whiting, Gerry Mulligan, Dave Frishberg and Rebecca Kilgore, and John Pizzarelli.

About This Version

I’ve been a 1960s mood all day, having spent my lunch hour drooling over mid-century homes and furnishings (what I wouldn’t give to have my parent’s living room from 1963). Tony Bennett’s recording of The Lady’s In Love With You, from Tony Makes It Happen!, conjures up the 1960s perfectly for me. It swings and it’s a lot of fun with a great big band arrangement by the wonderful Marion Evans, who is arranging Tony’s next album with Lady Gaga.

The Lady"s In Love with You

Listen to The Lady"s In Love with You on Spotify. Song · Tony Bennett · 1967

The Lady’s In Love With You, as well as the full Tony Makes It Happen!, is available from iTunes.