The Year of Tony Bennett

An Appreciation of the Art and Music of Tony Bennett

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Song of the Day: Let’s Face The Music And Dance

The song of the day for Monday, August 31, 2020, is “Let’s Face The Music And Dance.”

About This Song

“Let’s Face the Music and Dance” was written in 1936 for the film Follow the Fleet with Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers. The Astaire – Rogers dance to this song is considered one of their best. It has also been recorded by singers including Frank Sinatra and Nat King Cole.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “Let’s Face The Music And Dance” for his 1987 album Bennett/Berlin. Bennett arranged the song for this album.

“Let’s Face The Music And Dance,” as well as Bennett/Berlin, is available from Apple Music.

Of course I’m including the video of Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers from Follow The Fleet. I’m not some kind of monster.

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Tony Live! You’re All The World To Me

The song of the day for is “You’re All The World To Me.”

About This Song

“You’re All The World To Me” was written by Burton Lane and Alan Jay Lerner for the 1951 MGM musical Royal Wedding, starring Fred Astaire. Astaire performed this song in one of the most famous shots in all of musical film: the dancing on the ceiling number

About This Version

Tony Bennett sang “You’re All The World To Me” at his 1994 live performance on MTV Unplugged with The Ralph Sharon Trio.

“You’re All The World To Me” as well as MTV Unplugged, is available from Apple Music.

And here’s Fred Astaire, dancing on that ceiling, from Royal Wedding.

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Song of the Day: Isn’t This a Lovely Day?

The song of the day for Monday, July 20, 2020, is “Isn’t This a Lovely Day?”

About This Song

This delightful song was written by Irving Berlin in 1935 for the Fred Astaire / Ginger Rogers movie Top Hat. In the film, Astaire and Rogers are caught in a rainstorm while sitting in an outdoor gazebo. The song was introduced by Fred Astaire. This song has also been recorded by Ella Fitzgerald, Louis Armstrong, Diana Krall, Jeri Southern, and Tony Bennett.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “Isn’t This a Lovely Day?” in 1987 for his album Bennett/Berlin. Bennett did his own arrangement.

“Isn’t This a Lovely Day?,” as well as Bennett/Berlin, is available from Apple Music.

In 1962, Fred Astaire made an album with pianist Oscar Peterson named Fred Astaire Sings & Swings Irving Berlin. I heard this recording last Saturday on John Pizzarelli and Jessica Molaskey’s Radio Deluxe program and wanted to share it too. The very nice tenor saxophone solo was by Flip Phillips.

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Song of the Day: Night and Day

The song of the day for Wednesday, May 20, 2020, is “Night and Day.”

About This Song

“Night and Day” was written by Cole Porter for the 1932 musical Gay Divorce, where it was introduced by Fred Astaire. The song became and still is quite popular and certainly a standard in the American songbook. Significant recordings include those by Art Tatum, Bill Evans, Billie Holiday, Frank Sinatra, Charlie Parker, Ella Fitzgerald, and Django Reinhardt.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “Night and Day” in 1992 for his album Perfectly Frank, dedicated to Frank Sinatra. Ralph Sharon wrote the very effective arrangement.

Perfectly Frank won the 1992 Grammy Award for Best Traditional Pop Vocal Performance.

“Night and Day,” as well as Perfectly Frank, is available from iTunes.

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Song of the Day: City of Angels

The song of the day for Tuesday, March 24, 2020, is “City of Angels.”

About This Song

“City of Angels” was written by Fred Astaire and Tommy Wolfe. In addition to Astaire’s phenomenal gifts as a singer, dancer, and actor, he was also a fine songwriter. In addition to “City of Angels,” he also wrote “I’m Building Up to an Awful Letdown” (written with Johnny Mercer), and “It’s Like Taking Candy From a Baby,” which he recorded with Benny Goodman.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “City of Angels” in 1986 for The Art of Excellence. The album was Bennett’s first album with Columbia after he returned to the label.

“City of Angels,” as well as The Art of Excellence, is available from iTunes.

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