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The Year of Tony Bennett

An Appreciation of the Art and Music of Tony Bennett

December 29, 2020 By Suzanne Leave a Comment

Song of the Day: Yesterday I Heard The Rain

The song of the day for is “Yesterday I Heard The Rain.”

The Year of Tony Bennett joins music lovers from all over in mourning for Armando Manzanero, composer of today’s song, who died on December 28, 2020, from Covid-19.

About This Song

Entitled “Esta Tarde Vi Llover” in the original Spanish, is one of Armando Manzanero’s most highly regarded songs, written in 1968. Born in 1935, Manzanero studied music in Mexico City and composed his first song at the age of 15. At the age of 16, he became a professional pianist. His songs, like “Yesterday I Heard The Rain” are beautiful and romantic songs. He is considered to be one of the most successful composers from Latin America. Gene Lees wrote the English lyrics.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “Yesterday I Heard The Rain” in 1968 for the album Yesterday I Heard The Rain. Torrie Zito wrote the arrangement.

Yesterday I Heard The Rain (Esta Tarde Vi Llover) – 2011 Remaster

Listen to Yesterday I Heard The Rain (Esta Tarde Vi Llover) – 2011 Remaster on Spotify. Tony Bennett · Song · 1968.

“Yesterday I Heard The Rain,” as well as the album Yesterday I Heard The Rain, is available from Apple Music.

Filed Under: Song of the Day Tagged With: Armando Manzanero, Gene Lees, Tony Bennett, Torrie Zito, Yesterday I Heard The Rain

October 26, 2020 By Suzanne Leave a Comment

Song of the Day: Quiet Nights of Quiet Stars

The song of the day for Tuesday, October 27, 2020, is “Quiet Nights of Quiet Stars.”

About This Song

“Quiet Nights of Quiet Stars” (“Corcovado” in the original Portuguese) was written in 1960 by Antonio Carlos Jobim, with English lyrics by Gene Lees. The song has a serene, quiet feeling–the English title fits the mood of the song perfectly. Both Stan Getz and Miles Davis recorded jazz versions of “Quiet Nights.”

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “Quiet Nights of Quiet Stars” in 1962 for the album I Wanna Be Around. The arrangement is by Marty Manning.

Quiet Nights of Quiet Stars (Corcovado)

Listen to Quiet Nights of Quiet Stars (Corcovado) on Spotify. Tony Bennett · Song · 1963.

“Quiet Nights of Quiet Stars,” as well as I Wanna Be Around, is available from Apple Music.

Filed Under: Song of the Day Tagged With: Antonio Carlos Jobim, Gene Lees, I Wanna Be Around, Marty Manning, Tony Bennett

June 10, 2020 By Suzanne Leave a Comment

Song of the Day: The Right To Love

The song of the day for Thursday, June 11, 2020, is “The Right To Love.”

About This Song

“The Right To Love” was written originally as an instrumental piece by Lalo Schifrin; it was first recorded, without lyrics, in 1963 on an album called Reflections by Stan Getz and Lalo Schifrin. Tony Bennett liked the song from the beginning and suggested that Gene Lees write the lyrics. The resulting song is an anthem for “forbidden” love. At that time, most people associated the song with interracial relationships; in later years, it has been adopted by gay singers. In addition to Bennett’s recording, this song has been recorded by Peggy Lee, Carmen McRae, and k.d. lang.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “The Right To Love” on February 18, 1965, and released in 1965 on the album If I Ruled the World: Songs for the Jet Set. It was arranged by Don Costa.

“The Right To Love” is the most-searched-for song on our sister site, The Interactive Tony Bennett Discography.

“The Right To Love,” as well as If I Ruled the World: Songs for the Jet Set, is available from Apple Music.

Filed Under: Song of the Day Tagged With: Don Costa, Gene Lees, If I Ruled The World: Songs For The Jet Set, Lalo Schifrin, Tony Bennett

May 22, 2020 By Suzanne Leave a Comment

Tony Live! Quiet Nights of Quiet Stars

The song of the day for Saturday, May 23, 2020, is “Quiet Nights of Quiet Stars.”

About This Song

“Quiet Nights of Quiet Stars” was written in 1960 by Antonio Carlos Jobim; the English lyrics by Gene Lees were added later. Known in the original Portuguese as “Corcovado,” this is one the great early bossa nova songs. The song has a serene quiet feeling–the English title fits the mood of the song perfectly. Both Stan Getz and Miles Davis recorded jazz versions of “Quiet Nights.”

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “Quiet Nights of Quiet Stars” on April 8, 1964, it was recorded live in the Conga Room at The Sahara Hotel in Las Vegas, Nevada. Ralph Sharon wrote the arrangement. The recording was released in 2011 as Live at the Sahara: Las Vegas, 1964.

“Quiet Nights of Quiet Stars,” as well as Live at the Sahara: Las Vegas, 1964, is available from iTunes.

Filed Under: Song of the Day, Tony Live! Tagged With: Antonio Carlos Jobim, Gene Lees, Live at the Sahara: Las Vegas 1964, Ralph Sharon, Tony Bennett

March 18, 2020 By Suzanne Leave a Comment

Song of the Day: Quiet Nights of Quiet Stars

The song of the day for Thursday, March 19, 2020, is “Quiet Nights of Quiet Stars.”

About This Song

“Quiet Nights of Quiet Stars” was written in 1960 by Antonio Carlos Jobim, with English lyrics by Gene Lees. Known in the original Portuguese as “Corcovado,” this is one the great early bossa nova songs. The song has a serene quiet feeling–the English title fits the mood of the song perfectly. Both Stan Getz and Miles Davis recorded jazz versions of “Quiet Nights.”

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “Quiet Nights of Quiet Stars” in 1962 for the album I Wanna Be Around. Marty Manning wrote the arrangement.

“Quiet Nights of Quiet Stars,” as well as I Wanna Be Around, is available from iTunes.

Filed Under: Song of the Day Tagged With: Antonio Carlos Jobim, Gene Lees, I Wanna Be Around, Marty Manning, Tony Bennett

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