The Year of Tony Bennett

An Appreciation of the Art and Music of Tony Bennett

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Song of the Day: Fascinating Rhythm

The song of the day for Sunday, January 20, 2021, is “Fascinating Rhythm.”

About This Song

Written by George and Ira Gershwin in 1924 for the Broadway musical Lady Be Good, “Fascinating Rhythm” was introduced by Cliff Edwards and Fred and Adele Astaire. The Astaires also recorded the song in 1926 with Gershwin on the piano. “Fascinating Rhythm” was and still is, a jazz number. For that reason, it has never been out of favor with jazz artists, both vocal and instrumental.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded this version of “Fascinating Rhythm” in 1958 with The Count Basie Big Band for the 1959 album In Person.

Fascinatin’ Rhythm

Listen to Fascinatin’ Rhythm on Spotify. Tony Bennett · Song · 1959.

“Fascinating Rhythm,” as well as In Person, is available from Apple Music.

Bennett first recorded “Fascinating Rhythm” on the Leslie label. Long thought to be lost, a copy of the record was found and was included in the 2011 Complete Collection Box Set.

Fascinatin’ Rhythm – 2011 Remaster

Listen to Fascinatin’ Rhythm – 2011 Remaster on Spotify. Tony Bennett · Song · 2012.

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Song of the Day: Hi-Ho

The song of the day for Monday, November 9, 2020, is “Hi-Ho.”

About This Song

Written by George and Ira Gershwin, “Hi-Ho” has been called ‘Gershwin’s least-known great song’ by blogger Walter Rimler. It was one of the first songs the Gershwin brothers wrote when they first came to Hollywood and slated for the movie Shall We Dance featuring Fred Astaire dancing in the streets of Paris. The song was cut due to concerns over the costs for filming the sequence. The song faded from then and was only published in 1968. Tony Bennett’s was the first recording of this song.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “Hi-Ho” in 1968 for his album Yesterday I Heard The Rain, featuring an arrangement by Torrie Zito.

Hi-Ho – 2011 Remaster

Listen to Hi-Ho – 2011 Remaster on Spotify. Tony Bennett · Song · 1968.

“Hi-Ho,” as well as Yesterday I Heard The Rain, is available from Apple Music.

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Song of the Day: Love Is Here To Stay

The song of the day for Thursday, October 1, 2020, is “Love Is Here To Stay.”

About This Song

“Love Is Here To Stay” was written by George and Ira Gershwin in 1937 for The Goldwyn Follies movie, which was released after George Gershwin’s death. It’s also known as “Our Love Is Here To Stay,” but the published title of the song omits the “Our.”

About This Version

Tony Bennett and Diana Krall recorded “Love Is Here To Stay” for their 2018 album Love Is Here To Stay. Bill Charlap produced the album and did all the arrangements as well.

“Love Is Here To Stay,” as well as the album Love Is Here To Stay, is available from Apple Music.

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Song of the Day: S’Wonderful

The song of the day for Wednesday, September 30, 2020, is “S’Wonderful.”

About This Song

George and Ira Gershwin wrote “S’Wonderful” for the 1927 musical Funny Face, where it was introduced by Adele Astaire (Fred’s sister) and Allen Kearns.

About This Version

Tony Bennett and Diana Krall, with The Bill Charlap Trio, recorded “S’Wonderful” for their 2018 album Love Is Here To Stay. Bill Charlap arranged and produced the album. In addition to Charlap, the trio includes Peter Washington on bass and Kenny Washington on drums.

“S’Wonderful,” as well as Love Is Here To Stay, is available from Apple Music.

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Song of the Day: They Can’t Take That Away From Me

The song of the day for Tuesday, September 29, 2020, is “They Can’t Take That Away From Me.”

About This Song

This song was written by George and Ira Gershwin for the 1937 Fred Astaire – Ginger Rodgers movie Shall We Dance. Unlike most songs that Astaire introduced in his films, there was no dance number associated with “They Can’t Take That Away From Me.” It is one of the Gershwin’s finest love songs. George Gershwin died just two months after this film was released.

About This Version

Tony Bennett and Diana Krall recorded “They Can’t Take That Away From Me” for their 2018 album Love Is Here To Stay. The album was arranged by Bill Charlap.

“They Can’t Take That Away From Me,” as well as Love Is Apple Music, is available from Apple Music.

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