The Year of Tony Bennett

An Appreciation of the Art and Music of Tony Bennett

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Song of the Day: Shall We Dance

The song of the day for Saturday, May 23, 2015 is “Shall We Dance.”

About This Song

Today’s song is, of course, the title song for the 1937 Astaire and Rogers film Shall We Dance and was written by George and Ira Gershwin. George Gershwin wrote a series of songs for this film that demonstrated the different styles of dance and choreography, including ballet, waltzes and more. Other great songs from this score include “They Can’t Take Away From Me” and “Let’s Call The Whole Thing Off.”

About This Version

I love this song … Mr. Bennett sings it at a similar tempo and with the same energy as the song has in the film. This version dances on air, just as Mr. Astaire does.

https://open.spotify.com/track/2BoqVh44HRvLWKPdFCzjcs
“Shall We Dance,” as well as Steppin’ Out, is available from iTunes.

And, of course, we have Mr. Astaire and Miss Rogers dancing away …

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Song of the Day: Nice Work If You Can Get It

The song of the day for Tuesday, May 19, 2015 is “Nice Work If You Can Get It.”

About This Song

George and Ira Gershwin wrote this song (and eight others) for the 1937 film Damsel In Distress, starring Fred Astaire, who introduced the song. It has been widely recorded by artists including Astaire, Bing Crosby, Ella Fitzgerald, Frank Sinatra, Sarah Vaughan, Billie Holiday and Tony Bennett.

About This Version

Once again, Tony Bennett totally wins my heart by singing the verse! It’s a sweet arrangement with lovely piano from Ralph Sharon.

Nice Work If You Can Get It

Listen to Nice Work If You Can Get It on Spotify. Song · Tony Bennett · 1993


“Nice Work If You Can Get It,” as well as Steppin’ Out, is available from iTunes.

And here is the Fred Astaire in an amazing dance to today’s song from Damsel in Distress:

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Song of the Day: They All Laughed

The song of the day for Friday, April 15, 2015 is “They All Laughed.”

About This Song

George and Ira Gershwin wrote “They All Laughed” in 1937 for the Fred Astaire film Shall We Dance, where it was sung by Ginger Rogers and also features her and Fred dancing.

About This Version

This song is a favorite of Tony Bennett’s. I believe he’s sung at most, if not all, of his concerts that I’ve attended. He always sings it in a charming and somewhat self-effacing way that the audience really loves. He’s recorded it several times, including in 1968 for I’ve Gotta Be Me and in 2011 for Cheek To Cheek with Lady Gaga.

About Today

They All Laughed

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“They All Laughed,” as well as Steppin’ Out, is available from iTunes.

Today, we have an extended excerpt from “Shall We Dance,” featuring Ginger Rogers singing today’s song. And she sings the verse, which I’d not heard until today when I found this video!

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Song of the Day: He Loves And She Loves

The song of the day for Monday, May 11, 2015 is “He Loves And She Loves.”

About This Song

George and Ira Gershwin wrote “He Loves and She Loves” for the 1927 Broadway musical Funny Face, which starred Fred and Adele Astaire. This song was used in the 1957 movie of the same name, which starred Fred Astaire and Audrey Hepburn. Other than the title and handful of the original songs, the film and the musical bear no resemblance to each other. But the songs are great.

About This Version

This lovely ballad comes seventh on “Steppin’ Out” and is a nice change from the uptempo “A Shine On Your Shoes.” It’s a wonderful arrangement; Ralph Sharon’s piano is exquisite. And Tony sings the verse! I love when singers sing the verse.

He Loves and She Loves

Listen to He Loves and She Loves on Spotify. Song · Tony Bennett · 1993


“He Loves And She Loves,” as well as Steppin’ Out, is available from iTunes.

Here is Fred Astaire and Audrey Hepburn from the 1957 Funny Face.

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

The song of the day for Wednesday, May 6, 201 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 has recorded this lovely song several times, first in 1967 for the album For Once In My Life, with an arrangement by Torrie Zito. He also sang the song on MTV Unplugged concert in 1994 and as a duet with Brad Paisley for the Target version of Duets II. Today’s beautiful recording is, of course, from Steppin’ Out and was arranged by Tony Bennett and Ralph Sharon.

They Can"t Take That Away from Me

Listen to They Can"t Take That Away from Me on Spotify. Song · Tony Bennett · 1993


“They Can’t Take That Away From Me,” as well as Steppin’ Out, is available from iTunes.

I have two videos for you today. First is Tony Bennett singing today’s song with Elvis Costello from the MTV Unplugged concert:

And here is the inimitable Fred Astaire singing this song to Ginger Rogers, from Shall We Dance:

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