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The Year of Tony Bennett

An Appreciation of the Art and Music of Tony Bennett

September 2, 2016 By Suzanne Leave a Comment

Song of the Day: This Is All I Ask

The song of the day for Saturday, September 3, 2016 is “This Is All I Ask.”

About This Song

Gordon Jenkins wrote “This Is All I Ask” in 1958. Jenkins was a prolific composer, arranger and conductor from the 1930s through the 1960s. He worked closely with artists including Frank Sinatra and Judy Garland and won a Grammy Award for Sinatra’s 1965 album September of My Years, which included a recording of “This Is All I Ask.” Jenkins is said to have considered this song his favorite of all the songs he wrote.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “This Is All I Ask” twice. Today’s recording is from 1963 on the album also named This Is All I Ask. The arrangement is by Ralph Burns.

This Is All I Ask

Listen to This Is All I Ask on Spotify. Song · Tony Bennett · 1963


“This Is All I Ask,” as well as This Is All I Ask, is available from iTunes.

About Today

Today’s video is Tony Bennett singing this song last month on Late Night With Stephen Colbert just before his 90th birthday. If you haven’t seen it, you have a real treat in store. If you have seen it, it’s just as good again.

Filed Under: Song of the Day Tagged With: Gordon Jenkins, Ralph Burns, Stephen Colbert, This Is All I Ask

April 5, 2015 By Suzanne Leave a Comment

Song of the Day: When A Woman Loves A Man

The song of the day for Sunday, April 5, 2015 is “When A Woman Loves A Man.”

About This Song

Today’s song, “When A Woman Loves A Man.” was written in 1938 by Bernie Hanighen and Gordon Jenkins (music) and Johnny Mercer (lyrics). In addition to the recordings by Billie Holiday and Tony Bennett, it has also been recorded by Peggy Lee and Ella Fitzgerald.

About This Version

“When A Woman Loves A Man” is the third song on Tony Bennett On Holiday. The arrangement features a strong piano performance from Ralph Sharon, with just the perfect strings, conducted and arranged by Jorge Calendrelli.

When a Woman Loves a Man

Tony Bennett · Tony Bennett On Holiday: A Tribute To Billie Holiday · Song · 1997


“When A Woman Loves A Man,” as well as Tony Bennett On Holiday, is available from iTunes.

About Billie Holiday’s Version

Billie Holiday recorded today’s song early in her career, on January 12, 1938. This recording features an excellent group of musicians: Buck Clayton (trumpet), Benny Morton (trumpet), Lester Young (tenor sax), Teddy Wilson (piano), Freddie Green (guitar), Walter Page (bass), and Jo Jones (drums). It doesn’t get much better than this.

When a Woman Loves a Man

Listen to When a Woman Loves a Man on Spotify. Song · Billie Holiday · 2015


“When A Woman Loves A Man,” is available on The Centennial Collection, available from iTunes. This collection is excellent and I recommend it highly for those interested in starting their exploration of Billie Holiday.

Filed Under: Song of the Day Tagged With: Bernie Hanighe, Billie Holiday, Gordon Jenkins, Johnny Mercer, Tony Bennett On Holiday

November 3, 2013 By Suzanne Leave a Comment

Song of the Day: The Skyscraper Blues

The song of the day for Sunday, November 3, 2013 is “The Skyscraper Blues.”

About This Song

“The Skyscraper Blues” was written by Gordon Jenkins and Tom Adair for the 1949 Broadway musical Along Fifth Avenue, which featured Nancy Walker and Jackie Gleason.

About This Version

On this day in 1958, Tony Bennett recorded two songs for an upcoming album to be called Hometown, My Town. These songs were today’s song, “The Skyscraper Blues” and “By Myself.” Click the link to read more about the session held November 3, 1958.

Like the rest of the songs on the album, “The Skyscraper Blues” was arranged and conducted by Ralph Burns. Ralph Sharon, who had joined up with Tony Bennett in 1957 played piano. Many of the musicians on this album recorded regularly with Bennett for years to come, such as Al Caiola (guitar), Urbie Green (trombone) and Al De Risi (trumpet).

This is a great jazzy song with a terrific arrangement. It’s the first song on the album and is a dynamite way to start it off.

http://open.spotify.com/track/3MTlQdavGudt8PCqornYQu
“The Skyscraper Blues,” as well as the album Hometown, My Town, is available from iTunes.

Filed Under: Song of the Day Tagged With: Gordon Jenkins, Hometown My Town, Ralph Burns, Tom Adair

January 28, 2013 By Suzanne 2 Comments

Song of the Day: The Skyscraper Blues

The song of the day for Monday, January 28, 2013 is The Skyscraper Blues.

Central Park  Antonio Dominick Benedetto
Central Park Antonio Dominick Benedetto

About The Skyscraper Blues

This song was written by Gordon Jenkins and Tom Adair for the 1949 Broadway musical Along Fifth Avenue, which featured Nancy Walker and Jackie Gleason.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded The Skyscraper Blues for his 1959 album Hometown, My Town. I chose this song today for my co-blogger’s 11-year-old son Sam. Apparently, Hometown, My Town is being played a lot in the family car and Sam especially likes this song. He likes the sound of the brass and the energy of the song. Sam, so do I.

The Skyscraper Blues

Listen to The Skyscraper Blues on Spotify. Song · Tony Bennett · 1959

The Skyscraper Blues, as well as the full Hometown, My Town album, is available from iTunes.

Filed Under: Song of the Day Tagged With: Along Fifth Avenue, Gordon Jenkins, Tom Adair

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