The Year of Tony Bennett

An Appreciation of the Art and Music of Tony Bennett

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Song of the Day: One For My Baby/It Had To Be You

The song of the day for Thursday, February 20, 2020, is “One For My Baby/It Had To Be You.”

About These Songs

“One For My Baby” was written in 1943 by Harold Arlen and Johnny Mercer. “It Had To Be You” was written in 1924 by Isham Jones, with lyrics by Gus Kahn.

About This Version

Tony Bennett and his pianist John Bunch, recorded this medley in 1970. Exquisite is not a word I throw around lightly, but this recording is exquisite. If you close your eyes, you might think Tony is in the room, singing just to you. The recording was released on Rarities, Outtakes & Other Delights, Vol. 1.

“One For My Baby/It Had To Be You,” as well as Rarities, Outtakes & Other Delights, Vol. 1, is available from iTunes.

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Song of the Day: It Had To Be You

The song of the day for Tuesday, January 14, 2020, is “It Had To Be You.”

About This Song

“It Had to Be You” was written by Isham Jones and Gus Kahn in 1924. It’s a popular standard with many fine recordings, including those by Paul Whiteman, Cliff Edward,s and Frank Sinatra. It has also be used in several films, including Casablanca and Annie Hall.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “It Had To Be You” with the Ralph Sharon Trio for the album When Lights Are Low. Sharon wrote the arrangement; his piano on this song is lovely.

“It Had To Be You,” as well as When Lights Are Low, is available from iTunes.

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Song of the Day: I’m Through With Love

The song of the day for Tuesday, July 30, 2019, is “I’m Through With Love.”

About This Song

“I’m Through With Love” was written in 1931 by Fud Livingston, Matty Melneck, and Gus Kahn. The song has been popular since it was written, with recordings by Nat Cole, Chet Baker, Dizzy Gillespie, and Sarah Vaughan, among many recordings. Marilyn Monroe sang the song in the 1959 film Some Like It Hot.

About This Version

Tony Bennett and Ralph Sharon recorded “I’m Through With Love” in 1959 for their album Tony Sings For Two, which was recorded with just Bennett and Sharon on piano. In spite of opposition from Mitch Miller, which likely resulted in the album not being released until 1961, Tony Sings For Two was a triumph.

I"m Thru With Love

Listen to I"m Thru With Love on Spotify. Tony Bennett · Song · 1961.

“I’m Through With Love,” as well as Tony Sings For Two, is available from iTunes.

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Playlist of the Week: Tony Loves a Piano

The playlist of the week of May 12, 2019, is Tony Loves a Piano. Some of Bennett’s finest recordings have been made with just Tony and a pianist. This week we honor some of the best of those recordings.

Tony Loves a Piano

Some of Tony Bennett's finest recordings have been with only Tony and a pianist. This week we honor some of the best of those recordings.

My Foolish Heart (Victor Young and Ned Washington) with Bill Evans
Bewitched, Bothered and Bewildered (Richard Rodgers and Larry Hart) with Ralph Sharon
Cold, Cold Heart (Hank Williams) with John Bunch
Some Other Time (Leonard Bernstein, Adolph Green and Betty Comden) with Bill Evans
The Man That Got Away (Harold Arlen and Ira Gershwin) with Ralph Sharon
A Sleepin’ Bee (Harold Arlen and Truman Capote) with Ralph Sharon
Dream Dancing (Cole Porter) with Bill Evans
One For My Baby (by Harold Arlen and Johnny Mercer)/It Had To Be You (Isham Jones, Gus Kahn) with John Bunch
We’ll Be Together Again (Carl T. Fischer and Frankie Laine) with Bill Evans

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Song of the Day: Dream a Little of Me

The song of the day for Tuesday, February 26, 2019, is “Dream a Little of Me.”

About This Song

“Dream A Little Dream of Me” was written in 1931 by Fabian Andre, Wilbur Schwandt, and Gus Kahn. The song was first recorded in 1931 by Ozzie Nelson and also by Wayne King and His Orchestra, The song has remained popular over the decades, with recordings by Kate Smith, Frankie Laine, Ella Fitzgerald, Dinah Shore, Doris Day and even The Mamas and The Papas, with Mama Cass. Louis Armstrong first recorded the song in 1950.

About This Version

Tony Bennett and k.d. lang recorded “Dream a Little Dream of Me” for their 2002 duet album A Wonderful World, where they featured songs associated with Louis Armstrong. Not only are there 12 wonderful songs on the album, Tony and k.d. are very fine on this album. Their voices pair beautifully.

Dream a Little Dream of Me

Dream a Little Dream of Me, a song by Tony Bennett, k.d. lang on Spotify

“Dream a Little of Me,” as well as A Wonderful World, is available from iTunes.

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