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The Year of Tony Bennett

An Appreciation of the Art and Music of Tony Bennett

December 11, 2020 By Suzanne 1 Comment

Song of the Day: Nancy

The song of the day for Saturday, December 12, 2020, is “Nancy.”

About Today

We are celebrating the anniversary of the birth of Francis Albert Sinatra, born in Hoboken, New Jersey, on December 15, 1915. There’s a great Sinatra website at sinatra.com, where you can learn more about Sinatra, purchase his music (CD, Vinyl, and digital) and branded souvenirs (mugs, flasks, caps, t-shirts, onesies, hoodies, journals … well you get the idea).

About This Song

“Nancy” was written in 1942 by Jimmy Van Heusen and Phil Silvers. In 1942, Van Heusen, along with Johnny Burke, was in Palm Springs working on the score for a film. The comedian Phil Silvers dropped by and suggested that they write a song for Van Heusen’s wife Bessie, whose birthday they would be celebrating soon. “Bessie, with the laughing face”, was well-received and the pair would often sing it at birthday celebrations for other women. A bit later, at the birthday party for Sinatra’s daughter Nancy, they sang the song again, this time using “Nancy, with the laughing face.” Sinatra was quite moved, thinking that the song had been written especially for him and his daughter and the songwriters let him think that. Frank Sinatra first recorded “Nancy” in 1944.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “Nancy” in 1992 for the album Perfectly Frank, a tribute to Frank Sinatra. Ralph Sharon wrote the arrangement.

Nancy

Listen to Nancy on Spotify. Tony Bennett · Song · 1992.

“Nancy,” as well as Perfectly Frank, is available from Apple Music.

Of course, I have to add Sinatra’s 1944 recording of “Nancy.”

Nancy (With the Laughing Face) - 78rpm Version

Listen to Nancy (With the Laughing Face) - 78rpm Version on Spotify. Frank Sinatra · Song · 1944.

Filed Under: Song of the Day Tagged With: Frank Sinatra, Happy Birthday Frank Sinatra, Jimmy Van Heusen, Nancy Sinatra, Perfectly Frank, Phil Silvers, Ralph Sharon, Tony Bennett

December 12, 2012 By Suzanne 2 Comments

Song of the Day: Night and Day

The song of the day for Thursday, December 12, 2012 is Night and Day.

About Night and Day

Night and Day was written by Cole Porter for the 1932 musical Gay Divorce. The song was introduced by Fred Astaire on stage; he later sung the song in the 1934 film version, The Gay Divorcee. The  song has been heavily recorded over the years by prominent jazz and popular artists.

Frank Sinatra recorded the song at least five times, starting in 1942.  Frank Sinatra was born on December 12, 1915; we choose this song today in tribute to his birthday.

About This Version

Today’ version of Night and Day is from Tony Bennett’s 1992 album, Perfectly Frank. The album, naturally, contains songs that were sung by Frank Sinatra. But this is no cover album, the interpretations are pure Tony Bennett. It’s a fine album and The Year of Tony Bennett recommends it highly.

Perfectly Frank was arranged and conducted by the noted Canadian-born composer-arranger-conductor-trumpet player Robert Farnon and features the Ralph Sharon Trio, with Mr. Sharon on piano, Paul Langosch on bass and Joe LaBarbera on drums.

Night and Day, as well as full album Perfectly Frank, is available from iTunes.

Filed Under: Song of the Day Tagged With: Cole Porter, Frank Sinatra, Fred Astaire, Happy Birthday Frank Sinatra, Robert Farnon

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