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The Year of Tony Bennett

An Appreciation of the Art and Music of Tony Bennett

May 2, 2016 By Suzanne Leave a Comment

Song of the Day: I Could Write A Book

The song of the day for Monday, May 2, 2016 is “I Could Write A Book.”

About This Song

Richard Rodgers and Lorenz Hart wrote “I Could Write A Book” for the 1940 Broadway musical Pal Joey. This has always been an interesting song. Today it’s considered a lovely romantic number, but in the context of the musical, it’s sung as a phony love song in order to woo the innocent ingenue. It’s been widely recorded by artists including Frank Sinatra, Rosemary Clooney, Betty Carter, Anita O’Day and Ella Fitzgerald.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “I Could Write A Book” in 1976 for Tony Bennett Sings 10 Rodgers and Hart Songs. The lovely accompaniment is from the Ruby Braff-George Barnes Quartet, which featured Braff on cornet, Barnes and Wayne Wright on guitar and John Guiffrida on bass. It’s a lovely sound.

I Could Write A Book

Listen to I Could Write A Book on Spotify. Tony Bennett · Song · 2004.


“I Could Write A Book,” as well as The Complete Improv Recordings, is available from iTunes.

About Today

We’re featuring “I Could Write A Book” to celebrate the 121st anniversary of the birth of the lyricist of the song, Lorenz Hart.

Filed Under: Song of the Day Tagged With: George Barnes, Happy Birthday Lorenz Hart, John Guiffrida, Lorenz Hart, Richard Rodgers, Ruby Braff, Tony Bennett Sings 10 Rodgers & Hart Songs, Wayne Wright

May 2, 2014 By Suzanne Leave a Comment

Song of the Day: Thou Swell

The Year of Tony Bennett remembers Lorenz Hart, who was born on this day in New York in 1895. In honor of Mr. Hart, the song of the day for Friday, May 2, 2014 is “Thou Swell.”

About This Song

“Thou Swell” was written by Richard Rodgers and Lorenz Hart for the 1927 Broadway musical A Connecticut Yankee, based on the Mark Twain novel A Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur’s Court. I’ve always loved “Thou Swell” because of the lyric — the delightful play of modern and medieval terminology: ‘thou swell,’ ‘a hut for two’ and my favorite ‘thine eyes are cute too.’

About This Version

Today’s recording is from Bennett’s Improv album Tony Bennett Sings… More Great Rodgers & Hart, released in 1973. It features the Ruby Braff/George Barnes Quartet, with Braff on cornet, Barnes on guitar, Wayne Wright on guitar and John Guiffrida on bass. It’s a wonderful sound for the Rodgers and Hart songs that I never tire of.

http://open.spotify.com/track/3QNOMECmFdjw2MeT8AXdKW
“Thou Swell,” as well as all of the songs recorded by Tony Bennett’s Improv label, is available from iTunes.

Filed Under: Song of the Day Tagged With: A Connecticut Yankee, Happy Birthday Lorenz Hart, Lorenz Hart, Richard Rodgers, Tony Bennett Sings More Great Rodgers & Hart

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