Harold Arlen Archives

February 6, 2013 By Suzanne Leave a Comment

Happy Birthday, Natalie Cole

The Year of Tony Bennett would like to wish Natalie Cole a very happy birthday today, February 6.

Let’s celebrate by listening to one of her wonderful duets with Tony Bennett: Stormy Weather from Bennett’s delightful Playin’ With My Friends, released in 2001.

Stormy Weather
Tony Bennett, Natalie Cole · Playin" With My Friends: Bennett Sings The Blues · Song · 2001

Stormy Weather was written by the great Harold Arlen (and keep your ears open for Harold Arlen on the blog next week) and Ted Koehler in 1933. It was originally sung by the great Ethel Waters at the Cotton Club and was recorded by her in the same year. The list of great recordings of this song is long: Sarah Vaughan, Etta James, Django Reinhardt, Judy Garland and, of course, Miss Lena Horne.

Happy Birthday, Natalie!

January 18, 2013 By Suzanne Leave a Comment

Song of the Day: Out Of This World

The song of the day for Friday, January 18, 2013 is Out Of This World.

About Out Of This World

This song was written by Harold Arlen and Johnny Mercer for the 1945 film of the same name. The song was introduced in the movie by Bing Crosby, though Mr. Crosby dubbed the voice of the main character played by Eddie Bracken.

It became a jazz standard and has been recorded by John Coltrane, Ella Fitzgerald, and Mel Tormé, among others.

About This Version

This version was recorded by Tony Bennett in 1964 with an extraordinary group of jazz musicians: Stan Getz (tenor saxophone), Ron Carter (bass), Herbie Hancock (piano) and Elvin Jones (drums). Several other songs were recorded in the same session and several are included on this Rarities disc, including Day Dream, Danny Boy, and Just Friends. The compilation album Jazz, released in 1987 by Columbia Records, contains these and other jazz recordings made by Mr. Bennett, from the late 1950s and 1960s.

Out of This World
Tony Bennett · Rarities, Outtakes & Other Delights, Vol. 1 · Song · 2012

Out Of This World, as well as Rarities, Outtakes & Other Delights: Volume 1, is available at iTunes.

Jazz is available from Amazon and other CD retailers.

December 7, 2012 By Suzanne Leave a Comment

Song of the Day: Blues In The Night

The song of the day for Friday, December 7, 2012 is Blues In The Night.

About Blues In The Night

Blues in the Night was written in 1941 for the film of the same name by Harold Arlen and Johnny Mercer. Arlen wrote the music first and wrote a true blues song. Johnny Mercer, who later wrote the lyrics, drew on his southern heritage to write exceptional blues lyrics.

About This Version

We have previously featured Tony Bennett’s first recording of this song, from his 1957 The Beat of My Heart. If you haven’t spent any time with The Beat Of My Heart, well, I’ll just say that this album, conceived by Tony Bennett, is remarkable and worthy of your attention. That said, Tony Bennett first sung this song while serving in the Army in the European Theater, with the 225th Regiment Band. Alas, no recording of the song exists.

This version is from the 2001 Playin’ With My Friends: Bennett Sings The Blues. This album was precursor to the series of Duets albums containing some duets with singers including Stevie Wonder, Sheryl Crow, B.B. King, k.d. lang and Ray Charles.

Blues in the Night, as well as the album Playin’ With My Friends is available from iTunes.

November 24, 2012 By Suzanne Leave a Comment

Song of the Day: Ac-Cent-Tchu-Ate The Positive

We conclude Johnny Mercer Week at the Year of Tony Bennett with one of my favorite songs. The Song of the Day for Saturday, November 24, 2012, is Ac-Cent-Tchu-Ate The Positive.

We have enjoyed featuring a few of the great Johnny Mercer songs performed by Tony Bennett this week. We hope you have enjoyed it as well.

About Ac-Cent-Tchu-Ate The Positive

This wonderfully happy song was written by Harold Arlen and Johnny Mercer and was published in 1944. The song immediately became popular and was heavily recorded in the first months after publication by artists including Bing Crosby with The Andrews Sisters, Kay Kyser and Artie Shaw.

I grew up hearing this song. I have memories of my Mom singing this song and have loved it for many decades now. I think it’s one of the happiest songs ever written.

About This Version

This version is from Tony Bennett’s delightful children’s album from 1998, The Playground. Also featured on this album is Kermit the Frog and Elmo from Sesame Street. Mr. Bennett recorded this song with the Ralph Sharon Trio, with Gray Sargent (guitar), Paul Langosch (bass) and Clayton Cameron (drums). As always, there is some wonderful guitar work by Gray Sargent.

November 21, 2012 By Suzanne Leave a Comment

Song of the Day: One For My Baby

As part of Johnny Mercer Week at the Year of Tony Bennett, the song of the day for Wednesday, November 21, 2012 is One For My Baby.

About One For My Baby

This song is one the great songs from the American Songbook, written by two of the greats: Harold Arlen and Johnny Mercer. It was written for the 1943 film musical The Sky’s The Limit and was introduced by Fred Astaire. The song is associated with Frank Sinatra, who first recorded it in 1947.

About This Version

Today’s version is from Tony Bennett’s 1992 Perfectly Frank album, arranged and conducted by Robert Farnon. He also performed the song in his legendary 1962 Carnegie Hall concert.