The Year of Tony Bennett

An Appreciation of the Art and Music of Tony Bennett

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Song of the Day: Honeysuckle Rose

The song of the day for Saturday, May 27, 2023, is “Honeysuckle Rose.”

About This Song

“Honeysuckle Rose” was written in 1929 by Thomas “Fats” Waller, with lyrics by Andy Razaf. It’s one of Waller’s better-known songs and for good reason. The tune is very well written and Razaf’s lyric is delightful. Waller recorded it in 1934 and that recording was inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame in 1999. The song has been recorded steadily throughout the years,

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “Honeysuckle Rose” in July 1995 for his album Here’s To The Ladies, which is comprised of songs associated with the great 20th-century female singers; this song is for Lena Horne. Jorge Calandrelli conducted the orchestra and wrote the arrangement.

Here’s To The Ladies won the 1996 Grammy Award for Best Traditional Pop Vocal Performance.

“Honeysuckle Rose,” as well as Here’s To The Ladies is available on Apple Music.

Here’s a live performance of “Honeysuckle Rose” by Lena Horne in 1957 at the Waldorf Astoria.

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Song of the Day: Daybreak

The song of the day for Wednesday, January 11, 2023, is “Daybreak.”

About This Song

“Daybreak” was written by Ferde Grofé, with lyrics by Harold Adamson. The song was part of a classical suite of songs by Ferde Grofé called Mississippi Suite, composed in 1925. Lyricist Harold Adamson took the theme from the final movement and wrote lyrics for it, resulting in the song “Daybreak.” Dinah Washington recorded “Daybreak” for her album I Concentrate On You, released in 1960.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “Daybreak” in July 1995 and released that year on Here’s To The Ladies. The song is in tribute to Dinah Washington. It was arranged and conducted by Jorge Calandrelli.

“Daybreak,” as well as Here’s To The Ladies is available on Apple Music.

Here’s Dinah Washington’s 1960 recording of “Daybreak” from I Concentrate on You.

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Song of the Day: Maybe This Time

The song of the day for Tuesday, January 10, 2023, is “Maybe This Time.”

About This Song

“Maybe This Time” was written in 1963 by John Kander and Fred Ebb and used in the film version of Cabaret, sung by Liza Minnelli. It was not written for the original Broadway production. Nor was it written especially for the film version; Kander and Ebb had written the song in 1963 for Kaye Ballard. It was therefore not eligible for consideration for an Academy Award.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “Maybe This Time” in July 1995 and released that year on Here’s To The Ladies. The song is in tribute to Liza Minnelli.

Tony Bennett sang “Maybe This Time” regularly at his concerts and it was always one of the highlights of the show. If you have access to Apple Music, you can hear the full concert version of “Maybe This Time” from the iTunes Festival: London 2010 performance here.

“Maybe This Time,” as well as Here’s To The Ladies is available on Apple Music.

I also found this video from a concert on November 11, 2013:

Here’s Liza Minnelli’s recording of “Maybe This Time” from Cabaret.

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Song of the Day: Sentimental Journey

The song of the day for Monday, January 9, 2023, is “Sentimental Journey.”

About This Song

“Sentimental Journey” was written in 1944 by Les Brown and Ben Homer, with lyrics by Bud Green. It was a hit record for Les Brown and His Band of Renown; it featured Doris Day as vocalist and this song was her first #1 hit song. The song was popular in the US as soldiers returned home at the end of World War II. The song is a well-known standard and has been recorded by Rosemary Clooney, Ella Fitzgerald, and The Ames Brothers.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “Sentimental Journey” in July 1995 and released that year on Here’s To The Ladies. The song is in tribute to Doris Day, who first recorded the song. It was arranged and conducted by Jorge Calandrelli.

“Sentimental Journey,” as well as Here’s To The Ladies is available on Apple Music.

Here’s the 1944 recording of “Sentimental Journey” by Les Brown and His Band of Renown, featuring Doris Day.

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Song of the Day: Honeysuckle Rose

The song of the day for Sunday, January 8, 2023, is “Honeysuckle Rose.”

About This Song

“Honeysuckle Rose” was written in 1929 by Thomas “Fats” Waller and Andy Razaf. This song one of Waller’s better-known tunes and for good reason. The tune is very well written and Razaf’s lyric is delightful. Waller recorded the song in 1934 and that recording was inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame in 1999. The song has been recorded steadily throughout the years, including the one by Lena Horne in 1963.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “Honeysuckle Rose” in July 1995 and released that year on Here’s To The Ladies. The song is in tribute to Lena Horne. It was arranged and conducted by Jorge Calandrelli.

“Honeysuckle Rose,” as well as Here’s To The Ladies is available on Apple Music.

Here’s Lena Horne singing “Honeysuckle Rose” live at The Waldorf Astoria.

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