The Year of Tony Bennett

An Appreciation of the Art and Music of Tony Bennett

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Song of the Day: People

The song of the day for Tuesday, August 20, 2019, is “People.”

About This Song

“People” was written by Jule Styne and Bob Merrill in 1964. The song was introduced by Barbra Streisand in the 1964 Broadway production of Funny Girl. This song has been popular since it was written. Streisand’s recording was the number one song in the country for four weeks in 1964.

About This Version

Tony Bennett first recorded “People” in 1968 for his album I’ve Gotta Be Me. Today, however, we’re featuring his 1995 recording for the album Here’s To The Ladies, where he sings songs associated with many of the great 20th century female vocalists. “People” is, of course, for Barbra Streisand.

People

Listen to People on Spotify. Tony Bennett · Song · 1995.

“People,” as well as Here’s to the Ladies, is available from iTunes.

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Song of the Day: My Love Went To London

The song of the day for Thursday, June 27, 2019, is “My Love Went To London.”

About This Song

“My Love Went To London” was written in 1991 by Anthony Scibetta and John Wallowitch. This song was written for the singer Blossom Dearie. Composer Scibetta was a personal friend of Blossom Dearie, so it’s only natural that he would write a song for her. She recorded “My Love Went To London” in 1991 on the album Tweedledum and Tweedledee.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “My Love Went To London” in 1995 for his album Here’s to the Ladies. This album consists of songs associated with the best of the 20th-century female singers. This song is, of course, for Blossom Dearie.

Mr. Bennett and his quartet are currently in London preparing for two concerts at the Royal Albert Hall. We wish you all the very best.

My Love Went to London

My Love Went to London, a song by Tony Bennett on Spotify

“My Love Went To London,” as well as Here’s to the Ladies, is available from iTunes.

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Song of the Day: Honeysuckle Rose

The song of the day for Saturday, May 25, 2019, is “Honeysuckle Rose.”

About This Song

“Honeysuckle Rose” was written in 1929, with music by Fats Waller and 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 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 from Lena Horne in 1963.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “Honeysuckle Rose” in 1995 for his album Here’s To The Ladies. For this album, Tony sings songs made famous by the great female singers of the 20th century: from Billie Holiday to Barbara Streisand. “Honeysuckle Rose” was often sung by Lena Horne, who Bennett worked with in the 1970s.

Honeysuckle Rose

Honeysuckle Rose, a song by Tony Bennett on Spotify

“Honeysuckle Rose,” as well as Here’s To The Ladies is available from iTunes.

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Song of the Day: Maybe This Time

The song of the day for Wednesday, March 13, 2019, is “Maybe This Time.”

About This Song

“Maybe This Time” by John Kander and Fred Ebb. This song appeared in the film version of was Cabaret. 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. The song is, of course, widely associated with Liza Minnelli, who sang it in the film version of Cabaret. Tony Bennett sings the song regularly at his concerts.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded this version of “Maybe This Time” in 1995 for the album Here’s To The Ladies. In this album, Bennett sings songs associated with the best of the female jazz and cabaret singers in the 20th century: from Billie Holiday to Judy Garland to Margaret Whiting and many more. “Maybe This Time” is for Liza Minnelli, who sang this song in the film version of Cabaret. Bennett and Ralph Sharon did the arrangement.

Maybe This Time

Maybe This Time, a song by Tony Bennett on Spotify

“Maybe This Time,” as well as Here’s To The Ladies, is available from iTunes.

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Song of the Day: Cloudy Morning

The song of the day for Wednesday, July 18, 2018 is “Cloudy Morning.”

About This Song

“Cloudy Morning” was written in 1958 by Marvin Fisher and Joseph McCarthy, Jr. This song has been recorded by some of America’s greatest female singers including Julie London, Peggy Lee and Carmen McRae.

About This Version

Tony Bennett released a really wonderful album in 1995 called Here’s To The Ladies. In this album, Bennett honors the 20th century’s greatest female singers by singing songs associated with them: from “People” for Barbra Streisand to “Moonlight in Vermont” for Margaret Whiting and many more. “Cloud Morning” was for Carmen McRae, who recording “Cloudy Morning” with George Shearing for their lovely duet album Two For The Road, released in 1980.

Cloudy Morning

Listen to Cloudy Morning on Spotify. Tony Bennett · Song · 1995.


“Cloudy Morning,” as well as Here’s To The Ladies, is available from iTunes.

Here are Carmen McRae and George Shearing.

Cloudy Morning

Listen to Cloudy Morning on Spotify. George Shearing · Song · 1980.

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