The Year of Tony Bennett

An Appreciation of the Art and Music of Tony Bennett

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Song of the Day: Over The Rainbow

The song of the day for Monday, May 8, 2017 is “Over The Rainbow.”

About This Song

Written by Harold Arlen and Yip Harburg in 1939, “Over The Rainbow” is from the great Wizard Of Oz. Interestingly, the producers wanted to cut the song from the film, as they felt it slowed downed the movie. Thankfully, the preview audiences preferred the movie with the song. “Over The Rainbow” ranked as the #1 song of the 20th century per the Recording Industry Association of America and the National Endowment of the Arts.The song has always been closely associated with Judy Garland. In a letter to Harold Arlen, Judy Garland wrote that the song “… has become part of my life. It’s so symbolic of everybody’s dreams and wishes that I’m sure that’s why some people get tears in their eyes when they hear it. I’ve sung it thousands of times and it’s still the song that’s closest to my heart.”

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded this version of “Over The Rainbow” 1995 for the album Here’s To The Ladies. In this album, Bennett sang songs associated with the greatest female singers of the 20th century, including Margaret Whiting, Lena Horne and Billie Holiday. “Over The Rainbow” is, of course, for his friend Judy Garland.

Somewhere over the Rainbow

Listen to Somewhere over the Rainbow on Spotify. Song · Tony Bennett · 1995


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

About Today

I absolutely adore Yip Harburg. I think you will too after watching this little film:

Here’s Judy’s version from her legendary concert at Carnegie Hall in 1961:

Over The Rainbow - Live At Carnegie Hall/1961

Listen to Over The Rainbow - Live At Carnegie Hall/1961 on Spotify. Song · Judy Garland · 1961

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Song of the Day: Moonlight In Vermont

The song of the day for Friday, January 13, 2017 is “Moonlight In Vermont.”

About This Song

Today’s song, “Moonlight In Vermont,” was written in 1944 by Karl Suessdorf and John Blackburn. The song was made famous by Margaret Whiting, who recorded it in 1944 with Billy Butterfield and his Orchestra. It has been popular ever since, with other recordings by Frank Sinatra, Billie Holiday and Ella Fitzgerald.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “Moonlight In Vermont” in 1995 for the album Here’s To The Ladies, which honors the great female vocalists of the. 20th century. This song is, of course, in honor of Margaret Whiting. The album won the Grammy Award for Best Traditional Pop Vocal Performance.

Moonlight In Vermont

Listen to Moonlight In Vermont on Spotify. Song · Tony Bennett · 1995


“Moonlight In Vermont,” as well as Here’s To The Ladies, is available from iTunes.

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Song of the Day: I Got Rhythm

The song of the day for Thursday, September 15, 2016 is “I Got Rhythm.”

About This Song

George Gershwin originally wrote this song with a slow tempo for the 1928 musical Treasure Girl. In 1930 for Girl Crazy, he decided on a faster rhythm. The song was introduced by Ethel Merman and became wildly popular based on her performance. It has been recorded many times by artists including Miss Merman, Fred Astaire, John Pizzarelli and Ethel Waters. It’s one of the great jazz standards.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “I Got Rhythm” in 1995 for his album Here’s To The Ladies, where Bennett sings songs associated with the great female singers of the 20th century. Today’s song is, of course, for Ethel Merman.

I Got Rhythm

Listen to I Got Rhythm on Spotify. Song · Tony Bennett · 1995


“I Got Rhythm,” as well as Here’s To The Ladies, is available from iTunes.

And here’s Miss Merman! She could really hold those notes!!

I Got Rhythm

Listen to I Got Rhythm on Spotify. Song · Ethel Merman · 2013

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Song of the Day: Honeysuckle Rose

The song of the day for Sunday, July 24, 2016 is “Honeysuckle Rose.”

About This Song

“Honeysuckle Rose” is one of Fats Waller’s better known tunes and for good reason. The tune is very well written and Andy 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 the album Here’s To The Ladies. For this album, Bennett picked the great female singers of the 20th century and recorded a song that was widely associated with that singer. “Honeysuckle Rose” was for Lena Horne, with whom Tony performed in the early 1970s.

Honeysuckle Rose

Listen to Honeysuckle Rose on Spotify. Song · Tony Bennett · 1995


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

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Song of the Day: You Showed Me The Way

The song of the day for Monday, June 6, 2016 is “You Showed Me The Way.”

About This Song

Today’s song, “You Showed Me The Way,” was written in 1937 by Ella Fitzgerald, Chick Webb, Teddy McRae and Bud Green. Ella Fitzgerald co-wrote this song when she was just 18 years old and singing with Chick Webb at the Savoy Ballroom. The song eloquently describes her joy and gratitude for working with Webb.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “You Showed Me The Way” in 1995 for his album Here’s To The Ladies. In this album, Bennett chose songs associated with the great female singers of the 20th century. This song is, of course, the song he chose for his good friend Ella Fitzgerald.

You Showed Me the Way

Listen to You Showed Me the Way on Spotify. Song · Tony Bennett · 1995


“You Showed Me The Way,” as well as Here’s To The Ladies, is available from iTunes.