The Year of Tony Bennett

An Appreciation of the Art and Music of Tony Bennett

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Song of the Day: Taking a Chance on Love

The song of the day for Tuesday, June 9, 2020, is “Taking a Chance on Love.”

About This Song

“Taking a Chance on Love” was written by Vernon Duke, with lyrics by John La Touche and Ted Fetter, for the 1940 musical Cabin in the Sky, where it was introduced by the great Ethel Waters and Dooley Wilson. The song works well for both jazz singers and instrumentalists, with significant recordings by Dave Brubeck, Tony Bennett, Judy Garland, and Dizzy Gillespie.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “Taking a Chance on Love” with Count Basie and His Orchestra in December 1959; it was released the following year on the album In Person! Ralph Sharon wrote the arrangement.

“Taking a Chance on Love,” as well as In Person!, is available from Apple Music.

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Song of the Day: Lost in the Stars

The song of the day for Monday, March 30, 2020, is “Lost in the Stars.”

About This Song

“Lost in the Stars” was written by Kurt Weill and Maxwell Anderson for the 1949 musical of the same name, based on the 1948 novel by Alan Paton, Cry, the Beloved Country. It was set in South Africa in an era when apartheid seemed as if it would never end.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “Lost in the Stars” in 1958 with Count Basie and His Orchestra for the 1958 album, In Person!. Ralph Sharon wrote the very effective arrangement.

“Lost in the Stars,” as well as In Person!, is available from iTunes.

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Playlist of the Week: Tony Loves Jazz

The playlist for the week of September 1, 2019, is Tony Loves Jazz. I’ve picked some of his great jazz recordings, presented in chronological order, beginning with Cloud 7 and ending with Love is Here to Stay. We got a lot of songs, but as it’s a holiday weekend in the US, I hope you can find some time to give these a listen.

Did I miss one your favorites? Leave a comment and I promise to make it a song of the day within two weeks.

Tony Loves Jazz

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From Cloud 7, released in 1955
Old Devil Moon
Darn That Dream

From The Beat of My Heart, released in 1957
Lullaby of Broadway
Crazy Rhythm

From Basie/Bennett, released in 1959
With Plenty of Money and You
Poor Little Rich Girl

From In Person!, released in 1959
Taking a Chance on Love
Fascinatin’ Rhythm

From My Heart Sings, released in 1961
Dancing in the Dark
Stella By Starlight

From Tony Bennett at Carnegie Hall, released in 1962
Solitude

From Bennett & Brubeck: The White Sessions, Live 1962, released in 2013, recorded in 1962
Lullaby of Broadway
There Will Never Be Another You

From Tony Makes It Happen!, released in 1967
Don’t Get Around Much Anymore
Old Devil Moon

From The Tony Bennett/Bill Evans Album, released in 1975
Days of Wine and Roses
Some Other Time

From Together Again, released in 1977
Dream Dancing
Make Someone Happy

From Tony Bennett On Holiday, released in 1997
That Ole Devil Called Love
All Of Me

From Bennett Sings Ellington: Hot & Cool, released in 1999
Do Nothin’ Till You Hear From Me
Sophisticated Lady

From Duets II, released in 2011
The Lady is a Tramp
Body and Soul

From The Silver Lining: Songs of Jerome Kern, released in 2015
I Won’t Dance
I’m Old Fashioned

From Love Is Here To Stay, released in 2018
I Got Rhythm
Who Cares?

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Song of the Day: Taking a Chance on Love

The song of the day for Tuesday, April 9, 2019, is “Taking a Chance on Love.”

About This Song

“Taking a Chance on Love” was written in 1940 by Vernon Duke, with lyrics by John La Touche and Ted Fetter. It was written for the 1940 Broadway musical Cabin in the Sky, where it was introduced by the great Ethel Waters and Dooley Wilson. The song works well for both jazz singers and instrumentalists, with significant recordings by Dave Brubeck, Tony Bennett, Judy Garland, and Dizzy Gillespie.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “Taking a Chance on Love” with Count Basie and His Orchestra for their 1959 album In Person!.

Taking A Chance On Love

Taking A Chance On Love, a song by Tony Bennett on Spotify

“Taking a Chance on Love,” as well as In Person!, is available from iTunes.

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Song of the Day: Solitude

The song of the day for Thursday, January 19, 2018 is “Solitude.”

About This Song

“Solitude” was written in 1934 by Duke Ellington, with lyrics by Eddie DeLange and Irving Mills. One of his masterpieces, Ellington is said to have written “Solitude” in twenty minutes at the recording session, as they were one number short (per Ted Gioia in Jazz Standards). It’s a very strong song for both vocalists and instrumentalists. Ellington made over a hundred recordings of this song. Other great recordings include those by Paul Robeson, Ella Fitzgerald, Billie Holiday and Billy Eckstine.

About This Version

Today I’m featuring Mr. Bennett’s first recording of “Solitude,” made in 1958 with Count Basie and His Orchestra for the album In Person!

Solitude

Solitude, a song by Tony Bennett on Spotify


“Solitude,” as well as In Person!, is available from iTunes.

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