The Year of Tony Bennett

An Appreciation of the Art and Music of Tony Bennett

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Song of the Day: Lost In The Stars

The song of the day for Tuesday, July 23, 2024, 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. Set in South Africa in an era when apartheid seemed as if it would never end, the plot concerns a black priest whose son kills, in a robbery attempt, a white man who is a friend of his father. The priest sings this song at the end of the first act, in a complete crisis of faith.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded this version of “Lost In The Stars” on December 22, 1958, for his album with Count Basie and His Band, In Person! Ralph Sharon wrote the arrangement.

“Lost In The Stars,” as well as In Person!, is available on Apple Music.

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Song of the Day: Solitude

The song of the day for Wednesday, June 26, 2024, is “Solitude.”

About This Song

“Solitude” was written by Duke Ellington in 1934, 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. 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

Tony Bennett recorded “Solitude” on December 30, 1958, with Count Basie and His Orchestra for the 1959 album In Person!

“Solitude,” as well as In Person!, is available on Apple Music.

I found this video of Tony Bennett and Duke Ellington and His Orchestra appearing on The Ed Sullivan Show on April 6, 1969. Their set starts with “Love Scene” followed by “Solitude” (starting at 2:17):

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Song of the Day: Taking a Chance on Love

The song of the day for Monday, May 20, 2024, is “Taking a Chance on Love.”

About This Song

“Taking a Chance on Love” was written by Vernon Duke, John LaTouche, 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” on December 30, 1958, for his second album with Count Basie and His Band, In Person!, released in 1959. The songs for the album were taped at nightclub and it was set to be a live album, but Columbia decided to rerecord the album in the studio. Why they didn’t change the name of the album is anyone’s guess.

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

We’ve got a special video treat today: Ethel Waters and Eddie Anderson singing “Taking a Chance on Love” from the 1943 film version of Cabin in the Sky. Bill Bailey is featured as the dancer in the number.

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Song of the Day: Pennies From Heaven

The song of the day for Saturday, March 23, 2024, is “Pennies From Heaven.”

About Today

In Person! with Count Basie and His Orchestra was released sixty-five years ago today on March 23, 1959. It was planned as a live album and was recorded in a club with the Count Basie Orchestra. However, the tape from the concert had poor quality and couldn’t be used. They re-recorded all of the songs in the studio and, oddly, released it with the original planned title, In Person!.

About This Song

“Pennies From Heaven” was written in 1936 by Arthur Johnston and Johnny Burke. It was introduced by Bing Crosby in the 1936 movie of the same name. It’s one of the classic Great Depression songs.

About This Version

Tony Bennett, with Count Basie and His Orchestra, recorded “Pennies From Heaven” on December 30, 1958, for In Person!, released on March 23, 1959. Ralph Sharon wrote the arrangement.

“Pennies From Heaven,” as well as In Person is available on Apple Music.

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Song of the Day: There Will Never Be Another You

The song of the day for Monday, February 5, 2024, is “There Will Never Be Another You.”

About This Song

“There Will Never Be Another You” was written by Harry Warren and Mack Gordon in 1942 for the movie Iceland, set at a U.S Marine station in Iceland during World War II. The song was introduced in the movie by Joan Merrill. Amazingly, this beautiful song was not nominated for an Academy Award. No matter. The song has become a serious jazz standard and has had many fine recordings, including Bennett’s 1959 recording with Count Basie and his 1962 improvisation with Dave Brubeck at the White House Sessions. Other significant recordings include ones by Lionel Hampton, Chet Baker, Nat King Cole, and Sonny Rollins.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “There Will Never Be Another You” with The Count Basie Orchestra on December 30, 1958, for In Person!, released in 1959. It was arranged by Ralph Sharon.

“There Will Never Be Another You,” as well as In Person!, is available on Apple Music.