The Year of Tony Bennett

An Appreciation of the Art and Music of Tony Bennett

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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

Listen to Solitude on Spotify. Song · Tony Bennett · 1959


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

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Song of the Day: Fascinatin’ Rhythm

The song of the day for Thursday, August 31, 2017 is “Fascinatin’ Rhythm.”

About This Song

Written by George and Ira Gershwin in 1924 for the Broadway musical Lady Be Good, “Fascinating Rhythm” was introduced by Cliff Edwards and Fred and Adele Astaire. The Astaires also recorded the song in 1926 with Gershwin on piano. “Fascinating Rhythm” was, and still is, a jazz number. For that reason, it has never been out of favor with jazz artists, both vocal and instrumental.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded today’s version of “Fascinatin’ Rhythm” in December 1958 for the album In Person!, made with Count Basie and His Orchestra. The terrific arrangement is by Ralph Sharon.

Fascinatin" Rhythm

Tony Bennett & Count Basie · The Complete Recordings (Bonus Track Version) · Song · 2013


“Fascinatin’ Rhythm,” as well as In Person!, is available from iTunes.

About Today

Today we say goodbye to our musical collaborator of the month, Count Basie. It’s been a real pleasure for me to listen to these great recordings. I hope you’ve enjoyed it to.

I have a very special person picked out for September, so stay tuned for some more great Tony Bennett recordings!

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Song of the Day: Firefly

The song of the day for Friday, August 18, 2017 is “Firefly.”

About This Song

“Firefly” was written in 1958 by Cy Coleman and Carolyn Leigh as an audition piece for the musical Gypsy, which went on to be written by Jule Styne, with lyrics by a 28-year-old Stephen Sondheim.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded this version of “Firefly” with Count Basie and His Orchestra in 1958 for the album In Person! This recording is really delightful!

Firefly

Tony Bennett & Count Basie · The Complete Recordings (Bonus Track Version) · Song · 2013


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

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Song of the Day: Firefly

The song of the day for Wednesday, April 17, 2016 is “Firefly.”

About This Song

Today’s song was written in 1958 by Cy Coleman and Carolyn Leigh as an audition piece for the musical Gypsy (which went on to be written by Jule Styne, with lyrics by a 28-year-old Stephen Sondheim).

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “Firefly” twice in 1958: once as a single with an arrangement by Ray Ellis and again with the Count Basie Orchestra. It’s the second recording that I’m featuring today. It’s a short listen … just a little over a minute and a half, and every note is a delight. You’ll find this recording on In Person! The arrangement is by Ralph Sharon.

Firefly

Listen to Firefly on Spotify. Song · Tony Bennett · 1959


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

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Song of the Day: Lost In The Stars

The song of the day for Saturday, January 1, 2016 is “Lost In The Stars.”

About This Song

“Lost in the Stars” by Kurt Weill and Maxwell Anderson is from 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

This song is a favorite of Tony Bennett and he’s recorded it several times; some may remember this song was used at the end of The Zen Of Bennett, which is you haven’t seen it, I strongly recommend that you do (it’s on Netflix streaming, by the way).

Today’s version was recorded in 1958 for his 1959 album with Count Basie and His Orchestra, In Person! The fine arrangement is by Ralph Sharon.

Lost In The Stars

Listen to Lost In The Stars on Spotify. Song · Tony Bennett · 1959


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

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