The Year of Tony Bennett

An Appreciation of the Art and Music of Tony Bennett

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Song of the Day: Hi-Ho

The song of the day for Monday, November 9, 2020, is “Hi-Ho.”

About This Song

Written by George and Ira Gershwin, “Hi-Ho” has been called ‘Gershwin’s least-known great song’ by blogger Walter Rimler. It was one of the first songs the Gershwin brothers wrote when they first came to Hollywood and slated for the movie Shall We Dance featuring Fred Astaire dancing in the streets of Paris. The song was cut due to concerns over the costs for filming the sequence. The song faded from then and was only published in 1968. Tony Bennett’s was the first recording of this song.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “Hi-Ho” in 1968 for his album Yesterday I Heard The Rain, featuring an arrangement by Torrie Zito.

Hi-Ho – 2011 Remaster

Listen to Hi-Ho – 2011 Remaster on Spotify. Tony Bennett · Song · 1968.

“Hi-Ho,” as well as Yesterday I Heard The Rain, is available from Apple Music.

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Song of the Day: Love Is Here To Stay

The song of the day for Thursday, October 1, 2020, is “Love Is Here To Stay.”

About This Song

“Love Is Here To Stay” was written by George and Ira Gershwin in 1937 for The Goldwyn Follies movie, which was released after George Gershwin’s death. It’s also known as “Our Love Is Here To Stay,” but the published title of the song omits the “Our.”

About This Version

Tony Bennett and Diana Krall recorded “Love Is Here To Stay” for their 2018 album Love Is Here To Stay. Bill Charlap produced the album and did all the arrangements as well.

“Love Is Here To Stay,” as well as the album Love Is Here To Stay, is available from Apple Music.

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Song of the Day: S’Wonderful

The song of the day for Wednesday, September 30, 2020, is “S’Wonderful.”

About This Song

George and Ira Gershwin wrote “S’Wonderful” for the 1927 musical Funny Face, where it was introduced by Adele Astaire (Fred’s sister) and Allen Kearns.

About This Version

Tony Bennett and Diana Krall, with The Bill Charlap Trio, recorded “S’Wonderful” for their 2018 album Love Is Here To Stay. Bill Charlap arranged and produced the album. In addition to Charlap, the trio includes Peter Washington on bass and Kenny Washington on drums.

“S’Wonderful,” as well as Love Is Here To Stay, is available from Apple Music.

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Song of the Day: They Can’t Take That Away From Me

The song of the day for Tuesday, September 29, 2020, is “They Can’t Take That Away From Me.”

About This Song

This song was written by George and Ira Gershwin for the 1937 Fred Astaire – Ginger Rodgers movie Shall We Dance. Unlike most songs that Astaire introduced in his films, there was no dance number associated with “They Can’t Take That Away From Me.” It is one of the Gershwin’s finest love songs. George Gershwin died just two months after this film was released.

About This Version

Tony Bennett and Diana Krall recorded “They Can’t Take That Away From Me” for their 2018 album Love Is Here To Stay. The album was arranged by Bill Charlap.

“They Can’t Take That Away From Me,” as well as Love Is Apple Music, is available from Apple Music.

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Song of the Day: Shall We Dance

The song of the day for Monday, September 28, 2020, is “Shall We Dance.”

About This Song

This song is, of course, the title song for the 1937 Astaire and Rogers film Shall We Dance, released in 1937. George and Ira Gershwin wrote a series of songs for this film that demonstrated the different styles of dance and choreography, including ballet, waltzes, and more. Other great songs from this score include “They Can’t Take Away From Me” and “Let’s Call The Whole Thing Off.”

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “Shall We Dance” for his 1998 album Steppin’ Out. It was arranged by Tony Bennett and Ralph Sharon.

“Shall We Dance,” as well as Steppin’ Out, is available from Apple Music.

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