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The Year of Tony Bennett

An Appreciation of the Art and Music of Tony Bennett

February 14, 2021 By Suzanne Leave a Comment

Song of the Day: The Man That Got Away

The song of the day for Monday, February 15, 2021, is “The Man That Got Away.”

About Today

Today The Year of Tony Bennett begins a week dedicated to songwriter Harold Arlen, who was born as Hyman Arluck on February 15, 1905. The song of a cantor, Harold Arlen quickly became one of America’s best songwriters. We’ll spending this week exploring some of his songs.

About This Song

“The Man That Got Away” by Harold Arlen and Ira Gershwin was written for Judy Garland for the 1954 version of A Star Is Born, with James Mason. Her performance of the song is legendary in film history, with 27 takes in three days, three separate sessions, and two different directors. The filmed scene is brilliant and made the song a huge hit for Garland, who sang it in most of her concerts.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “The Man That Got Away” on October 28, 1959, with Ralph Sharon. The singer and the pianist booked the studio for themselves–no other musicians. Sharon brought in a briefcase full of sheet music. They’d look at a song and decide if they wanted to record it. After finding the right key with Bennett, Sharon would work out an arrangement in just a few minutes and then they’d record the song.They recorded 16 songs in that session, 12 of which made it to the album Tony Sings For Two, which Columbia didn’t release until February 1961.

The Man That Got Away – Remastered

Listen to The Man That Got Away – Remastered on Spotify. Tony Bennett · Song · 1961.

“The Man That Got Away,” as well as Tony Sings For Two, is available from Apple Music.

How can I play “The Man That Got Away” with also including this video?

Filed Under: Song of the Day Tagged With: A Star Is Born, Harold Arlen, Harold Arlen birthday, Harold Arlen Week, Ira Gershwin, Judy Garland, Ralph Sharon, Tony Bennett, Tony Songs For Two

January 9, 2021 By Suzanne Leave a Comment

Song of the Day: Fascinating Rhythm

The song of the day for Sunday, January 20, 2021, is “Fascinating 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 the 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 this version of “Fascinating Rhythm” in 1958 with The Count Basie Big Band for the 1959 album In Person.

Fascinatin’ Rhythm

Listen to Fascinatin’ Rhythm on Spotify. Tony Bennett · Song · 1959.

“Fascinating Rhythm,” as well as In Person, is available from Apple Music.

Bennett first recorded “Fascinating Rhythm” on the Leslie label. Long thought to be lost, a copy of the record was found and was included in the 2011 Complete Collection Box Set.

Fascinatin’ Rhythm – 2011 Remaster

Listen to Fascinatin’ Rhythm – 2011 Remaster on Spotify. Tony Bennett · Song · 2012.

Filed Under: Song of the Day Tagged With: Count Basie, George Gershwin, Ira Gershwin, Ralph Sharon, The Count Basie Big Band, Tony Bennett

December 28, 2020 By Suzanne Leave a Comment

Song of the Day: The Man That Got Away

The song of the day for Tuesday, December 29, 2020, is “The Man That Got Away.”

About This Song

“The Man That Got Away” was written by Harold Arlen and Ira Gershwin for Judy Garland to sing in the 1954 version of A Star Is Born. Her performance of the song is legendary in film history, with 27 takes in three days, three separate sessions, and two different directors. The filmed scene is brilliant and made the song a huge hit for Garland, who sang it in most of her concerts.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “The Man That Got Away” in 1959 with just Ralph Sharon on piano. Bennett and Sharon booked the CBS 30th Street Studio for October 28, 1959, for the two of them to record songs for an album. Sharon brought along a briefcase of sheet music. They would pick a song and Sharon would work up a quick arrangement and they’d record the song, in just one or two takes. In that single session, they recorded 16 songs, 12 of which were on the album Tony Sings For Two, released in February 1961. It’s quite an extraordinary album.

The Man That Got Away – Remastered

Listen to The Man That Got Away – Remastered on Spotify. Tony Bennett · Song · 1961.

“The Man That Got Away,” as well as Tony Sings For Two, is available from Apple Music.

And because I love Judy Garland, here’s that scene from A Star Is Born:

Filed Under: Song of the Day Tagged With: A Star Is Born, Harold Arlen, Ira Gershwin, Judy Garland, Ralph Sharon, Tony Bennett, Tony Sings for Two

December 7, 2020 By Suzanne Leave a Comment

Song of the Day: My Ship

The song of the day for Tuesday, December 8, 2020, is “My Ship.”

About This Song

“My Ship” was written by Kurt Weill, with lyrics by Ira Gershwin, for the 1941 Broadway musical Lady in the Dark. Miles Davis’ recording in 1957, along with vocal versions by Jeri Southern and Sarah Vaughan, cemented this song as a jazz standard.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “My Ship” for his 1961 album My Heart Sings. Ralph Burns wrote the arrangements for the album and conducted the big band.

“My Ship,” as well as My Heart Sings, is available from Apple Music.

Filed Under: Song of the Day Tagged With: Ira Gershwin, Kurt Weill, My Heart Sings, Ralph Burns, Tony Bennett

November 8, 2020 By Suzanne Leave a Comment

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.

Filed Under: Song of the Day Tagged With: George Gershwin, Ira Gershwin, Tony Bennett, Torrie Zito, Yesterday I Heard The Rain

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