The Year of Tony Bennett

An Appreciation of the Art and Music of Tony Bennett

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Song of the Day: Who Cares

The song of the day for Monday, November 6, 2023, is “Who Cares.”

About This Song

“Who Cares” was written by George and Ira Gershwin for the 1931 Broadway musical Of Thee I Sing. It’s one of their very popular songs with many fine recordings, including those by Fred Astaire, Ella Fitzgerald and Judy Garland.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “Who Cares” in July 1993 for his album Steppin’ Out, consisting of songs performed by Fred Astaire. Bennett and Ralph Sharon wrote the arrangement.

“Who Cares,” as well as Steppin’ Out, is available on Apple Music.

Fred Astaire and Benny Goodman recorded “Who Cares” in 1940:

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Song of the Day: Hi-Ho

The song of the day for Thursday, October 19, 2023, is “Hi-Ho.”

About This Song

“Hi-Ho” was written in 1936 by George and Ira Gershwin. It was one of the first songs the Gershwin brothers wrote when they first came to Hollywood and were 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 1967. Tony Bennett’s was the first recording of this song.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “Hi-Ho” on May 22, 1968, for his album Yesterday I Heard The Rain. It was arranged and conducted by Torrie Zito.

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

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Song of the Day: My Ship

The song of the day for Wednesday, October 18, 2023, is “My Ship.”

About This Song

“My Ship” was written by Kurt Weill and Ira Gershwin for the 1941 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” on April 6, 1961, for his album My Heart Sings. Ralph Burns wrote the arrangement and conducted the orchestra.

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

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Song of the Day: The Man That Got Away

The song of the day for Wednesday, October 4, 2023, 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 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 Got Away” on October 28, 1959, for his album with pianist Ralph Sharon, Tony Sings For Two, released in 1961.

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

And, of course, here’s Judy Garland’s brilliant performance from A Star Is Born:

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Song of the Day: Fascinating Rhythm

The song of the day for Tuesday, September 26, 2023, is “Fascinating Rhythm.”

About Today

Today we are celebrating the great George Gershwin, who was born in New York City on September 26, 1898.

About This Song

“Fascinating Rhythm” was written by George and Ira Gershwin for the Broadway musical Lady Be Good and 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

Today I’m featuring two versions of “Fascinating Rhythm.”

1949: Tony Bennett recorded “Fascinating Rhythm” in April 1949 for Leslie Records as a 78, with “Vieni Qui” on the flip side. The record helped make Bennett a success: Mitch Miller, a producer for Columbia Records, heard “Fascinating Rhythm,” along with a recording made later that year “Boulevard of Broken Dreams” and decided to sign Bennett to Columbia in 1950.

2018: Tony Bennett and Diana Krall recorded a duet of Fascinating Rhythm” for his penultimate album, Love Is Here To Stay.

“Fascinating Rhythm,” as well as Love Is Here To Stay, is available on Apple Music.