The Year of Tony Bennett

An Appreciation of the Art and Music of Tony Bennett

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Song of the Day: Don’t Cry Baby

The song of the day for Monday, June 12, 2023, is “Don’t Cry Baby.”

About This Song

“Don’t Cry Baby” was written in 1929 by James P. Johnson, Saul Bernie, and Stella Unger. Johnson was a composer and pianist who, along with Jelly Roll Morton, came into prominence in the era between ragtime and the stride piano techniques in early jazz. Saul Bernie and Stella Unger were both composers who were active in the 1920s. It was first sung by Bessie Smith in 1929. Erskine Hawkins recorded it in 1943; this version reached #1 on the Harlem Hit Parade in 1943 and #15 on the popular charts. Etta James recorded it in 1961 as well.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “Don’t Cry Baby” in May 2001 for his album Playin’ With My Friends: Bennett Sings The Blues. Featured artists on this recording are Harry Allen on saxophone and Mike Melvoin on the Hammond B3 organ.

“Don’t Cry Baby,” as well as Playin’ Withy My Friends: Bennett Sings The Blues is available on Apple Music.

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Song of the Day: You Can’t Lose a Broken Heart

The song of the day for Sunday, February 5, 2023, is “You Can’t Lose a Broken Heart.”

About This Song

“You Can’t Lose a Broken Heart” was written in 1931 by James P. Johnson and Flournoy Earkin Miller. Johnson, a composer who was also known as a Harlem Stride pianist, collaborated with author and producer Miller to produce the Sugar Hill revue in 1931 for this song. Louis Armstrong and Billie Holiday recorded “You Can’t Lose A Broken Heart” as a duet with Sy Oliver and His Orchestra in 1949 on the Decca label.

About This Version

Tony Bennett and k.d. lang recorded “You Can’t Lose a Broken Heart” in March 2002 for the album A Wonderful World. Vocal arrangements were by Rob Mathes. The album was orchestrated and conducted by Peter Matz, with musical direction and arrangements by Lee Musiker.

“You Can’t Lose a Broken Heart” as well as A Wonderful World is available on Apple Music.

Here’s the Louis Armstrong and Billy Holiday 1949 duet of “You Can’t Lose a Broken Heart” on the Decca label:

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Song of the Day: Don’t Cry Baby

The song of the day for Friday, May 20, 2022, is “Don’t Cry Baby.”

About This Song

“Don’t Cry Baby” was written in 1929 by James P. Johnson, Saul Bernie, and Stella Unger. Jimmy Johnson was a composer and pianist who, along with Jelly Roll Morton, came into prominence in the era between ragtime and the stride piano techniques in early jazz. Saul Bernie and Stella Unger were both composers who were active in the 1920s. It was first sung by Bessie Smith in 1929. Erskine Hawkins recorded it in 1943; this version reached #1 on the Harlem Hit Parade in 1943 and #15 on the popular charts. Etta James recorded it in 1961 as well.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “Don’t Cry Baby” on October 1, 1950, featuring an arrangement by Norman Leyden.

Your friendly author was 12 days old on the date of this recording, seen here with my mother:

 

“Don’t Cry Baby,” as well as the singles collected on The Columbia Singles, Vol. 1 is available on Apple Music.

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Song of the Day: Don’t Cry Baby

The song of the day for Tuesday, March 15, 2022, is “Don’t Cry Baby.”

About This Song

“Don’t Cry Baby” was ” was written in 1929 by James P. Johnson, Saul Bernie, and Stella Unger. Jimmy Johnson was a composer and pianist who, along with Jelly Roll Morton, came into prominence in the era between ragtime and the stride piano techniques in early jazz. Saul Bernie and Stella Unger were both composers who were active in the 1920s. It was first sung by Bessie Smith in 1929. Erskine Hawkins recorded it in 1943; this version reached #1 on the Harlem Hit Parade in 1943 and #15 on the popular charts. Etta James recorded it in 1961 as well.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “Don’t Cry Baby” in 2001 for his album Playin’ With My Friends: Bennett Sings The Blues. The album won the 2003 Grammy Award for Best Traditional Pop Album.

“Don’t Cry Baby,” as well as Playin’ With My Friends: Bennett Sings The Blues is available on Apple Music.

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Song of the Day: If I Could Be With You

The song of the day for Friday, December 3. 2021, is “If I Could Be With You.”

About This Song

“If I Could Be With You” was written in 1926 by James P. Johnson, with lyrics by Henry Creamer. Pianist Johnson, who wrote this song, made a piano roll of it in 1927, the same year it was used in the revue Brownskin Models. In 1930, there were several successful recordings, including those by Louis Armstrong and Ruth Etting. Other recordings include this by Bing Crosby, Ella Fitzgerald, Kay Starr, and Billie Holiday.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “If I Could Be With You” for his 1997 album Tony Bennett On Holiday.

“If I Could Be With You,” as well as Tony Bennett On Holiday is available on Apple Music.

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