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The Year of Tony Bennett

An Appreciation of the Art and Music of Tony Bennett

July 12, 2025 By Suzanne Leave a Comment

Song of the Day: The Folks That Live On The Hill

The song of the day for Saturday, July 12, 2025, is “The Folks That Live On The Hill.”

About Today

The Year of Tony Bennett honors Oscar Hammerstein on the anniversary of his birth 130 years ago on July 12, 1985. In addition his work as a lyricist for Jerome Kern (with whom he wrote today’s song) and Richard Rodgers, he was also a theatre director and producer. He was was a mentor to the teen-age Stephen Sondheim.

About This Song

“The Folks That Live On The Hill” was written by Jerome Kern and Oscar Hammerstein for the 1937 movie High, Wide, and Handsome, where it was introduced by Irene Dunne. Bing Crosby recorded it that same year. Peggy Lee recorded it 1957 for her album The Man I Love, conducted by Frank Sinatra. Other recordings include those by Diana Krall, Jo Stafford, and Nina Simone.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “The Folks That Live On The Hill” on May 18, 1989, for <em>Astoria: Portrait of the Artist, released in 1990. Jorge Calandrelli wrote the arrangement and conducted the orchestra.

“The Folks That Live On The Hill,” as well as , is available on Apple Music.

Filed Under: Song of the Day Tagged With: Astoria: Portrait of the Artist, Happy Birthday Oscar Hammerstein, Jerome Kern, Jorge Calandrelli, Oscar Hammerstein, Tony Bennett

June 9, 2025 By Suzanne Leave a Comment

Song of the Day: All The Things You Are

The song of the day for Monday, June 9, 2025, is “All The Things You Are.”

About Today

Sixty-three years ago today, on June 9, 2025, Tony Bennett performed at Carnegie Hall.

Carnegie Hall issued the invitation and Columbia Records backed him completely, including releasing a record of the concert. Tony Bennett asked his old Army buddy Arthur Penn, who had just finished filming The Miracle Worker, to help with the staging. Penn enlisted director Gene Saks to help.

Meanwhile, Bennett and Ralph Sharon were preparing for the concert. Sharon put the orchestra together and was busy writing arrangements for the two-act concert, with 40 songs. Bennett related in his book The Good Life:

Two weeks before the concert, I was in Chicago in a bistro on Rush Street called the Living Room. Ralph was rehearsing day and night in preparation for our Carnegie Hall show. The jazz vocal trio Lambert, Hendricks, and Ross were working across the street and Jon Hendricks and I ended up jamming in every joint on Rush Street. By the end of the two weeks I was ready for opening night

The concert was held on June 9, 1962. Backstage I had a healthy case of the butterflies and reflected on Sinatra’s advice about the jitters. From the minute I hit the stage all the nervousness disappeared, and I knew I was gonna nail it. I’m proud to say the concert was an absolute triumph.

My whole family was in the audience that night. I was particularly proud that my mother was there; that made me feel like a million bucks. It was the biggest night of my life. My mom couldn’t believe how far I’d come. She was sitting between Mary and Tom, and as the crowds were cheering for an encore, she kept turning to Mary and asking, “Why don’t they let Anthony go home and rest? He must be exhausted after two and a half hours of singing.” She was so precious, she meant everything to me.

The concert was, indeed, a triumph.

About This Song

“All The Things You Are” was written by Jerome Kern and Oscar Hammerstein for the 1939 musical Very Warm For May. In American Popular Song, Alec Wilder considers it to be one of Kern’s finest songs and with good reason. It’s a beautiful tune and Hammerstein’s lyrics are excellent.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “All The Things You Are” live at Carnegie Hall 63 years ago on June 9, 1962. A condensed version of the concert on a 2-LP set was released in August 1962 as Tony Bennett At Carnegie Hall. The complete concert was released on 2 CDs in 1997.

“All The Things You Are,” as well as Tony Bennett At Carnegie Hall, is available on Apple Music.

Filed Under: Song of the Day Tagged With: Jerome Kern, Oscar Hammerstein, Ralph Sharon, Tony Bennett, Tony Bennett at Carnegie Hall, Very Warm For May

May 20, 2025 By Suzanne Leave a Comment

Song of the Day: Make Believe

The song of the day for Tuesday, may 20, 2025, is “Make Believe.”

About This Song

“Make Believe” was written by Jerome Kern and Oscar Hammerstein for the 1927 Broadway musical Show Boat. The song is sung in Act One by Gaylord Ravenal and Magnolia Hawks (daughter of Cap’n Andy, owner of the show boat).

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “Make Believe” in 2015 for The Silver Lining: The Songs of Jerome Kern. Bennett is accompanied by Bill Charlap, who also produced the album.

The Silver Lining: The Songs of Jerome Kern won the 58th Grammy Award for Best Traditional Pop Album.

“Make Believe,” as well as The Silver Lining: The Songs of Jerome Kern, is available on Apple Music.

Filed Under: Song of the Day Tagged With: Bill Charlap, Jerome Kern, Oscar Hammerstein, Show Boat, The Silver Lining: The Songs of Jerome Kern, Tony Bennett

May 14, 2025 By Suzanne Leave a Comment

Song of the Day: The Last Time I Saw Paris

The song of the day for Wednesday, April 14, 2025, is “The Last Time I Saw Paris.”

About This Song

“The Last Time I Saw Paris” was written in 1940 by Jerome Kern and Oscar Hammerstein. The song was used in the 1941 film Lady Be Good, where it was sung by Ann Sothern; the song won the Academy Award for best song that year. the song also inspired the 1954 film of the same name, starring Elizabeth Taylor and Van Johnson. Significant recordings include those by Kate Smith, Bud Powell, Dinah Shore, Dean Martin, and Connie Francis.

About This Version

Tony Bennett, accompanied by Bill Charlap and Renee Rosnes, recorded “The Last Time I Saw Paris” in 2015 for The Silver Lining: The Songs of Jerome Kern. Bill Charlap, who produced the album, wrote the arrangement.

“The Last Time I Saw Paris,” as well as The Silver Lining: The Songs of Jerome Kern, is available on Apple Music.

Filed Under: Song of the Day Tagged With: Bill Charlap, Jerome Kern, Oscar Hammerstein, Renee Rosnes, The Silver Lining: The Songs of Jerome Kern, Tony Bennett

April 27, 2025 By Suzanne Leave a Comment

Song of the Day: The Song Is You

The song of the day for Sunday, April 27, 2025, is “The Song Is You.”

About This Song

“The Song Is You” was written by Jerome Kern and Oscar Hammerstein for the 1932 musical Music In The Air. It has been widely recorded and is associated with Frank Sinatra, who recorded it with Tommy Dorsey.

About This Version

Tony Bennett, accompanied by Bill Charlap and Renee Rosnes, recorded “The Song Is You” for his 2015 album The Silver Lining: The Songs of Jerome Kern. Bill Charlap, who produced the album, wrote the arrangement.

The Silver Lining: The Songs of Jerome Kern won the 2015 Grammy Award for Best Traditional Pop Vocal Album.

“The Song Is You,” as well as The Silver Lining: The Songs of Jerome Kern, is available on Apple Music.

Filed Under: Song of the Day Tagged With: Bill Charlap, Jerome Kern, Oscar Hammerstein, Renee Rosnes, The Silver Lining: The Songs of Jerome Kern, Tony Bennett

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