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The Year of Tony Bennett

An Appreciation of the Art and Music of Tony Bennett

November 28, 2022 By Suzanne Leave a Comment

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

The song of the day for Tuesday, November 29, 2022, is “The Folks That Live On The Hill.”

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 in 1957 for her album The Man I Love, which was 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, and released it the following year on Astoria: Portrait of the Artist. It was arranged and conducted by Jorge Calandrelli.

“The Folks That Live on the Hill,” as well as Astoria: Portrait of the Artist is available on Apple Music.

Filed Under: Song of the Day Tagged With: Jerome Kern, Jorge Calandrelli, Oscar Hammerstein, Tony Bennett

August 22, 2022 By Suzanne Leave a Comment

Song of the Day: All The Things You Are

The song of the day for Tuesday, August 23, 2022, is “All The Things You Are.”

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 on June 9, 1962, at his legendary concert at Carnegie Hall. Ralph Sharon wrote the arrangements and conducted the orchestra. The concert was recorded and released later that year on Tony Bennett at Carnegie Hall.

“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 11, 2022 By Suzanne Leave a Comment

Song of the Day: The Way You Look Tonight

The song of the day for Thursday, Mary 12, 2022, is “The Way You Look Tonight.”

About This Song

“The Way You Look Tonight” was written in 1936 by Jerome Kern and Dorothy Fields. It was introduced by Fred Astaire in the 1936 film Swing Time; the song won the Academy Award for Best Original Song for the year. Dorothy Fields remarked “The first time Jerry played that melody for me I went out and started to cry. The release absolutely killed me. I couldn’t stop, it was so beautiful.” Dorothy Fields was the first woman to win an Oscar for songwriting. It’s a magnificent love song that has found a strong position as a jazz standard, with recordings by Bing Crosby, Billie Holiday, Mel Tormé, and Frank Sinatra.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “The Way You Look Tonight” in 1997 with the Ralph Sharon Trio for My Best Friend’s Wedding soundtrack.

“The Way You Look Tonight,” as well as Rarities, Outtakes & Other Delights, Vol. 2 is available on Apple Music.

Filed Under: Song of the Day Tagged With: Dorothy Fields, Jerome Kern, My Best Friend's Wedding, Rarities Outtakes and Other Delights Vol 2, The Ralph Sharon Trio, Tony Bennett

April 11, 2022 By Suzanne Leave a Comment

Song of the Day: Pick Yourself Up

The song of the day for Tuesday, April 12, 2022, is “Pick Yourself Up.”

About This Song

“Pick Yourself Up” was written by Jerome Kern and Dorothy Fields for the film Swing Time, where it was introduced by Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers. It was used in the early part of the film where Astaire pretends to not be able to dance and asks for Ginger Rogers as his dance instructor just so he could dance with her. This song has been widely recorded, including those by Nat King Cole, Anita O’Day, Ella Fitzgerald, Frank Sinatra, and Diana Krall.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “Pick Yourself Up” with The Bill Charlap Trio for the 2015 album The Silver Lining: The Songs of Jerome Kern. Rounding out Charlap on piano, the trio features Peter Washington on bass and Kenny Washington on drums. Bill Charlap wrote all arrangements for this album.

This album won the Grammy Award for Best Traditional Pop Album.

“Pick Yourself Up,” as well as The Silver Lining: The Songs of Jerome Kern is available on Apple Music.

One of the things that got me through the pandemic years of 2020 and 2021 was this fund-raising video for the Actors Fund of “Pick Yourself Up.” Pianist Tony DeSare pulled together jazz and stage performers to create this video. Whenever I’m feeling blue, I always play this video. And contribute something to The Actors Fund, led by Brian Stokes Mitchell, which helped support actors and musicians who were unable to work during the height of the pandemic.

Filed Under: Song of the Day Tagged With: Actor's Fund, Bill Charlap, Dorothy Fields, Jerome Kern, Kenny Washington, Peter Washington, Tony Bennett

March 10, 2022 By Suzanne Leave a Comment

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

The song of the day for Friday, March 11, 2022, is “The Folks That Live On The Hill.”

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 in 1957 for her album The Man I Love; it was 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” for his 1990 autobiographical album Astoria: Portrait Of The Artist. It was arranged and conducted by Jorge Calandrelli.

“The Folks That Live On The Hill,” as well as Astoria: Portrait of the Artist is available on Apple Music.

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

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