The Year of Tony Bennett

An Appreciation of the Art and Music of Tony Bennett

By Leave a Comment

Song of the Day: Undecided Blues

The song of the day for is “Undecided Blues.”

About This Song

“Undecided Blues” was written in 1941 by blues shouter Jimmy Rushing (also known as Five-by-Five, due to his stature). Rushing was born in Oklahoma City into to a musical family; his father was trumpet player and his mother a singer. He started his career as an itinerant blues singer in the early 1920s. He sang with Jelly Roll Morton and other early jazz orchestras before joining the Bennie Moten band in 1929. When Moten died in 1935, he joined the Count Basie Orchestra, which was his home for many years. Rushing, with the Count Basie Orchestra, first recorded “Undecided Blues” in 1941.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “Undecided Blues” in May 2001 for Playin With My Friends: Bennett Sings the Blues.

“Undecided Blues,” as well as Playin With My Friends: Bennett Sings the Blues, is available on Apple Music.

Here’s Jimmy Rushing singing “Undecided Blues.”

By Leave a Comment

Song of the Day: I’m Coming Virginia

The song of the day for Sunday, Mary 5, 2024, is “I’m Coming, Virginia.”

About This Song

“I’m Coming, Virginia” was written in 1926 by Donald Heywood and Will Marion Cook. The song was recorded by many of the great jazz performers: Ethel Waters, Bix Beiderbecke, Bunny Berigan, Louis Armstrong, Bing Crosby with the Paul Whiteman Orchestra, and Ruby Braff. Alec Wilder in American Popular Song that it is “an unusual and a very good song.”

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “I’m Coming, Virginia” on April 4, 1961, for his album My Heart Sings. Ralph Burns wrote the arrangement and conducted the orchestra.

“I’m Coming Virginia,” as well as My Heart Sings, is available on Apple Music.

I found a lot of great recordings of this song by other artists, but this one from Bunny Berigan caught my fancy:

And then there’s this one by Jimmy Rushing and The Count Basie Orchestra:

Finally, Sidney Bechet and his New Orleans Feetwarmers:

By Leave a Comment

Song of the Day: Undecided Blues

The song of the day for Tuesday, March 5, 2024, is “Undecided Blues.”

About This Song

“Undecided Blues” was written in 1941 by blues shouter Jimmy Rushing (also known as Five-by-Five, due to his stature). Rushing was born in Oklahoma City into a musical family; his father was a trumpet player and his mother was a singer. He started his career as an itinerant blues singer in the early 1920s. He sang with Jelly Roll Morton and other early jazz orchestras before joining the Bennie Moten band in 1929. When Moten died in 1935, he joined the Count Basie Orchestra, which was his home for many years. Rushing, with the Count Basie Orchestra, first recorded “Undecided Blues” in 1941.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “Undecided Blues” in May 2001 for his album Playin’ With My Friends: Bennett Sings the Blues. Rob Mathes wrote the arrangement and Gray Sargent, a member of the Ralph Sharon Quartet, was featured on guitar.

“Undecided Blues,” as well as Playin’ With My Friends: Bennett Sings the Blues, is available on Apple Music.

By Leave a Comment

Song of the Day: Undecided Blues

The song of the day for Saturday, May 13, 2023, is “Undecided Blues.”

About This Song

“Undecided Blues” was written in 1941 by blues shouter Jimmy Rushing (also known as Five-by-Five, due to his stature). Rushing was born in Oklahoma City into a musical family; his father was a trumpet player and his mother was a singer. He started his career as an itinerant blues singer in the early 1920s. He sang with Jelly Roll Morton and other early jazz orchestras before joining the Bennie Moten band in 1929. When Moten died in 1935, he joined the Count Basie Orchestra, which was his home for many years. Rushing with the Count Basie Orchestra first recorded “Undecided Blues” in 1941.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “Undecided Blues” in May 2001 for his album Playin’ With My Friends: Bennett Sings The Blues. Rob Mathes wrote the arrangement.

“Undecided Blues,” as well as Playin’ With My Friends: Bennett Sings The Blues is available on Apple Music.

By Leave a Comment

Song of the Day: Undecided Blues

The song of the day for Monday, May 9, 2022, is “Undecided Blues.”

About This Song

“Undecided Blues” was written in 1941 by blues shouter Jimmy Rushing (also known as Five-by-Five, due to his stature). Rushing was born in Oklahoma City into to a musical family; his father was trumpet player and his mother a singer. He started his career as an itinerant blues singer in the early 1920s. He sang with Jelly Roll Morton and other early jazz orchestras before joining the Bennie Moten band in 1929. When Moten died in 1935, he joined the Count Basie Orchestra, which was his home for many years. Rushing with the Count Basie Orchestra first recorded “Undecided Blues” in 1941.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “Undecided Blues” in 2001 for his album Playin’ With My Friends: Bennett Sings The Blues. The Ralph Sharon Quartet (Sharon on piano; Gray Sargent on guitar; Paul Langosch on bass; and Clayton Cameron on drums) backs Bennett on this album. The vocal arrangements are by Rob Mathes. The album won the 2003 Grammy Award for Best Traditional Pop Album.

“Undecided Blues,” as well as Playin’ With My Friends: Bennett Sings The Blues is available on Apple Music.