The Year of Tony Bennett

An Appreciation of the Art and Music of Tony Bennett

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Song of the Day: St. James Infirmary Blues

The song of the day for Saturday, July 29, 2023, is “St. James Infirmary Blues.”

About This Song

St. James Infirmary Blues” is based on a traditional American folksong, most probably from Appalachia. It’s sometimes known as “Gambler’s Blues.”

About This Version

This recording of “St. James Infirmary Blues” is the earliest known recording by Tony Bennett (who went as Joe Bari then), recorded in 1946. It’s said that this recording was actually of a sound check prior to a concert with The 314th Army Special Services Band Of The European Theater.

“St. James Infirmary Blues,” as well as Rarities, Outtakes & Other Delights, Vol. 1 is available on Apple Music.

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Song of the Day: Vieni Qui

The song of the day for Tuesday, May 10, 2022, is “Vieni Qui.”

About This Song

“Vieni Qui” was written by George Simon and Joe Ricardel.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “Vieni Qui” in April, 1949 for Leslie Records and was released that year as a 78 RPM single. “Vieni Qui” was released in 2011 on Rarities, Outtakes & Other Delights, Vol. 1. Bennett, singing as Joe Bari, sang with Pat Easton for this number.

“Vieni Qui,” as well as the other songs collected on Rarities, Outtakes & Other Delights, Vol 1 is available on Apple Music.

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Song of the Day: Fascinatin’ Rhythm

The song of the day for Saturday, March 16, 2019, is “Fascinatin’ Rhythm.”

About This Song

Written by George and Ira Gershwin in 1924 for the Broadway musical Lady Be Good, “Fascinating Rhythm” 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

Tony Bennett, then known as Joe Bari, recorded “Fascinatin’ Rhythm” in 1949 for Leslie Records. The flip side was the Italian song “Vieni Qui.” This was his first professional recording.

Fascinatin’ Rhythm – 2011 Remaster

Fascinatin’ Rhythm – 2011 Remaster, a song by Tony Bennett on Spotify

“Fascinatin’ Rhythm,” as well as Rarities, Outtakes & Other Delights, Vol. 1, is available from iTunes.

About Today

We started today’s post with Tony’s first recording of “Fascinatin’ Rhythm.” We end with a video of his most recent recording, from his 2018 album with Diana Krall: Love Is Here To Stay. They are accompanied by the very fine Bill Charlap Trio.

Tony Bennett, Diana Krall – Fascinating Rhythm

Listen to “Fascinatin’ Rhythm” off Tony Bennett & Diana Krall’s new album ‘Love Is Here To Stay” HERE: https://Verve.lnk.to/LoveIsHereToStay Official Music Video for “Fascinatin’ Rhythm” An unprecedented union of the two greatest living jazz singers, ‘Love Is Here To Stay’ celebrates Gershwin’s 120th anniversary with a new recording of timeless American popular standards and jazz repertoire.

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Song of the Day: St. James Infirmary Blues

The song of the day for Monday, September 1, 2015 is “St. James Infirmary Blues.”

About This Song

Today’s song, “St. James Infirmary Blues,” is based on an 18th century English folk song called “The Unfortunate Rake.” The St. James Infirmary is thought to be derived from St. James Hospital in London, a religious foundation for treatment of leprosy.

In more modern times, it was first recorded in 1927 by Fess Williams and his Royal Flush Orchestra, but the Louis Armstrong recording in 1928 made the song popular for jazz and blues musicians. It has also been recorded by King Oliver, Duke Ellington, Bobby Blue Bland, Cab Calloway, and Lou Rawls.

About This Version

Today’s version of “St. James Infirmary Blues” was recorded in 1946 while Tony Bennett was serving in the Army in Germany at the close of World War II. He recorded this song with the The 314th Army Special Services Band Of The European Theater using the stage name Joe Bari.

St. James Infirmary Blues

Tony Bennett · Rarities, Outtakes & Other Delights, Vol. 1 · Song · 2012


“St. James Infirmary Blues,” as well as all the songs on Rarities, Outtakes and Other Delights, Vol. 1, is available from iTunes.

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Song of the Day: Fascinatin’ Rhythm

The song of the day for Thursday, December 27, 2012 is Fascinatin’ Rhythm, sung by some guy named Joe Bari; he’s got a great voice. 🙂

Bennett, Tony, NYC, New York, 1950

About Fascinatin’ Rhythm

Fascinatin’ Rhythm is one of the great songs written by George and Ira Gershwin. It was written in 1924 and was introduced by Fred Astaire, Adele Astaire and Cliff Edwards in the Broadway musical Lady Be Good. The Astaires recorded the song in 1926, accompanied by George Gershwin himself.

About This Version

This version of Fascinatin’ Rhythm was recorded by Mr. Bennett, who was then going by the name Joe Bari, in spring 1949 for Leslie Records. The session was produced by George Simon and arranged and conducted by Marty Manning  (with whom Tony Bennett would work with again at Columbia)  and was recorded at the New York Decca studios. From this session, a two-sided 78 RPM disc was released. The other song was a novelty song by George Simon, Vieni Qui.

We are very pleased that most of Tony Bennett’s catalogue, including material like this  that was formerly only available in the 2011 The Complete Collection box set, is now available on both Spotify and iTunes.  We look forward to presenting some of  Mr. Bennett’s early recordings that are now generally available.

Fascinatin" Rhythm

Tony Bennett · Rarities, Outtakes & Other Delights, Vol. 1 · Song · 2012

Fascinatin’ Rhythm, as well as the full Rarirites, Outtakes and & Other Delights, Vol. 1, is available from iTunes.

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