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The Year of Tony Bennett

An Appreciation of the Art and Music of Tony Bennett

February 21, 2023 By Suzanne Leave a Comment

Song of the Day: Body and Soul

The song of the day for Wednesday, February 22, 2203, is “Body and Soul.”

About This Song

“Body and Soul” was written in 1930 by Johnny Green, with lyrics by Edward Heyman, Robert Sour, and Frank Eyton.

Ted Gioia, in his book The Jazz Standards, says that Body and Soul “is the granddaddy of jazz ballads, the quintessential torch song, and the ultimate measuring rod for tenor sax players of all generations. Even in the new millennium, this 1930 composition continues to serve as the cornerstone of the repertoire.”

Louis Armstrong recorded the song first, followed in the 1930s by recordings from primarily white society bands, such as those led by Paul Whiteman. That said, some early recordings by jazz artists including Benny Goodman and especially Art Tatum started to cement this song as a serious jazz standard (in fact, it’s rated #1 on the jazzstandards.com website). However, the Coleman Hawkins recording from 1939 is widely acknowledged to have made the song a true jazz standard. The Hawkins recording was followed by great jazz recordings by Charlie Parker, John Coltrane, Charles Mingus, Thelonious Monk, Art Pepper, Dave Brubeck, and many more. Fine vocal recordings include those by Billie Holiday and Tony Bennett.

About This Version

Tony Bennett and Amy Winehouse recorded “Body and Soul” in 2011 for Duets II. Jorge Calandrelli wrote the arrangement.

This recording won the 2012 Grammy Award for Best Pop Duo/Groupo Performance. It was also Winehouse’s last recording, made just weeks before her death on July 23, 2011.

“Body and Soul,” as well as Duets II is available on Apple Music.

Here’s the video with Tony and Amy:

Filed Under: Song of the Day Tagged With: Amy Winehouse, Edward Heyman, Frank Eyton, Johnny Green, Jorge Calandrelli, Robert Sour, Tony Bennett

December 3, 2022 By Suzanne Leave a Comment

Song of the Day: Body and Soul

The song of the day for Sunday, December 4, 2022, is “Body and Soul.”

About This Song

“Body and Soul” was written in 1930, with music by Johnny Green and lyrics by Edward Heyman, Robert Sour, and Frank Eyton.

Ted Gioia, in his book The Jazz Standards, says that Body and Soul “is the granddaddy of jazz ballads, the quintessential torch song, and the ultimate measuring rod for tenor sax players of all generations. Even in the new millennium, this 1930 composition continues to serve as the cornerstone of the repertoire.” Louis Armstrong recorded the song first, followed in the 1930s by recordings from primarily white society bands, such as those led by Paul Whiteman. That said, some early recordings by jazz artists including Benny Goodman and especially Art Tatum started to cement this song as a serious jazz standard (in fact, it’s rated #1 on the jazzstandards.com website). However, the Coleman Hawkins recording from 1939 is widely acknowledged to have made the song a true jazz standard. The Hawkins recording was followed by great jazz recordings by Charlie Parker, John Coltrane, Charles Mingus, Thelonious Monk, Art Pepper, Dave Brubeck, and many more. Fine vocal recordings include those by Billie Holiday and Tony Bennett.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “Body and Soul” in May 1989 and was released the following year on Astoria: Portrait of the Artist. It was arranged and conducted by Jorge Calandrelli.

“Body and Soul,” as well as Astoria: Portrait of the Artist is available on Apple Music.

Filed Under: Song of the Day Tagged With: Edward Heyman, Frank Eyton, Johnny Green, Robert Sour

October 19, 2022 By Suzanne Leave a Comment

Song of the Day: Easy Come, Easy Go

The song of the day for Thursday, October 20, 2022, is “Easy Come, Easy Go.”

About This Song

“Easy Come, Easy Go” was written in 1937 by Johnny Green and Edward Heyman, the same great songwriting team that wrote “Body and Soul.”

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “Easy Come, Easy Go” on October 1, 1971, for the album With Love, released in 1972. Robert Farnon wrote the arrangement and conducted.

“Easy Come, Easy Go,” as well as With Love is available on Apple Music.

Filed Under: Song of the Day Tagged With: Edward Heyman, Johnny Green, Robert Farnon, Tony Bennett, With Love

September 13, 2022 By Suzanne Leave a Comment

Song of the Day: Body and Soul

The song of the day for Wednesday, September 14, 2022, is “Body and Soul.”

About Today

The Year of Tony Bennett remembers Amy Winehouse on the anniversary of her birth, September 14, 1983.

About This Song

“Body and Soul” was written in 1930 by Johnny Green with lyrics by Edward Heyman, Robert Sour, and Frank Eyton.

Ted Gioia, in his book The Jazz Standards, says that Body and Soul “is the granddaddy of jazz ballads, the quintessential torch song, and the ultimate measuring rod for tenor sax players of all generations. Even in the new millennium, this 1930 composition continues to serve as the cornerstone of the repertoire.” Louis Armstrong recorded the song first, followed in the 1930s by recordings from primarily white society bands, such as those led by Paul Whiteman. That said, some early recordings by jazz artists including Benny Goodman and especially Art Tatum started to cement this song as a serious jazz standard (in fact, it’s rated #1 on the jazzstandards.com website). However, the Coleman Hawkins recording from 1939 is widely acknowledged to have made the song a true jazz standard. The Hawkins recording was followed by great jazz recordings by Charlie Parker, John Coltrane, Charles Mingus, Thelonious Monk, Art Pepper, Dave Brubeck, and many more. Fine vocal recordings include those by Billie Holiday and Tony Bennett.

About This Version

Tony Bennett and Amy Winehouse recorded “Body and Soul” in 2011 for the album Duets II. The arrangement was written by Jorge Calendrelli. It was Amy’s last recording; she died on July 23, 2011.

“Body and Soul,” as well as Duets II is available on Apple Music.

Here’s the video from the recording session.

Filed Under: Song of the Day Tagged With: Amy Winehouse, Duets II, Edward Heyman, Frank Eyton, Johnny Green, Jorge Calendrelli, Robert Sour, Tony Bennett

August 3, 2022 By Suzanne Leave a Comment

Song of the Day: I Cover The Waterfront

The song of the day for Thursday, August 4, 2022, is “I Cover The Waterfront.”

About This Song

“I Cover The Waterfront” was written in 1933 by Johnny Green and Edward Heyman. The song was inspired by the 1932 novel of the same name by Max Miller, which was also made into a film and re-scored just prior to release to include the Johnny Green song. It has been recorded by Ella Fitzgerald, Billie Holiday, Sarah Vaughan, and even John Lee Hooker.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “I Cover The Waterfront” on November 4, 1958; the recording was released in 1959 on the album Hometown, My Town. It was arranged by Ralph Burns.

“I Cover The Waterfront,” as well as Hometown, My Town is available on Apple Music.

Filed Under: Song of the Day Tagged With: Edward Heyman, Hometown My Town, Johnny Green, Ralph Burns, Tony Bennett

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