The Year of Tony Bennett

An Appreciation of the Art and Music of Tony Bennett

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Song of the Day: All For You

The song of the day for Sunday, February 14, 2021, is “All For You.”

About This Song

Django Reinhardt wrote the song “Nuages” in 1940; Tony Bennett wrote these lyrics to the song in 2004. Bennett’s son, Danny, had long encouraged his father to write a song. While performing in Hawaii, he dropped in to a small jazz club and heard the Django Reinhardt song “Nuages” and felt that he had found the right melody for the song he had in mind. The resulting song is a really beautiful love song for his Susan, now his wife.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “All For You” in 2004 for The Art of Romance. Johnny Mandel arranged the song and conducted the orchestra.

All For You

Listen to All For You on Spotify. Tony Bennett · Song · 2004.

“All For You,” as well as The Art of Romance, is available from Apple Music.

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Song of the Day: Close Enough For Love

The song of the day for Monday, January 11, 2021, is “Close Enough For Love.”

About This Song

“Close Enough For Love” was written by Johnny Mandel and Paul Williams in 1979. It was first recorded by Peggy Lee on her album of the same name. Although Mandel and Williams are well-known for their work as film composers, this song was not composed for film. It is a favorite of jazz vocalists; in addition to Peggy Lee’s and Tony Bennett’s recordings, it has also been recorded by Shirley Horn (which is very fine) and Andy Williams.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “Close Enough For Love” in 2004 for The Art of Romance. Johnny Mandel did the arrangement and conducted the orchestra.

Close Enough for Love

Listen to Close Enough for Love on Spotify. Tony Bennett · Song · 2004.

“Close Enough For Love,” as well as The Art of Romance, is available from Apple Music.

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Song of the Day: Where Do You Start

The song of the day for Saturday, December 5, 2020, is “Where Do You Start.”

About This Song

“Where Do You Start” was written in 1987 by Johnny Mandell, with lyrics by Alan and Marilyn Bergman. It is one the great songs from the Bergmans with a beautiful melody by Johnny Mandel. This song has had many beautiful recordings: Nancy Lamott, Shirley Horn, Rosemary Clooney, Barbra Streisand, the Brad Mehldau Trio, Annie Ross, and Tony Bennett.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “Where Do You Start” in 2004 for his album The Art of Romance. Mandel wrote the arrangment and conducted the orchestra.

Where Do You Start

Listen to Where Do You Start on Spotify. Tony Bennett · Song · 2004.

“Where Do You Start,” as well as The Art of Romance, is available from Apple Music.

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Song of the Day: The Shadow of Your Smile

The song of the day for Monday, November 23, 2020, is “The Shadow of Your Smile.”

About Today

Today we are celebrating the life of Johnny Mandel, born on November 23, 1925, in New York City. He was a prolific composer, especially for films. Sadly, we lost Mandel this year, who died on June 29, 2020, at the age of 94.

About This Song

“The Shadow of Your Smile” was written by Johnny Mandel, with lyrics by Paul Francis Webster, for the 1965 film The Sandpiper, starring Richard Burton and Elizabeth Taylor. It was filmed, beautifully, in Big Sur on the California coastline. The song won the Academy Award for Best Original Song.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “The Shadow of Your Smile” in 1965 for The Movie Song Album, released in 1966. It was arranged and conducted by Mandel and features Jimmy Rowles on piano. The recording won the Grammy Award for Song of the Year.

The Shadow of Your Smile (Love Theme from “The Sandpiper”)

Listen to The Shadow of Your Smile (Love Theme from “The Sandpiper”) on Spotify. Tony Bennett · Song · 1966.

“The Shadow of Your Smile,” as well as The Movie Song Album, is available from Apple Music.

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Song of the Day: Where Do You Start?

The song of the day for Thursday, October 14, 2020, is “Where Do You Start.”

About This Song

“Where Do You Start?” was written in 1987 by Johnny Mandel, with lyrics by Alan and Marilyn Bergman. This song has had many beautiful recordings: Nancy Lamott, Shirley Horn, Rosemary Clooney, Barbra Streisand, the Brad Mehldau Trio, Annie Ross, and Tony Bennett.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “Where Do You Start?” in 2004 for his album The Art of Romance. Johnny Mandel, the composer, arranged and conducted the orchestra. The album won the 2006 Grammy Award for Best Traditional Pop Vocal Album.

“Where Do You Start?”, as well as The Art of Romance, is available from Apple Music.

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