The Year of Tony Bennett

An Appreciation of the Art and Music of Tony Bennett

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Song of the Day: Emily

The song of the day for Monday, October 2, 2023, is “Emily.”

About This Song

“Emily” was written by Johnny Mandel and Johnny Mercer for the 1964 film The Americanization of Emily, which starred James Garner and Julie Andrews. It takes place in London in 1944. Emily, played by Julie Andrews, lost her husband, brother, and father in the war and finds herself attracted to Charlie Madison, played by James Garner. The film was very well received and is a personal favorite of both of the lead actors.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “Emily” on December 28, 1965, for The Movie Song Album. This song was arranged and conducted by the composer, Johnny Mandel.

“Emily” as well as The Movie Song Album, is available on Apple Music.

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Song of the Day: All For You

The song of the day for Saturday, September 9, 2023, is “All For You.”

About Today

The Year of Tony Bennett wants to wish Susan Benedetto a happy birthday.

About This Song

“All For You” was composed in 1940 by Django Reinhardt as “Nuages,” with lyrics by Tony Bennett in 2004. Tony Bennett’s son, Danny, had long encouraged his father to write a song. While performing in Hawaii, he dropped into a small jazz club and heard the Django Reinhardt song “Nuages” and felt he had found the right melody for the song he had in mind. The resulting song is really beautiful.

About This Version

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

The Art of Romance won the 2006 Grammy Award for Best Traditional Pop Vocal Album.

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

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Song of the Day: Close Enough For Love

The song of the day for Wednesday, August 30, 2023, is “Close Enough For Love.”

About This Song

“Close Enough For Love” was written in 1979 by Johnny Mandel and Paul Williams. Peggy Lee did the first recording of this song on her album of the same name. In addition to Peggy Lee and Tony Bennett, Shirley Horn has also recorded this song.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “Close Enough For Love” in 2004 for his album The Art of Romance. Composer Mandel wrote the arrangement and conducted the orchestra.

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

If you love this song as much as I do, you may like Shirley Horn’s recording from her 1989 album Close Enough For Love:

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Song of the Day: Close Enough For Love

The song of the day for Monday, August 7, 2023, is “Close Enough For Love.”

About This Song

“Close Enough For Love” was written in 1979 by Johnny Mandel and Paul Williams. It was first recorded by Peggy Lee on her album of the same name. 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 and Andy Williams.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “Close Enough For Love” in 2004 for his album The Art of Romance. It was arranged and conducted by Johnny Mandel.

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

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Song of the Day: The Shining Sea

The song of the day for Wednesday, August 2, 2023, is “The Shining Sea.”

About This Song

“The Shining Sea” was written by Johnny Mandel and Peggy Lee for the 1966 Cold War comedy The Russians Are Coming The Russians Are Coming. The film concerns a Russian submarine that gets trapped on high ground near a New England town. The town gossip causes mass hysteria, but all is well in the end.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “The Shining Sea” at CBS 30th Street Studio in New York on June 11, 1966, for his album A Time For Love. Mandel wrote the arrangement and conducted the orchestra. The recording features Bobby Hackett on cornet.

“The Shining Sea,” as well as A Time For Love is available on Apple Music.