The Year of Tony Bennett

An Appreciation of the Art and Music of Tony Bennett

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Song of the Day: Ill Wind (You’re Blowin’ Me No Good)

The song of the day for Monday, July 7, 2025, is “Ill Wind (You’re Blowin’ Me No Good).”

About This Song

“Ill Wind (You’re Blowin’ Me No Good)” was written in 1934 by Harold Arlen and Ted Koehler for their last show at the Cotton Club, where it was sung by Adelaide Hall. This song has been recorded by Billie Holiday, Ella Fitzgerald, Stan Kenton, Audra McDonald, Sarah Vaughan, Dinah Washington, and Frank Sinatra.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “Ill Wind (You’re Blowin’ Me No Good)” in June 1996 for his 1997 album Tony Bennett On Holiday, consisting of songs associated with Billie Holiday. Jorge Calandrelli wrote the arrangement.

“Ill Wind (You’re Blowin’ Me No Good),” as well as Tony Bennett On Holiday, is available on Apple Music.

Billie Holiday recorded “Ill Wind (You’re Blowin’ Me No Good)” in 1956 for her album All Or Nothing At All. It was her last album. Featured on the album were Harry “Sweets” Edison (trumpet) and Ben Webster (saxophone).

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Song of the Day: A Rainy Day

The song of the day for Saturday, July 5, 2025, is “A Rainy Day.”

About This Song

“A Rainy Day” was written by Arthur Schwartz and Howard Dietz for the 1932 revue Flying Colors, which starred Clifton Webb, Imogene Coca, and Buddy and Vilma Ebsen.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “A Rainy Day” in January 1986 for The Art of Excellence, his first album after his return to Columbia Records. Jorge Calandrelli orchestrated and conducted the album. Annie Leibovitz took the iconic photograph on the cover of the album.

“A Rainy Day,” as well as The Art of Excellence, is available on Apple Music.

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Song of the Day: Honeysuckle Rose

The song of the day for Monday, June 30, 2025, is “Honeysuckle Rose.”

About Today

Today we are celebrating the late Lena Horne, who was born in New York City on June 30, 1917. She was a singer, actress, and dancer, in addition to being a civil rights activist.

In 1974, Lena Horne and Tony Bennett performed Tony & Lena Sing on Broadway for several months. Lena appeared on Broadway again in her 1981 one-woman revue Lena Horne: The Lady and Her Music, which I had the great thrill of seeing.

About This Song

“Honeysuckle Rose” was written in 1929 by Thomas “Fats” Waller and Andy Razaf. It’s one of Waller’s better known songs and for good reason. The tune is very well written and Razaf’s lyrics are delightful. Waller recorded the song in 1934 and that recording was inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame in 1999. The song has been recorded steadily throughout the years, including the one from Lena Horne in 1963.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “Honeysuckle Rose” in July 1995 for Here’ To The Ladies, featuring an arrangement by Jorge Calandrelli. For that album, Bennett chose songs made famous by some of the great female singers of the 20th century. He chose to honor Lena Horne with “Honeysuckle Rose.”

“Honeysuckle Rose,” as well as Here’s To The Ladies, is available on Apple Music.

I was able to find this video of Tony Bennett and Lena Horne singing “Mood Indigo.” (Date and occasion unknown.)

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Song of the Day: The Very Thought Of You

The song of the day for Wednesday, June 18, 2025, is “The Very Thought Of You.”

About Today

The Year of Tony Bennett is happy to wish Sir Paul McCartney a very happy birthday! He was born 83 years ago on June 18, 1942, in Liverpool, England.

About This Song

“The Very Thought Of You” was written in 1934 by Ray Noble. This ballad by the British composer and band leader Noble has been popular since it was written in 1934. Noble recorded it with his own orchestra; Bing Crosby also recorded it that same year. Other significant recordings include those by Frank Sinatra, Carmen McRae, and Nat King Cole.

About This Version

Tony Bennett and Paul McCartney recorded “The Very Thought Of You” in March 2006 at Abbey Road Studios for Duets: An American Classic. Jorge Calandrelli wrote the arrangement.

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“The Very Thought Of You,” as well as Duets: An American Classic, is available on Apple Music.

Here’s the official video for this recording:

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Song of the Day: A Little Street Where Old Friends Meet

The song of the day for Thursday, June 5, 2025, is “A Little Street Where Old Friends Meet.”

About This Song

“A Little Street Where Old Friends Meet” was written in 1932 by Harry Woods and Gus Kahn. This charming song was first recorded by Ruth Etting in 1932. Other significant recordings include those by Al Bowlly with the Ray Noble Orchestra, Isham Jones and His Orchestra, The Lennon Sisters, Nat “King” Cole, and Tony Bennett.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “A Little Street Where Old Friends Meet” on May 16, 1989, for Astoria: Portrait of the Artist, released in 1990. Jorge Calandrelli wrote the arrangement.

“A Little Street Where Old Friends Meet,” as well as Astoria: Portrait of the Artist, is available on Apple Music.

We have the 1932 recording of “A Little Street Where Old Friends Meet” by Isham Jones and His Orchestra. It’s a really nice recording.