The Year of Tony Bennett

An Appreciation of the Art and Music of Tony Bennett

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Song of the Day: Moments Like This

The song of the day for Friday, June 16, 2023, is “Moments Like This.”

About This Song

“Moments Like This” was composed by Burton Lane, with lyrics by Frank Loessers, in 1938 for the movie College Swing. Early recordings include those by Maxine Sullivan, Teddy Wilson, and Dick Stabile and His Orchestra. Later recordings include those by Peggy Lee, Bobby Short, and Michael Feinstein.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “Moments Like This” in January 1986 for The Art of Excellence, his first album upon returning to Columbia Records. The album was orchestrated and conducted by Jorge Calandrelli.

“Moments Like This,” as well as The Art of Excellence is available on Apple Music.

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Song of the Day: My Old Flame

The song of the day for Thursday, June 1, 2023, is “My Old Flame.”

About This Song

“My Old Flame” was written by Arthur Johnston and Sam Coslow in 1934 for the movie Belle of the Nineties, which starred Mae West. Mae West was an ardent Duke Ellington fan and insisted that he and his orchestra be hired to do the film and accompany her when she sang it.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “My Old Flame” in June 1996 for his album dedicated to the music of Billie Holiday: Tony Bennett On Holiday, released in 1997. Jorge Calandrelli wrote the arrangement.

“My Old Flame,” as well as Tony Bennett On Holiday is available on Apple Music.

Here’s Billie Holiday’s recording of “My Old Flame” from 1944:

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Song of the Day: Honeysuckle Rose

The song of the day for Saturday, May 27, 2023, is “Honeysuckle Rose.”

About This Song

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

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “Honeysuckle Rose” in July 1995 for his album Here’s To The Ladies, which is comprised of songs associated with the great 20th-century female singers; this song is for Lena Horne. Jorge Calandrelli conducted the orchestra and wrote the arrangement.

Here’s To The Ladies won the 1996 Grammy Award for Best Traditional Pop Vocal Performance.

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

Here’s a live performance of “Honeysuckle Rose” by Lena Horne in 1957 at the Waldorf Astoria.

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Song of the Day: Body and Soul

The song of the day for Wednesday, May 24, 2023, 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

Today we have Bennett’s first recording of “Body and Soul,” recorded in May 1989 for his 1990 autobiographical album Astoria: Portrait of the Artist. Jorge Calandrelli wrote the arrangement and conducted the orchestra.

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

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Song of the Day: Prelude to a Kiss

The song of the day for Saturday, April 29, 2023, is “Prelude to a Kiss.”

About Today

Happy Birthday to the great Duke Ellington, born on April 29, 1899, in Washington, D.C. We love you madly!

About This Song

“Prelude to a Kiss” was written in 1938 by Duke Ellington, with lyrics by Irving Gordon and Irving Miss. Ted Gioia in The Jazz Standards notes that in the late 1930s, having practically invented swing music”

… at this juncture, he does the exact opposite. The Duke uses his fame and great artistic freedom to become more ambitious, more experimental, less beholden to the formulas of swing music. ‘Prelude To A Kiss’ from 1938 is a case in point.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “Prelude to a Kiss” in May 1999 for his album Bennett Sings Ellington: Hot & Cool. The recording feature violinist Joel Smirnoff and was arranged by Jorge Calandrelli.

“Prelude to a Kiss,” as well as Bennett Sings Ellington: Hot & Cool is available on Apple Music.

Here’s an early recording of today’s song: