The Year of Tony Bennett

An Appreciation of the Art and Music of Tony Bennett

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Song of the Day: Sophisticated Lady

The song of the day for Thursday, April 29, 2021, is “Sophisticated Lady.”

About Today

Today marks the 122nd anniversary of the birth of Duke Ellington, born in Washington D.C. on April 29, 1899. His music will never be forgotten and will never be outdated.

About This Song

“Sophisticated Lady” was written by Duke Ellington in 1932, with lyrics by Irving Mills and Mitchell Parish. Ellington is said to have been inspired to write this song by two of his grade school teachers, who toured Europe in the summers after teaching all year. “To me that spelled sophistication.” “Sophisticated Lady” was first recorded in 1933 on the flip side with Harold Arlen’s “Stormy Weather.” It is, of course, one of Ellington’s most popular and often-played songs. In addition to numerous recordings by Ellington over the years, the song has been recorded by Art Tatum, Anita O’Day, Billie Holiday, Billy Eckstine, Johnny Hodges, Sarah Vaughan, and Glenn Miller.

About This Version

Tony Bennett was recorded in 1999 for the album Bennett Sings Ellington: Hot & Cool. Jorge Calandrelli wrote the arrangement.

Sophisticated Lady

Tony Bennett · Bennett Sings Ellington / Hot And Cool · Song · 1999

“Sophisticated Lady,” as well as Bennett Sings Ellington: Hot & Cool, is available from Apple Music.

Here’s Ellington’s 1932 instrumental recording.

Sophisticated Lady - Take 2

Listen to Sophisticated Lady - Take 2 on Spotify. Song · Duke Ellington · 2018

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Song of the Day: Do Nothin’ Till You Hear From Me

The song of the day for Wednesday, February 10, 2021, is “Do Nothin’ Till You Hear From Me.”

About This Song

“Do Nothin’ Till You Hear From Me” was written in 1940 by Duke Ellington and Bob Russell. As with most Ellington songs, the tune was written first and the lyrics added later. Also, as with most Ellington songs, it became a favorite song of both instrumental and vocal musicians. Ellington recorded the song in 1944 and it was a hit on both the R&B and Popular charts. Other recordings include those by Tony Bennett, Louis Armstrong, Sammy Davis, Jr., Anita O’Day, and Nina Simone.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “Do Nothin’ Till You Hear From Me” in 1999 for Bennett Sings Ellington: Hot & Cool. Jorge Calandrelli wrote the arrangement.

Do Nothin" Till You Hear From Me

Listen to Do Nothin" Till You Hear From Me on Spotify. Song · Tony Bennett · 1999

“Do Nothin’ Till You Hear From Me,” as well as Bennett Sings Ellington: Hot & Cool, is available from Apple Music.

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Song of the Day: Good Morning Heartache

The song of the day for Wednesday, January 6, 2021, is “Good Morning Heartache.”

About This Song

“Good Morning, Heartache” was written in 1946 by Irene Higginbotham, Ervin Drake, and Dan Fisher. The song is strongly associated with Billie Holiday, who recorded the song in 1946. The popularity of the song was revived when Diana Ross recorded it for the Billie Holiday biographical film Lady Sings The Blues, released in 1972.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “Good Morning Heartache” in 1996 for the album Tony Bennett On Holiday, released in 1977. It was arranged by Jorge Calandrelli.

Good Morning, Heartache

Tony Bennett · Tony Bennett On Holiday: A Tribute To Billie Holiday · Song · 1997

“Good Morning Heartache,” as well as Tony Bennett On Holiday, is available from Apple Music.

Here’s Billie Holiday’s 1946 recording.

Good Morning Heartache

Billie Holiday · The Decca Singles Vol. 1: 1945-1949 · Song · 2017

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Song of the Day: Don’t Wait Too Long

The song of the day for Wednesday, November 4, 2020, is “Don’t Wait Too Long.”

About This Song

“Don’t Wait Too Long,” written by Sunny Skylar, concerns a relationship between a younger and older person (“you are the summer and I am the autumn”) and the realization that the time together may not be as long as they’d wish. Other recordings of this song are by Frank Sinatra (1965, September of My Years) and Blossom Dearie (1964, May I Come In).

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “Don’t Wait Too Long” as a solo on his 2014 album with Lady Gaga, Cheek To Cheek. Jorge Calandrelli did the arrangement.

Don"t Wait Too Long

Listen to Don"t Wait Too Long on Spotify. Song · Tony Bennett · 2014

“Don’t Wait Too Long,” as well as Cheek To Cheek, is available from Apple Music.

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Song of the Day: Do Nothin’ Till You Hear From Me

The song of the day for Monday, August 24, 2020, is “Do Nothin’ Till You Hear From Me.”

About This Song

Duke Ellington wrote “Do Nothin’ Till You Hear From Me” in 1940, with lyrics by Bob Russell. As with most Ellington songs, the tune was written first and the lyrics added later. Also, as with most Ellington songs, it became a favorite song of both instrumental and vocal musicians. Ellington recorded the song in 1944 and it was a hit on both the R&B and Popular charts. Other recordings include those by Tony Bennett, Louis Armstrong, Sammy Davis, Jr., Anita O’Day, and Nina Simone.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “Do Nothin’ Till You Hear From Me” for his tribute to Duke Ellington–Bennett Sings Ellington: Hot & Cool, released in 1999, one hundred years after the birth of Duke Ellington.

“Do Nothin’ Till You Hear From Me,” as well as Bennett Sings Ellington: Hot & Cool, is available from Apple Music.