The Year of Tony Bennett

An Appreciation of the Art and Music of Tony Bennett

By Leave a Comment

Song of the Day: Prelude to a Kiss

The song of the day for Tuesday, April 16, 2019, is “Prelude to a Kiss.”

About This Song

Today’s song, “Prelude to a Kiss,” was written in 1938 by Duke Ellington, with lyrics by Irving Gordon and Irving Mills.

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 1999 for his album Bennett Sings Ellington Hot and Cool. Joel Smirnoff is the featured violin soloist for this recording, which was arranged by Jorge Calandrelli.

Prelude To A Kiss

Prelude To A Kiss, a song by Tony Bennett on Spotify

“Prelude to a Kiss,” as well as Bennett Sings Ellington: Hot and Cool, is available from iTunes.

By Leave a Comment

Song of the Day: Boulevard of Broken Dreams

The song of the day for Sunday, January 6, 2019, is “Boulevard of Broken Dreams.”

About This Song

Harry Warren and Al Dubin wrote “Boulevard of Broken Dreams” in 1933 for the movie Moulin Rouge, where it was sung by Constance Bennett. Although numerous artists have recorded “Boulevard of Broken Dreams” (including Bing Crosby 1944), this song is strongly identified with Tony Bennett. In fact, his demo record of “Boulevard of Broken Dreams” was heard by Mitch Miller and got Bennett his first recording contract with Columbia Records.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded this version of “Boulevard of Broken Dreams” for his 1990 album Astoria: Portrait of the Artist. Jorge Calendrelli wrote the arrangement.

The Boulevard of Broken Dreams

The Boulevard of Broken Dreams, a song by Tony Bennett on Spotify

“Boulevard of Broken Dreams,” as well as Astoria: Portrait of the Artist, is available from iTunes.

By Leave a Comment

Song of the Day: Don’t Like Goodbyes

The song of the day for Sunday, July 1, 2018 is “Don’t Like Goodbyes.”

About This Song

“Don’t Like Goodbyes” was written by Harold Arlen and Truman Capote in 1954 for the Broadway musical House of Flowers, based on Capote’s novella of the same name. The song was introduced by Pearl Bailey. While the musical was not well-reviewed, the Arlen-Capote score is quite wonderful, including not only today’s song but the exquisite “A Sleepin’ Bee,” which Tony Bennett has recorded twice (in 1959 for Tony Sings For Two and at the 1962 Carnegie Hall concert). “Don’t Like Goodbyes” has been recorded by Pearl Bailey, Frank Sinatra and Barbra Streisand.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “Don’t Like Goodbyes” in 2004 for his album The Art of Romance. The arrangement is by Jorge Calandrelli.

Don"t Like Goodbyes

Listen to Don"t Like Goodbyes on Spotify. Song · Tony Bennett · 2004


“Don’t Like Goodbyes,” as well as The Art of Romance, is available from iTunes.

By Leave a Comment

Song of the Day: I Got Lost in Her Arms

The song of the day for Friday, June 15, 2018 is “I Got Lost in Her Arms.”

About This Song

Today’s song is from Irving Berlin’s wonderful 1946 musical Annie Get Your Gun, which starred Ethel Merman and Ray Middleton. The song’s actual title is “I Got Lost in His Arms” and was introduced by Miss Merman.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “I Got Lost in Her Arms” in 1986 for his album The Art of Excellence. The very nice arrangement is by Jorge Calandrelli.

I Got Lost In Her Arms

Listen to I Got Lost In Her Arms on Spotify. Song · Tony Bennett · 1986


“I Got Lost in Her Arms,” as well as The Art of Excellence, is available from iTunes.

By Leave a Comment

Song of the Day: I’ve Come Home Again

The song of the day for Thanksgiving Day, November 23, 2017 is “I’ve Come Home Again.”

About This Song

This song was written in 1989 by New York cabaret artist Charles DeForest for Tony Bennett to record for Astoria: Portrait of the Artist. DeForest got his professional start as a singer for the Benny Goodman Orchestra, but soon set out on his own as a performer in piano bars and cabarets in Manhattan. He won several awards for his cabaret work, including those from the Manhattan Association of Cabarets in 1994 and 1996 and the Mabel Mercer Foundation in 1992.

About This Version

Tony Bennett sings “I’ve Come Home Again,” recorded in 1989 for his autobiographical album Astoria: Portrait of the Artist. The arrangement is by Jorge Calandrelli.

The Year of Tony Bennett wishes you a very happy Thanksgiving.

I"ve Come Home Again

Listen to I"ve Come Home Again on Spotify. Song · Tony Bennett · 1990


“I’ve Come Home Again,” as well as Astoria: Portrait of the Artist, is available from iTunes.