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The Year of Tony Bennett

An Appreciation of the Art and Music of Tony Bennett

July 21, 2025 By Suzanne Leave a Comment

Song of the Day: How Do You Keep The Music Playing?

The song of the day for Monday, July 21, 2025, is “How Do You Keep The Music Playing?”.

About This Song

“How Do You Keep The Music Playing?” was written by Michel Legrand, Alan Bergman, and Marilyn Bergman for the 1982 movie Best Friends, which starred Burt Reynolds and Goldie Hawn. The initial recording was a duet by Patti Austin and James Ingram, which became a hit single in 1983. It was one of three songs with lyrics by Alan and Marilyn Bergman that were nominated that year for an Academy Award for Best Song (though the award went to “Up Where We Belong” from the movie An Officer and a Gentleman). The song has become a popular standard and has had many fine recordings, including those by Frank Sinatra (who encouraged Bennett to sing this song), Frankie Laine, Tony Bennett, Tony Bennett and George Michael and, most recently, Tony Bennett and Aretha Franklin.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded this version of “How Do You Keep The Music Playing?” on January 10, 1986, for his album The Art of Excellence. Jorge Calandrelli wrote the arrangement and conducted the orchestra.

“How Do You Keep The Music Playing?” as well as The Art of Excellence, is available on Apple Music.

Filed Under: Song of the Day Tagged With: Alan Bergman, Best Friends, Jorge Calandrelli, Marilyn Bergman, Michel Legrand, The Art of Excellence, Tony Bennett

July 12, 2025 By Suzanne Leave a Comment

Song of the Day: The Folks That Live On The Hill

The song of the day for Saturday, July 12, 2025, is “The Folks That Live On The Hill.”

About Today

The Year of Tony Bennett honors Oscar Hammerstein on the anniversary of his birth 130 years ago on July 12, 1985. In addition his work as a lyricist for Jerome Kern (with whom he wrote today’s song) and Richard Rodgers, he was also a theatre director and producer. He was was a mentor to the teen-age Stephen Sondheim.

About This Song

“The Folks That Live On The Hill” was written by Jerome Kern and Oscar Hammerstein for the 1937 movie High, Wide, and Handsome, where it was introduced by Irene Dunne. Bing Crosby recorded it that same year. Peggy Lee recorded it 1957 for her album The Man I Love, conducted by Frank Sinatra. Other recordings include those by Diana Krall, Jo Stafford, and Nina Simone.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “The Folks That Live On The Hill” on May 18, 1989, for <em>Astoria: Portrait of the Artist, released in 1990. Jorge Calandrelli wrote the arrangement and conducted the orchestra.

“The Folks That Live On The Hill,” as well as , is available on Apple Music.

Filed Under: Song of the Day Tagged With: Astoria: Portrait of the Artist, Happy Birthday Oscar Hammerstein, Jerome Kern, Jorge Calandrelli, Oscar Hammerstein, Tony Bennett

July 7, 2025 By Suzanne Leave a Comment

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).

Filed Under: Song of the Day Tagged With: Billie Holiday, Harold Arlen, Jorge Calandrelli, Ted Koehler, Tony Bennett, Tony Bennett On Holiday

July 5, 2025 By Suzanne Leave a Comment

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.

Filed Under: Song of the Day Tagged With: Arthur Schwartz, Howard Dietz, Jorge Calandrelli, The Art of Excellence, Tony Bennett

June 30, 2025 By Suzanne Leave a Comment

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.)

Filed Under: Song of the Day Tagged With: Andy Razaf, Fats Waller, Jorge Calandrelli, Lena Horne, Thomas "Fats" Waller, Tony Bennett

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