The Year of Tony Bennett

An Appreciation of the Art and Music of Tony Bennett

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Song of the Day: The Riviera

The song of the day for Thursday, September 23, 2021, is “The Riviera.”

About This Song

“The Riviera” was written in 1956 by Cy Coleman and Joseph McCarthy, Jr. One of Cy Coleman’s early songs, “The Riviera” predates his long association with lyricist Carolyn Leigh. Popular versions of this song are those by Mabel Mercer and Blossom Dearie.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “The Riviera” in 1971 for his album With Love. Robert Farnon wrote the arrangement and conducted the orchestra.

The Riviera

Listen to The Riviera on Spotify. Song · Tony Bennett · 1972

“The Riviera,” as well as With Love is available on Apple Music.

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Song of the Day: Cloudy Morning

The song of the day for Wednesday, July 18, 2018 is “Cloudy Morning.”

About This Song

“Cloudy Morning” was written in 1958 by Marvin Fisher and Joseph McCarthy, Jr. This song has been recorded by some of America’s greatest female singers including Julie London, Peggy Lee and Carmen McRae.

About This Version

Tony Bennett released a really wonderful album in 1995 called Here’s To The Ladies. In this album, Bennett honors the 20th century’s greatest female singers by singing songs associated with them: from “People” for Barbra Streisand to “Moonlight in Vermont” for Margaret Whiting and many more. “Cloud Morning” was for Carmen McRae, who recording “Cloudy Morning” with George Shearing for their lovely duet album Two For The Road, released in 1980.

Cloudy Morning

Listen to Cloudy Morning on Spotify. Song · Tony Bennett · 1995


“Cloudy Morning,” as well as Here’s To The Ladies, is available from iTunes.

Here are Carmen McRae and George Shearing.

Cloudy Morning

Listen to Cloudy Morning on Spotify. Song · George Shearing, Carmen McRae · 1980

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Song of the Day: The Riviera

The song of the day for Tuesday, August 22, 2016 is “The Riviera.”

About This Song

“The Riviera” is one of Cy Coleman’s early songs, written in 1956 with lyrics by Joseph McCarthy, Jr. Popular versions of this song are those by Mabel Mercer and Blossom Dearie.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “The Riviera” in 1971 for his album With Love. The arrangement came from Robert Farnon.

The Riviera

Listen to The Riviera on Spotify. Song · Tony Bennett · 1972


“The Riviera,” as well as With Love, is available from iTunes.

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