The Year of Tony Bennett

An Appreciation of the Art and Music of Tony Bennett

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Tony Live! Moonglow

The song of the day for Saturday, September 12, 2020, is “Moonglow.”

About This Song

“Moonglow” was written in 1933 by Will Hudson and Irving Mills, with lyrics by Eddie DeLange. It’s been a popular song since it was written. The first recordings were by Joe Venuti and His Orchesta, Ethel Waters, and The Benny Goodman Orchestra. Later recordings include those by Billie Holiday and Artie Shaw.

About This Version

Tony Bennett and guest k.d. lang recorded “Moonglow” in 1994 for Bennett’s MTV Unplugged live performance. This led to a long-term collaboration of the two singers, including one of my favorites, A Wonderful World, consisting of songs associated with Louis Armstrong.

“Moonglow,” as well as MTV Unplugged, is available from Apple Music.

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Song of the Day: Because of You

The song of the day for Thursday, January 23, 2020, is “Because of You.”

About This Song

“Because of You” was written in 1940 by Arthur Hammerstein and Dudley Wilkinson.

About This Version

It was Spring 1951. Tony had been told that he would need a real breakthrough recording or he might be dropped from his contract with Columbia. He was preparing for a recording session with Percy Faith. They had three songs planned, but need a fourth. Percy grabbed the sheet music for “Because of You” from the pile on his piano. And, well, the rest was history. After a slow start, “Because of You” was Bennett’s first song to hit #1 on the charts, thanks in large part to fans playing it on jukeboxes and calling radio stations to play that new song from Tony Bennett. It spent 10 weeks at the top of the charts and charted for 32 weeks and sold over a million copies.

Today, I’ve chosen his recording of this song with k. d. lang on the 2006 album Duets: An American Classic. I love the way Bennett’s and lang’s voice blend so beautifully in their duet recordings. This is one of the best of them.

“Because of You,” as well as Duets: An American Classic, is available from iTunes.

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Song of the Day: What a Wonderful World

The song of the day for Monday, August 5, 2019, is “What a Wonderful World.”

About This Song

“What a Wonderful World” was written in 1967 by Bob Thiele (as George Douglas) and George David Weiss. Written at a time of great political and racial unrest in America, “What A Wonderful World” was a kind, gentle, and positive song that was very well received. Louis Armstrong recorded it first and it was a big hit for him, selling over a million singles. Even though this song has been recorded by many fine artists, including Tony Bennett, it remains closely identified with Louis Armstrong.

About This Version

Tony Bennett and k.d. lang recorded “What a Wonderful World” in 2002 for their duet album A Wonderful World. The album won the Grammy Award for Best Traditional Pop Vocal Album.

We are featuring this song in honor of Louis Armstrong, who was born on August 4, 1901. It’s always tough the first of August to schedule it all in, as Tony’s birthday is on August 3. I hope you’ll forgive me for being a day late.

What a Wonderful World

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“What a Wonderful World,” as well as A Wonderful World, is available from iTunes.

I found this lovely video of Louis Armstrong singing today’s song. I’m pretty sure you’ll love it.

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Song of the Day: A Kiss To Build A Dream On

The song of the day for Thursday, July 25, 2019, is “A Kiss To Build A Dream On.”

About This Song

“A Kiss To Build A Dream On” was written in 1935 by Bert Kalmer, Harry Ruby, and Oscar Hammerstein. It was recorded by Louis Armstrong in 1951. The song was also performed by Armstrong in the 1951 movie The Strip, which was also sung by Mickey Rooney, William Demarest, and other members of the cast.

About This Version

Tony Bennett and k.d.lang recorded “A Kiss To Build A Dream On” in 2002 for their album of songs made famous by Louis Armstrong: A Wonderful World.

A Kiss to Build a Dream On

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“A Kiss To Build A Dream On,” as well as A Wonderful World, is available from iTunes.

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Playlist of the Week: Tony Sings With the Ladies, Part 1

The playlist of the week of June 30, 2019, is Tony Sings With the Ladies, Part 1.

Tony Sings With the Ladies, Part 1

This week’s playlist features some of Tony’s duets with female singers.

“Lullaby of Broadway” with the Dixie Chicks, from Duets: An American Classic

“I’m Confessin’ (That I Love You)” with k.d. lang, from A Wonderful World

“Body and Soul” with Amy Winehouse, from Duets II

“They Can’t Take That Away From Me” with Diana Krall, from Love Is Here To Stay

“But Beautiful” with Lady Gaga, from Cheek to Cheek

“Stormy Weather” with Natalie Cole, from Playin’ With My Friends

“Who Can I Turn To (When Nobody Needs Me)” with Queen Latifah, from Duets II

“I Gotta Right To Sing The Blues” with Bonnie Raitt, from Playin’ With My Friends

“Anything Goes+ with Lady Gaga, from Cheek to Cheek

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