The Year of Tony Bennett

An Appreciation of the Art and Music of Tony Bennett

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Song of the Day: Lost in the Stars

The song of the day for Tuesday, January 12, 2021, is “Lost in the Stars.”

About This Song

“Lost in the Stars” is from the 1949 musical of the same name, based on the 1948 novel by Alan Paton, Cry, the Beloved Country. Kurt Weill wrote the score, with lyrics by Maxwell Anderson. Set in South Africa in an era when apartheid seemed as if it would never end, the plot concerns a black priest whose son, in a robbery attempt, kills a white man who is a friend of his father. The priest sings this song at the end of the first act, in a complete crisis of faith.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “Lost in the Stars” for his second album, Tony, released in 1957. The very fine arrangement was written by Percy Faith.

Lost In the Stars

Listen to Lost In the Stars on Spotify. Song · Tony Bennett · 1957

“Lost in the Stars,” as well as Tony, is available from Apple Music.

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Song of the Day: My Ship

The song of the day for Tuesday, December 8, 2020, is “My Ship.”

About This Song

“My Ship” was written by Kurt Weill, with lyrics by Ira Gershwin, for the 1941 Broadway musical Lady in the Dark. Miles Davis’ recording in 1957, along with vocal versions by Jeri Southern and Sarah Vaughan, cemented this song as a jazz standard.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “My Ship” for his 1961 album My Heart Sings. Ralph Burns wrote the arrangements for the album and conducted the big band.

“My Ship,” as well as My Heart Sings, is available from Apple Music.

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Tony Live! Speak Low

The song of the day for Sunday, July 12, 2020, is “Speak Low.”

About This Song

“Speak Low” was written by Kurt Weill and Ogden Nash for the 1943 musical One Touch of Venus, where it was introduced by Mary Martin and Kenny Baker. In addition to several very fine Tony Bennett recordings, “Speak Low” has been widely recorded by jazz and popular performers, including Ella Fitzgerald, Billie Holiday, and Lena Horne.

About This Version

This version is from Tony’s 1994 MTV Unplugged program. This is my favorite of all of his recordings of “Speak Low.” It is hip and very cool–a perfect jazz performance.

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

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Song of the Day: Lost in the Stars

The song of the day for Thursday, June 4, 2020, is “Lost in the Stars.”

About This Song

“Lost in the Stars” was written by Kurt Weill and Maxwell Anderson for the 1949 musical of the same name, based on the 1948 novel by Alan Paton, Cry, the Beloved Country. Set in South Africa in an era when apartheid seemed as if it would never end, the plot concerns a black priest whose son, in a robbery attempt, kills a white man who is a friend of his father. The priest sings this song at the end of the first act, in a complete crisis of faith.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “Lost in the Stars” for the first time in 1956 for his second album, Tony. The arrangement was written by Percy Faith.

“Lost in the Stars,” as well as Tony, is available from iTunes.

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Song of the Day: Lost in the Stars

The song of the day for Monday, March 30, 2020, is “Lost in the Stars.”

About This Song

“Lost in the Stars” was written by Kurt Weill and Maxwell Anderson for the 1949 musical of the same name, based on the 1948 novel by Alan Paton, Cry, the Beloved Country. It was set in South Africa in an era when apartheid seemed as if it would never end.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “Lost in the Stars” in 1958 with Count Basie and His Orchestra for the 1958 album, In Person!. Ralph Sharon wrote the very effective arrangement.

“Lost in the Stars,” as well as In Person!, is available from iTunes.

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