The Year of Tony Bennett

An Appreciation of the Art and Music of Tony Bennett

By Leave a Comment

Song of the Day: I Wonder

The song of the day for Tuesday, November 26, 2024, is “I Wonder.”

About This Song

“I Wonder” was written in 1944 by Cecil Gant and Raymond Leveen. Gant, made the first recording while still serving in the Army just at the end of World War II, recorded as Pvt. Cecil Gant; the recording moved easily to #1 on Juke Box Race charts. In 1945, the Roosevelt Sykes recording replaced the Gant version as #1. Louis Armstrong recorded “I Wonder” in 1945, which reached #3 on the Juke Box chart. Aretha Franklin also recorded the song in 1967.

About This Version

Tony Bennett and k.d. lang recorded “I Wonder” in March 2002 for their album A Wonderful World. Vocal arrangements were made by Rob Mathes. The album was orchestrated and conducted by Peter Matz, with musical direction and arrangements by Lee Musiker.

“I Wonder,” as well as A Wonderful World, is available on Apple Music.

By Leave a Comment

Song of the Day: Dream a Little Dream of Me

The song of the day for Monday, September 16, 2024, is “Dream a Little Dream of Me.”

About This Song

“Dream a Little Dream of Me” was written in 1931 by Fabian Andre and Wilbur Schwandt, with lyrics by Gus Kahn. It was first recorded in 1931 by Ozzie Nelson and also by Wayne King and His Orchestra, The song has remained popular over the decades, with recordings by Kate Smith, Frankie Laine, Ella Fitzgerald, Dinah Shore, Doris Day, and even The Mamas and The Papas, with Mama Cass. Louis Armstrong first recorded the song in 1950.

About This Version

Tony Bennett and k.d. lang recorded “Dream a Little Dream of Me” in March 2002 for their album A Wonderful World. Vocal arrangements were by Rob Mathes. The album was orchestrated and conducted by Peter Matz, with musical direction and arrangements by Lee Musiker.

“Dream a Little Dream of Me,” as well as A Wonderful World, is available on Apple Music.

Here’s that Louis Armstrong recording:

By Leave a Comment

Song of the Day: All In Fun

The song of the day for Thursday, August 15, 2024, is “All In Fun.”

About This Song

“All In Fun” was written by Jerome Kern and Oscar Hammerstein for the 1939 Broadway musical Very Warm For May. Though the show was not well-reviewed, the score contained some wonderful songs including this one and “All The Things You Are.”

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “All In Fun” in 2004 for his album The Art of Romance. Lee Musiker wrote the arrangement.

“All In Fun,” as well as The Art of Romance, is available on Apple Music.

By Leave a Comment

Song of the Day: You Can’t Lose A Broken Heart

The song of the day for Sunday, August 4, 2024, is “You Can’t Lose A Broken Heart.”

About This Song

“You Can’t Lose A Broken Heart” was written in 1931 by James P. Johnson and Flournoy Earkin Miller for the 1931 revue Sugar Hill. Louis Armstrong and Billie Holiday recorded “You Can’t Lose A Broken Heart” as a duet with Sy Oliver and His Orchestra in 1949 on the Decca label.

About This Version

Tony Bennett and k.d. lang recorded “You Can’t Lose A Broken Heart” in March 2002 for their duet album, A Wonderful World. Vocal arrangements were by Rob Mathes. The album was orchestrated and conducted by Peter Matz, with musical direction and arrangements by Lee Musiker.

“You Can’t Lose A Broken Heart,” as well as A Wonderful World, is available on Apple Music.

Here’s that Louis Armstrong and Billie Holiday recording of today’s song from 1949:

By Leave a Comment

Song of the Day: Little Did I Dream

The song of the day for Wednesday, May 15, 2024, is “Little Did I Dream.”

About This Song

“Little Did I Dream” was written by Johnny Mandel and Dave Frishberg in 2003. Mandel’s melody was based on song Mandel wrote in 1950 called “Hershey Bar,” that was first recorded by The Stan Getz Quartet.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “Little Did I Dream” in 2004 for The Art of Romance. Lee Musiker, Bennett’s pianist and musical director, wrote the arrangement; Johnny Mandel conducted the orchestra.

The Art of Romance won the 2006 Grammy Award for Best Traditional Pop Vocal Album.

“Little Did I Dream,” as well as The Art of Romance, is available on Apple Music.

Subscribe to The Year of Tony Bennett

Enter your email address to subscribe to this blog and receive notifications of new posts by email.

Current Reader Favorites