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The Year of Tony Bennett

An Appreciation of the Art and Music of Tony Bennett

February 12, 2023 By Suzanne Leave a Comment

Song of the Day: Little Did I Dream

The song of the day for Monday, February 13, 2023, is “Little Did I Dream.”

About This Song

“Little Did I Dream” was written in 2003, with music by Johnny Mandel and lyrics by Dave Frishberg. The song first appeared on Frishberg’s 2003 album Do You Miss New York< Live at Jazz at Lincoln Center.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “Little Did I Dream” in 2004 for The Art of Romance. Lee Musiker wrote the arrangement.

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

Filed Under: Song of the Day Tagged With: Dave Frishberg, Johnny Mandel, Lee Musiker, The Art of Romance, Tony Bennett

February 10, 2023 By Suzanne Leave a Comment

Song of the Day: All In Fun

The song of the day for Saturday, February 11, 2023, is “All In Fun.”

About This Song

“All In Fun” was written in 1939 by Jerome Kern and Oscar Hammerstein for the 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 The Art of Romance. Lee Musiker wrote the arrangement.

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

Filed Under: Song of the Day Tagged With: Jerome Kern, Lee Musiker, Oscar Hammerstein, The Art of Romance, Tony Bennett

February 4, 2023 By Suzanne Leave a Comment

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

The song of the day for Sunday, February 5, 2023, 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. Johnson, a composer who was also known as a Harlem Stride pianist, collaborated with author and producer Miller to produce the Sugar Hill revue in 1931 for this song. 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 the 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 the Louis Armstrong and Billy Holiday 1949 duet of “You Can’t Lose a Broken Heart” on the Decca label:

Filed Under: Song of the Day Tagged With: A Wonderful World, Billie Holiday, Flournoy Earkin Miller, James P. Johnson, k d lang, Lee Musiker, Louis Armstrong, Peter Mathes, Peter Matz, Tony Bennett

February 2, 2023 By Suzanne Leave a Comment

Song of the Day: La Vie En Rose

The song of the day for Friday, February 3, 2023, is “La Vie En Rose.”

About This Song

“La Vie En Rose” was written in 1946 by Marguerite Monnot and Louis Guglielmi (aka Louiguy). Edith Piaf wrote the French lyrics; Mack David wrote the English lyrics.

While now considered one of Edith Piaf’s most identifiable songs (taking second place only to “Non, je ne regrette rein”), this song had a slow and somewhat troubled beginning. The lyric came to Miss Piaf in 1944. She worked with Louiguy on the melody. At the time the song was written, only Louiguy, as neither Piaf or Monnot were qualified to copyright their work under the auspices of Société des auteurs, compositeurs et éditeurs de musique, the official French association. Initially, the song was thought to be weak as compared to the rest of her repertoire and she was encouraged to not sing it at her concerts. She did not sing it publicly until 1946 and it quickly became a favorite of audiences. She finally recorded the song in 1947. “La Vie en Rose” has been widely recorded ever since and used in many films, from Bull Durham to WALL-E. The 2007 film biography of Edith Piaf, which starred Marion Cotillard, was titled La Vie en Rose.

About This Version

Tony Bennett and k.d. lang recorded “La Vie En Rose” in May 2002 for their album Tony Bennett & k.d. lang: A Wonderful World. The album was orchestrated and conducted by Peter Matz; Lee Musiker wrote the arrangements and served as musical director.

“La Vie En Rose,” as well as Tony Bennett & k.d. lang: A Wonderful World is available on Apple Music.

Here’s Armstrong’s 1951 recording:

And here’s Edith Piaf’s 1947 recording:

Filed Under: Song of the Day Tagged With: Edith Piaf, Lee Musiker, Louiguy, Louis Armstrong, Louis Guglielmi, Mack David, Marguerite Monnot, Peter Matz, Tony Bennett & k.d. lang: A Wonderful World

December 22, 2022 By Suzanne Leave a Comment

Song of the Day: O Christmas Tree

The song of the day for Friday, December 23, 2022, the tenth day of The Twelve Days of a Tony Bennett Christmas, is “O Christmas Tree.”

About This Song

Also known as “O Tannenbaum,” this song is based on a 16th century German folk song. Originally, the lyric was not specifically about Christmas, but about the “evergreen” qualities of the fir tree and dealt with faithless love.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “O Christmas Tree” in 2004 and released it in 2008 for A Swingin’ Christmas. It was arranged by Lee Musiker, who also plays, beautifully, the solo piano on the recording.

“O Christmas Tree,” as well as A Swingin’ Christmas is available on Apple Music.

Filed Under: Song of the Day, The 12 Days of a Tony Bennett Christmas Tagged With: A Swingin' Christmas, Lee Musiker, Tony Bennett

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