The Year of Tony Bennett

An Appreciation of the Art and Music of Tony Bennett

By Leave a Comment

Song of the Day: O Christmas Tree

Today is the eighth day of The Twelve Days of a Tony Bennett Christmas.
The song of the day for Wednesday, December 21, 2016 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 faithful love.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “O Christmas Tree” for his 2008 album A Swingin’ Christmas. This version was arranged and accompanied by Lee Musiker.

O Christmas Tree (feat. Count Basie Big Band)

Listen to O Christmas Tree (feat. Count Basie Big Band) on Spotify. Song · Tony Bennett, Count Basie Big Band · 2008


“O Christmas Tree,” as well as A Swingin’ Christmas, is available from iTunes.

By Leave a Comment

Song of the Day: All In Fun

The song of the day for Thursday, January 28, 2016 is “All In Fun.”

About This Song

“All In Fun” was written by Jerome Kern and Oscar Hammerstein II 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 wonderful album The Art of Romance. I fell in love with Tony Bennett when I first heard this album. I given this album to friends and they’ve fallen in love as well. The album explores the nature and arc of romance, from beginning to end. The album is warm, funny, gorgeous, sad and gloriously happy. Kind of like romance. “All In Fun” was arranged by Lee Musiker.

All In Fun

Listen to All In Fun on Spotify. Song · Tony Bennett · 2004


“All In Fun,” as well as The Art of Romance, is available from iTunes.

By Leave a Comment

Song of the Day: Dream a Little of Me

The song of the day for Monday, November 2, 2015 is “Dream a Little of Me.”

About This Song

Today’s song, “Dream a Little Dream of Me,” was written in 1931, with music by Fabian Andre and Wilbur Schwandt and 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.

About This Version

Tony Bennett and k.d. lang recorded “Dream a Little of Me” in March 2002 for their album Tony Bennett and k.d. lang: A Wonderful World. The album was arranged by Lee Musiker, who also led the quartet with Gray Sargent on guitar, Paul Langosch on bass and Clayton Cameron on drums.

This album was the first Tony Bennett I ever bought (yes, I know I was late to the party), mainly because I was a big k.d. lang fan. I fell in love with Tony Bennett about half-way through the first song. This is a lovely album, devoted to songs sung by the great Louis Armstrong, who first recorded this song in 1950.

Dream a Little Dream of Me

Listen to Dream a Little Dream of Me on Spotify. Song · Tony Bennett, k.d. lang · 2002


“Dream a Little of Me,” as well as A Wonderful World, is available from iTunes.

By 1 Comment

Song of the Day: Being Alive

The song of the day for Sunday, March 22, 2015 is “Being Alive.”

About This Song

Being Alive” is the closing song in the 1970 Stephen Sondheim musical Company, which ran on Broadway for 705 performances (one of which was attended by your author; it was her first ever Broadway musical). Company was nominated for fourteen Tony Awards and won six, including Best Musical, Best Direction of a Musical (Hal Prince), Best Book of a Musical (George Furth), Best Original Music and Best Original Lyrics as well as Best Scenic Design (Boris Aronson). D.A. Pennebaker made a documentary of the recording of the original cast album, recorded by Columbia Records at the 30th Street Studio, that was released in 2006.

About This Version

This version of Being Alive was recorded for the 2004 The Art of Romance. For my money, I think The Art of Romance may be one of Mr. Bennett’s best-conceived albums. When listened to as a whole, it’s a remarkable emotional roller coaster about all aspects of love and romance. “Being Alive” has a similar placement in this album as it does in Company, the next-to-the last song, where the protagonist realizes that in order to be fully and totally alive, he must give himself up to love. In many ways, “Being Alive” is the next step after “The Good Life” in realizing what’s really important in life.

Being Alive was arranged by Lee Musiker and features Phil Woods on saxophone and Candido Camero on conga (Candido was featured on Mr. Bennett’s 1957 Beat of My Heart and also performed with Mr. Bennett at the 1962 Carnegie Hall concert).

About Today

The Year of Tony Bennett wishes Stephen Sondheim a very happy 85th birthday today. Not a day goes by that I don’t think of at least one of his songs from one of his scores. And I carry the last line from Sunday In The Park With George with me every day as well:

White. A blank page or canvas. His favorite. So many possibilities.

Being Alive

Listen to Being Alive on Spotify. Song · Tony Bennett · 2004


“Being Alive,” as well as The Art of Romance, is available from iTunes.

By Leave a Comment

Song of the Day: Being Alive

The song of the day for Sunday, May 26, 2013 is Being Alive.

About This Song

Being Alive is from Stephen Sondheim’s 1970 musical, Company. This production of Company has always been very special to your author. It was my first Broadway musical, my first trip to New York and my introduction to Elaine Stritch.

Robert, the only single man in a group of married couples, sings Being Alive at the end of show as he finally realizes that in order to really be alive, he must share that life with someone.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded Being Alive in 2004 for his wonderful album The Art of Romance.

The song was arranged by Lee Musiker, Tony Bennett’s musical director and pianist. We chose this song today as May 26 is Lee’s birthday.

Happy Birthday, Lee, from The Year of Tony Bennett.

Being Alive

Listen to Being Alive on Spotify. Song · Tony Bennett · 2004

Being Alive, as well as The Art of Romance, is available from iTunes.