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The Year of Tony Bennett

An Appreciation of the Art and Music of Tony Bennett

April 21, 2022 By Suzanne Leave a Comment

Song of the Day: Fascinating Rhythm

The song of the day for Friday, April 22, 2022, is “Fascinating Rhythm.”

About This Song

“Fascinating Rhythm” was written by George and Ira Gershwin in 1924 for the Broadway musical Lady Be Good. It was introduced by Cliff Edwards and Fred and Adele Astaire. The Astaires also recorded the song in 1926 with Gershwin on piano. “Fascinating Rhythm” was and still is, a jazz number. For that reason, it has never been out of favor with jazz artists, both vocal and instrumental.

About This Version

Tony Bennett, singing as Joe Bari, recorded “Fascinating Rhythm,” along with “Vieni Qui,” on a 2-sided 78 rpm record on the Leslie Records label. While the record “went absolutely nowhere” (Tony’s description) it was a big deal for Bennett to have made the record at all and served as a great demo disk for the young singer. The record did go somewhere: Mitch Miller, producer for Columbia Records, heard “Fascinating Rhythm,” along with a recording made later that year “Boulevard of Broken Dreams” and decided to sign Bennett to Columbia in 1950. This song, as well as many of Bennett’s very early recordings, is collected on Rarities, Outtakes & Other Delights, Vol. 1.

“Fascinating Rhythm,” as well as the rest of the songs on Rarities, Outtakes & Other Delights, Vol. 1 is available on Apple Music.

Filed Under: Song of the Day Tagged With: George Gershwin, Ira Gershwin, Leslie Records, Tony Bennett

March 15, 2019 By Suzanne Leave a Comment

Song of the Day: Fascinatin’ Rhythm

The song of the day for Saturday, March 16, 2019, is “Fascinatin’ Rhythm.”

About This Song

Written by George and Ira Gershwin in 1924 for the Broadway musical Lady Be Good, “Fascinating Rhythm” was introduced by Cliff Edwards and Fred and Adele Astaire. The Astaires also recorded the song in 1926 with Gershwin on piano. “Fascinating Rhythm” was and still is, a jazz number. For that reason, it has never been out of favor with jazz artists, both vocal and instrumental.

About This Version

Tony Bennett, then known as Joe Bari, recorded “Fascinatin’ Rhythm” in 1949 for Leslie Records. The flip side was the Italian song “Vieni Qui.” This was his first professional recording.

Fascinatin’ Rhythm – 2011 Remaster

Fascinatin’ Rhythm – 2011 Remaster, a song by Tony Bennett on Spotify

“Fascinatin’ Rhythm,” as well as Rarities, Outtakes & Other Delights, Vol. 1, is available from iTunes.

About Today

We started today’s post with Tony’s first recording of “Fascinatin’ Rhythm.” We end with a video of his most recent recording, from his 2018 album with Diana Krall: Love Is Here To Stay. They are accompanied by the very fine Bill Charlap Trio.

Tony Bennett, Diana Krall – Fascinating Rhythm

Listen to “Fascinatin’ Rhythm” off Tony Bennett & Diana Krall’s new album ‘Love Is Here To Stay” HERE: https://Verve.lnk.to/LoveIsHereToStay Official Music Video for “Fascinatin’ Rhythm” An unprecedented union of the two greatest living jazz singers, ‘Love Is Here To Stay’ celebrates Gershwin’s 120th anniversary with a new recording of timeless American popular standards and jazz repertoire.

Filed Under: Song of the Day Tagged With: Diana Krall, George Gershwin, Ira Gershwin, Joe Bari, Leslie Records, Love is Here to Stay, Tony Bennett

August 31, 2016 By Suzanne Leave a Comment

Song of the Day: Fascinatin’ Rhythm

The song of the day for Thursday, September 1, 2016 is “Fascinating Rhythm.”

About This Song

George and Ira Gershwin wrote “Fascinatin’ Rhythm” in 1924 for the Broadway musical Lady Be Good, “Fascinatin’ Rhythm” was introduced by Cliff Edwards and Fred and Adele Astaire. The Astaires also recorded the song in 1926 with Gershwin on piano. “Fascinatin’ Rhythm” was, and still is, a jazz number. For that reason, it has never been out of favor with jazz artists, both vocal and instrumental.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “Fascinatin’ Rhythm” in April 1949 for Leslie Records. It was released on a 78 rpm record with the song “Vieni Qui.” This 78 is, I believe, Tony Bennett’s first commercial recording.

Fascinatin" Rhythm

Listen to Fascinatin" Rhythm on Spotify. Tony Bennett · Song · 2012.


“Fascinatin’ Rhythm,” as well as all of the treats on Rarities, Outtakes and Other Delights, Vol. 1, is available from iTunes.

Filed Under: Song of the Day Tagged With: George Gershwin, Ira Gershwin, Leslie Records

September 2, 2015 By Suzanne Leave a Comment

Song of the Day: Vieni Qui (Come To Me)

The song of the day for Wednesday, September 2, 2015 is “Vieni Qui (Come To Me).”

About This Song

Not much is known about this song, save that it was composed by George Simon with lyrics by Joe Ricardel.

About This Version

“Vieni Qui” was recorded in April, 1949 for Leslie Records and was released that year as a 78 RPM single, with “Fascinating Rhythm” on the other side. “Vieni Qui” was released in 2011 on Rarities, Outtakes & Other Delights, Vol. 1. Bennett, singing as Joe Bari, sang with Pat Easton for this number.

Vieni Qui (Come to Me)

Listen to Vieni Qui (Come to Me) on Spotify. Tony Bennett · Song · 2012.


“Vieni Qui,” as well as all of the songs on Rarities, Outtakes & Other Delights, Vol. 1, is available from iTunes.

Filed Under: Song of the Day Tagged With: 1949, George Simon, Joe Ricardel, Leslie Records, Pat Easton

January 7, 2013 By Suzanne 1 Comment

Song of the Day: The Boulevard Of Broken Dreams

As we continue with The Tony Bennett 1950s Hit Parade, the song of the day for Monday, January 7, 2012 is The Boulevard of Broken Dreams.

About The Boulevard of Broken Dreams

The Boulevard of Broken Dreams was written in 1933 by Harry Warren, with lyrics by Al Dubin. The song was written with for the 1934 film, Moulin Rouge, and the song, as well as the film, was set in Paris. It was first sung in the film by Constance Bennett; the first recording was made by Deane Janis with Hal Kemp’s orchestra in 1933. Significant recordings include those by Bing Crosby and an instrumental version by Art Tatum.

About This Version

Like the version of Fascinatin’ Rhythm we featured a few weeks ago, The Boulevard of Broken Dreams was first recorded as a demonstration disc by Leslie Records in 1949. Unfortunately, no recordings of this demo disc still exist.

This recording is the song that got Tony Bennett his contract with Columbia in 1950. Mitch Miller had heard the recording and offered a contract to Mr. Bennett, sight unseen.

This version was recorded in April, 1950 and was released in May of the same year. It was arranged and conducted by Marty Manning and produced by Mitch Miller.

The Boulevard of Broken Dreams

Listen to The Boulevard of Broken Dreams on Spotify. Tony Bennett · Song · 2011.

The Boulevard of Broken Dreams, as well as the full Columbia Singles: Volume 1, is available from iTunes.

Filed Under: Song of the Day Tagged With: Al Dubin, Harry Warren, Leslie Records, Marty Manning, Mitch Miller

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