The Year of Tony Bennett

An Appreciation of the Art and Music of Tony Bennett

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Song of the Day: There’ll Be Some Changes Made

The song of the day for Thursday, December 31, 2020, is “There’ll Be Some Changes Made.”

About This Song

“There’ll Be Some Changes Made” was written in 1921, with music by Benton Overstreet and lyrics by Billy Higgins, two African-American vaudeville performers. Ethel Waters had a hit recording of this song in late 1921; other early recordings include those by Marion Harris, Josie Miles, Fats Waller, and the Chicago Rhythm Kings. Later recordings include those by Billy Holiday, Peggy Lee, and Tony Bennett. Even western singers have been drawn to the song by artists including Chet Atkins, Bob Wills and His Texas Playboys, and Pee Wee Russell’s Rhythmakers.

I cannot think of a better song to end the year 2020.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “There’ll Be Some Changes Made” in 1975 for his album Tony Bennett Sings Life Is Beautiful. Torrie Zito wrote the arrangement.

There"ll Be Some Changes Made

Listen to There"ll Be Some Changes Made on Spotify. Tony Bennett · Song · 2004.

“There’ll Be Some Changes Made,” as well as The Complete Improv Recordings, is available from Apple Music.

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Song of the Day: As Time Goes By

The song of the day for Wednesday, April 15, 2015 is “As Time Goes By.”

About This Song

“As Time Goes By” was written for the 1931 Broadway musical Everybody’s Welcome by Herman Hupfeld. It was a modest hit, with recordings by Rudy Vallee and Binnie Hale. All that changed in 1942, when it was sung by Dooley Wilson in the film Casablanca. Not only was “As Time Goes By” sung; it was a major point plot, as Rick (Humphrey Bogart) has told his pianist Sam (Dooley Wilson) to never ever play that song. Until Rick’s long-lost love, Ilsa (Ingrid Bergman) comes to Casablanca and Rick’s American Bar asks Sam to play the song. The song provides one of the most misquoted lines in all of film. Bogart never says “play it again, Sam.” He says “if she can stand it, so can I. Play it Sam. Play ‘As Time Goes By.’” The American Film Institute named “As Time Goes By” the second most important song in film, second only to “Over The Rainbow.” Note that Tony Bennett sings the verse for this song, which has seldom been heard, especially since the release of the film Casablanca.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “As Time Goes By” for his first album released on his own Improv label in 1972: Life Is Beautiful. He is accompanied by the Torrie Zito Trio, with Zito on piano, John Guiffrida on bass and Chuck Hughes on drums. The album is currently available as part of the The Complete Improv Recordings collection.

About Today

I recently watched Casablanca on television (thanks to the wonderful Turner Classic Movies network) and was reminded, once again what a wonderful film it is and how much I love this song.

As Time Goes By

Listen to As Time Goes By on Spotify. Tony Bennett · Song · 2004.


“As Time Goes By,” as well as The Complete Improv Recordings, is available from iTunes.

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Song of the Day: Reflections

The song of the day for Tuesday, June 17, 2014 is “Reflections.”

About This Song

The music for “Reflections” was written by Duke Ellington as a piano solo titled “Reflections in D” in 1953. The lyrics, written by Milton Raskin and Marjorie Houseman, were added later.

The piano solo was recorded by Bill Evans in 1978 at a concert at Carnegie Hall, released that year on the album New Conversations.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “Reflections” for the first album released on his own Improv label, Life Is Beautiful. It was arranged by Torrie Zito and features Zito on piano, Chuck Hughes on drums and John Guiffrida on bass.

http://open.spotify.com/track/6gRs3mGqP2QjF6sZ5Uz4Y4
“Reflections,” as well as all of the songs collected on The Complete Improv Recordings, is available from iTunes.

And, if you’re interested, here is Ellington playing it himself, as recorded in April, 1953. It’s a beautiful piano solo by a great artist.

Reflections In D

Listen to Reflections In D on Spotify. Duke Ellington · Song · 1989.

And, finally, Bill Evans from 1978 on New Conversations.

Reflections In D

Listen to Reflections In D on Spotify. Bill Evans · Song · 1978.

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Song of the Day: There’ll Be Some Changes Made

The song of the day for Tuesday, May 13, 2014 is “There’ll Be Some Changes Made.”

About This Song

“There’ll Be Some Changes Made” was written in 1921, with music by Benton Overstreet and lyrics by Billy Higgins, two African-American vaudeville performers. Ethel Waters had a hit recording of this song in late 1921; other early recordings include those by Marion Harris, Josie Miles, Fats Waller, and the Chicago Rhythm Kings. Later recordings include those by Billy Holiday, Peggy Lee and Tony Bennett. Even western singers have been drawn to the song by artists including Chet Atkins, Bob Wills and His Texas Playboys and Pee Wee Russell’s Rhythmakers.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “There’ll Be Some Changes Made” in 1975 for his album Tony Bennett Sings Life Is Beautiful. The really great arrangement is by Torrie Zito; Chuck Hughes on drums and John Guiffrida on bass rounded out the trio with Zito on piano.

http://open.spotify.com/track/10d0wvVE4nBjltj0K26gni
“There’ll Be Some Changes Made,” as well as The Complete Improv Recordings, is available from iTunes.

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Song of the Day: As Time Goes By

The song of the day for Sunday, January 12, 2014 is “As Time Goes By.”

About This Song

“As Time Goes By” was written for the 1931 Broadway musical Everybody’s Welcome by Herman Hupfeld. It was a modest hit, with recordings by Rudy Vallee and Binnie Hale. All that changed in 1942, when it was sung by Dooley Wilson in the film Casablanca. Not only was “As Time Goes By” sung; it was a major point plot, as Rick (Humphrey Bogart) had told his pianist Sam (Dooley Wilson) to never ever play that song. Until Rick’s long-lost love, Ilsa (Ingrid Bergman) comes to Casablanca and Rick’s American Bar and asks Sam to play the song. The song provides one of the most misquoted lines in all of film. Bogart never says “play it again, Sam.” He says “if she can stand it, so can I. Play it Sam. Play ‘As Time Goes By.’” The American Film Institute named “As Time Goes By” the second most important song in film, second only to “Over The Rainbow.”

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “As Time Goes By” from his 1975 album Life Is Beautiful. Note that Tony Bennett sings the verse for this song, which has seldom been heard, especially since the release of the film Casablanca. The lovely arrangement is by Torrie Zito and Bennett accompanied by the Torrie Zito Trio, with Zito on piano, John Guiffrida on bass and Chuck Hughes on drums. The songs from this album, as well as Bennett’s two Rodgers and Hart albums, the two albums with Bill Evans (including many alternate takes) and a live performance with Jimmy and Marian McPartland are collected in The Complete Improv Recordings.

http://open.spotify.com/track/7J8cyzumDB2CJpfAFsO1hp
“As Time Goes By,” as well as The Complete Improv Recordings,” is available from iTunes.

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