The Year of Tony Bennett

An Appreciation of the Art and Music of Tony Bennett

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Song of the Day: Long Ago and Far Away

The song of the day for Wednesday, April 9, 1958, is “Long Ago and Far Away.”

About This Song

“Long Ago and Far Away” was written by Jerome Kern and Ira Gershwin for the 1944 film musical Cover Girl, starring Rita Hayworth and Gene Kelly. In the film, the song was sung by Rita Hayworth to Gene Kelly. At the time of movie’s release, there were four versions of the song that all charted at the same time by Dick Haymes and Helen Forrest, Bing Crosby, Jo Stafford, and Perry Como.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “Long Ago and Far Away” 67 years ago today on April 9, 1958, for the album Long Ago and Far Away. Frank DeVol wrote the arrangement and conducted the Frank DeVol Orchestra.

“Long Ago and Far Away,” as well as Long Ago and Far Away, is available on Apple Music.

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Song of the Day: Ev’ry Time We Say Goodbye

The song of the day for Thursday, June 9, 2022, is “Ev’ry Time We Say Goodbye.”

About Today

Today we are celebrating the birth of the great Cole Porter, who was born in Peru, Indiana on June 9, 1891. You can find more about Cole Porter on coleporter.org. And, as you read this, the Cole Porter Festival is taking place in Peru: from June 9 through June 12, 2022. You can read more about this festival at coleporterfestival.org.

About This Song

Cole Porter wrote “Ev’ry Time We Say Goodbye” in 1944 for the Billy Rose musical revue Seven Lively Arts. The song is well known for the phrase “change from major to minor” as the song itself changed from A-flat major to A-flat minor, matching the lyric perfectly. It has always been a substantial jazz standard. Significant recordings include those by Tony Bennett, Mabel Mercer, Sonny Rollins, Chet Baker, Sarah Vaughan, and Dinah Washington.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “Ev’ry Time We Say Goodbye” on April 8, 1958, for the album Long Ago And Far Away. Frank DeVol wrote the very fine arrangement.

“Ev’ry Time We Say Goodbye,” as well as Long Ago And Far Away is available on Apple Music.

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Song of the Day: It Amazes Me

The song of the day for Tuesday, January 19, 2021, is “It Amazes Me.”

About This Song

Written in 1958, “It Amazes Me” is one of the non-theatrical popular songs written by Cy Coleman and Carolyn Leigh. Liza Minnelli recorded this song when she was only eighteen years old on her first album. It has also been recorded by Bill Evans, George Shearing, and Cleo Laine.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “It Amazes Me” in 1959 for his album Long Ago and Far Away. Frank DeVol did the arrangement. Bennett has sung this song at all of the dozen or so concerts of his I’ve attended.

It Amazes Me

Listen to It Amazes Me on Spotify. Song · Tony Bennett · 1958

“It Amazes Me,” as well as Long Ago and Far Away, is available from Apple Music.

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Song of the Day: Time After Time

The song of the day for Friday, July 17, 2020, is “Time After Time.”

About This Song

“Time After Time” was written by Frank Loesser and Sammy Cahn in 1947 for the movie It Happened in Brooklyn. The song was introduced by Frank Sinatra and was a major hit for him. It’s been widely recorded by many artists. In his fine book The Jazz Standards, Al Gioia quotes Jule Styne as saying “It’s a man’s song — ‘Time After Time.’ When a woman sings it, it is drained of all its power, so to speak. The girls can’t do it.” Well, tell that to Sarah Vaughan, Ella Fitzgerald, Carmen McRae, Anita O’Day, and Cyndi Lauper.

About This Version

Tony Bennett has recorded “Time After Time” three times. This year, I’ve already featured his live version from 1964 on Tony Bennett Live at the Sahara: From This Moment On and on the 1992 Perfectly Frank. Today is his 1958 recording on the album Long Ago And Far Away, arranged by Frank DeVol.

“Time After Time,” as well as Long Ago and Far Away, is available from Apple Music.

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Song of the Day: It Amazes Me

The song of the day for Friday, August 30, 2019, is “It Amazes Me.”

About This Song

Cy Coleman and Carolyn Leigh wrote “It Amazes Me” in 1958. Liza Minnelli recorded this song when she was only eighteen years old, on her first album. It has also been recorded by Bill Evans, George Shearing, and Cleo Laine.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “It Amazes Me” in 1958 for his album Long Ago and Far Away. The very nice arrangement is by Frank DeVol.

“It Amazes Me,” as well as Long Ago and Far Away, is available from iTunes.