The Year of Tony Bennett

An Appreciation of the Art and Music of Tony Bennett

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Song of the Day: It Amazes Me

The song of the day for Sunday, August 28, 2016 is “It Amazes Me.”

About This Song

“It Amazes Me” was written by Cy Coleman and Carolyn Leigh 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 first recorded “It Amazes Me” in 1958 for his album Long Ago and Far Away. The arrangement is by Frank DeVol.

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 iTunes.

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

The song of the day for Wednesday, June 1, 22016 is “Ev’ry Time We Say Goodbye.”

About This Song

Cole Porter wrote “Ev’ry Time We Say Goodbye” for the 1944 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 strong 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 Goodbye” in 1958 for his album Long Ago And Far Away, which was arranged and conducted by Frank DeVol.

Ev"rytime We Say Goodbye

Listen to Ev"rytime We Say Goodbye on Spotify. Song · Tony Bennett · 1958


“Every Time We Say Goodbye,” as well as Long Ago and Far Away, is available from iTunes.

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Song of the Day: Be Careful It’s My Heart

The song of the day for Friday, May 13, 2016 is “Be Careful It’s My Heart.”

About Be Careful It’s My Heart

Irving Berlin wrote “Be Careful It’s My Heart” for the 1942 movie Holiday Inn, which starred Bing Crosby and Fred Astaire. “Be Careful, It’s My Heart” was the song for the Valentine’s Day segment of the film, where it was introduced by Marjorie Reynolds.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded today’s song in 1958 for his album Long Ago And Far Away; the album was arranged and conducted by Frank De Vol.

Be Careful, It"s My Heart

Listen to Be Careful, It"s My Heart on Spotify. Song · Tony Bennett · 1958


“Be Careful It’s My Heart,” as well as Long Ago And Far Away, is available from iTunes.

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Song of the Day: Ev’rytime We Say Goodbye

The song of the day for Saturday, May 30, 2015 is “Ev’rytime We Say Goodbye.”

About This Song

“Ev’ry Time We Say Goodbye” was written by Cole Porter for the 1944 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 strong jazz standard. Significant recordings include those by Tony Bennett, Mabel Mercer, Sonny Rollins, Chet Baker, Sarah Vaughan and Dinah Washington.

About This Version

This song features Lady Gaga, who does a very nice job with the song. I love listening to her sing ballads and hope to hear more from her in their next album.

About Today

Tonight, Lady Gaga and Tony Bennett are the Hollywood Bowl for the first of two concerts. I’m sure that Lady Gaga will sing this wonderful Cole Porter song!

Ev"ry Time We Say Goodbye

Listen to Ev"ry Time We Say Goodbye on Spotify. Song · Lady Gaga · 2014


“Ev’rytime We Say Goodbye,” as well as Cheek To Cheek, is available from iTunes.

I’d also like to share Tony Bennett’s version of the same song, recorded in 1958 for Long Ago … And Far Away. The arrangement is from Frank DeVol.

https://open.spotify.com/track/1vm6EOJR6XVVMP0THJAzTn
“Ev’rytime We Say Goodbye,” as well as Long Ago … And Far Away, is available from iTunes.

Our Saturday video features Lady Gaga singing this song on the Jimmy Fallon show:

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Song of the Day: Time After Time

The song of the day for Wednesday, May 21, 2014 is “Time After Time.”

About This Song

“Time After Time” was composed in 1947 by Jule Styne, with lyrics by Sammy Cahn. The song was written for the film It Happened In Brooklyn an was introduced by Frank Sinatra and also by Kathryn Grayson, who sang it later in the film. The song is a wonderful ballad with a beautiful theme. In American Popular Song, Alec Wilder said this of the song:

It’s a strong, pure, dramatic, uncluttered, unselfconscious melody. It bespeaks personal involvement and great warmth. I know of no other ballad by Styne equal to it. I’d have been proud to have written it.

High praise, indeed.

About This Version

Tony Bennett has recorded “Time After Time” several times, most recently for his 1992 album Perfectly Frank; he also sang it at The Sahara in Las Vegas, captured on the recently released Tony Bennett Live at The Sahara: Las Vegas, 1964. However, today’s version is his first, recorded in 1958 for his fourth 12″ LP record Long Ago … And Far Away. It’s early Tony Bennett and it’s wonderful. The album was recorded in Los Angeles and features Frank DeVol and His Orchestra. DeVol did all the arrangements for the album.

http://open.spotify.com/track/2kpmZe4Cpm1gIWAZa8ZU0J
“Time After Time,” as well as the album Long Ago And Far Away, is available from iTunes.