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The Year of Tony Bennett

An Appreciation of the Art and Music of Tony Bennett

September 25, 2023 By Suzanne Leave a Comment

Song of the Day: Fascinating Rhythm

The song of the day for Tuesday, September 26, 2023, is “Fascinating Rhythm.”

About Today

Today we are celebrating the great George Gershwin, who was born in New York City on September 26, 1898.

About This Song

“Fascinating Rhythm” was written by George and Ira Gershwin for the Broadway musical Lady Be Good and 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

Today I’m featuring two versions of “Fascinating Rhythm.”

1949: Tony Bennett recorded “Fascinating Rhythm” in April 1949 for Leslie Records as a 78, with “Vieni Qui” on the flip side. The record helped make Bennett a success: Mitch Miller, a 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.

2018: Tony Bennett and Diana Krall recorded a duet of Fascinating Rhythm” for his penultimate album, Love Is Here To Stay.

“Fascinating Rhythm,” as well as Love Is Here To Stay, is available on Apple Music.

Filed Under: Song of the Day Tagged With: Diana Krall, George Gershwin, Happy Birthday George Gershwin, Ira Gershwin, Leslie Records, Love is Here to Stay

May 16, 2023 By Suzanne Leave a Comment

Song of the Day: Somebody Loves Me

The song of the day for Wednesday, May 17, 2023, is “Somebody Loves Me.”

About This Song

“Somebody Loves Me” was written by George Gershwin, with lyrics by Ballard MacDonald and Buddy DeSylva, for the 1924 George White’s Scandals. It has been widely recorded since its first publication, with recordings from 1924. Significant recordings include those by Dinah Shore, Lena Horne, Diana Washington, Peggy Lee, Duke Ellington, Nat King Cole, and many more.

About This Version

Tony Bennett and Diana Krall recorded “Somebody Loves Me” for their 2018 album Love Is Here To Stay. Krall and Bill Charlap wrote the arrangement.

Love Is Here To Stay won the 61st Grammy Award for Best Traditional Pop Vocal Album.

“Somebody Loves Me,” as well as Love Is Here To Stay is available on Apple Music.

Filed Under: Song of the Day Tagged With: Ballard MacDonald, Bill Charlap, Buddy DeSylva, Diana Krall, George Gershwin, Love is Here to Stay, Tony Bennett

March 24, 2023 By Suzanne Leave a Comment

Song of the Day: Do It Again

The song of the day for Saturday, March 25, 2023, is “Do It Again.”

About This Song

“Do It Again” was written in 1922 by George Gershwin and Buddy DeSylva. Gershwin was in a meeting with his publisher, Max Dreyfus when DeSylva walked in and said “Let’s write a hit!” Gershwin started composing on the spot. DeSylva listened for a few minutes and then sang “Oh, do it again.” Gershwin played the song at parties when it was heard by Irene Bordoni, who wanted to perform it in her show The French Doll. It’s been widely recorded, including a wonderful Judy Garland recording from her 1961 concert at Carnegie Hall, released on Judy at Carnegie Hall.

About This Version

Tony Bennett and Diana Krall recorded “Do It Again” for their album Love Is Here To Stay. Bill Charlap wrote the arrangement.

“Do It Again,” as well as Love Is Here To Stay is available on Apple Music.

Filed Under: Song of the Day Tagged With: Bill Charlap, Buddy DeSylva, Diana Krall, George Gershwin, Love is Here to Stay, Tony Bennett

March 23, 2023 By Suzanne Leave a Comment

Song of the Day: I’ve Got a Crush on You

The song of the day for Friday, March 24, 2023, is “I’ve Got a Crush on You.”

About This Song

“I’ve Got a Crush on You” was written by George and Ira Gershwin for the 1928 musical Treasure Girl, where it was introduced by Clifton Webb and May Hay and again in 1930 for Strike Up The Band, where it was sung by Doris Caron and Gordon Smith. It’s been widely sung jazz vocalists, including Frank Sinatra, Sarah Vaughan, and Ella Fitzgerald.

About This Version

Tony Bennett and Diana Krall recorded “I’ve Got a Crush on You” for their 2018 album Love Is Here To Stay. Bill Charlap wrote the arrangement.

“I’ve Got a Crush on You,” as well as Love Is Here To Stay is available on Apple Music.

Filed Under: Song of the Day Tagged With: Bill Charlap, Diana Krall, George Gershwin, Ira Gershwin, Love is Here to Stay, Tony Bennett

September 30, 2020 By Suzanne Leave a Comment

Song of the Day: Love Is Here To Stay

The song of the day for Thursday, October 1, 2020, is “Love Is Here To Stay.”

About This Song

“Love Is Here To Stay” was written by George and Ira Gershwin in 1937 for The Goldwyn Follies movie, which was released after George Gershwin’s death. It’s also known as “Our Love Is Here To Stay,” but the published title of the song omits the “Our.”

About This Version

Tony Bennett and Diana Krall recorded “Love Is Here To Stay” for their 2018 album Love Is Here To Stay. Bill Charlap produced the album and did all the arrangements as well.

“Love Is Here To Stay,” as well as the album Love Is Here To Stay, is available from Apple Music.

Filed Under: Song of the Day Tagged With: Bill Charlap, Diana Krall, George Gershwin, Ira Gershwin, Love is Here to Stay, Tony Bennett

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