The Year of Tony Bennett

An Appreciation of the Art and Music of Tony Bennett

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Song of the Day: Isn’t It Romantic

The song of the day for Friday, July 22, 2016 is “Isn’t It Romantic.”

About This Song

“Isn’t It Romantic” written for the 1932 movie Love Me Tonight by Richard Rodgers and Lorenz Hart, starred Maurice Chevalier and Jeanette MacDonald. The song has proved to be one of their most popular and has been and still is widely recorded by artists including Chet Baker, Peggy Lee, Mel Tormé, Ella Fitzgerald and The Bill Evans Trio. In his book American Popular Song, Alec Wilder calls “Isn’t It Romantic” a “perfect song.”

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded ” in “Isn’t It Romantic” in 1973 with the Ruby Braff-George Barnes Quartet. It was released on the 1976 album Tony Bennett Sings 10 Rodgers & Hart Songs.

Isn"t It Romantic

Listen to Isn"t It Romantic on Spotify. Tony Bennett · Song · 2004.


“Isn’t It Romantic,” as well as The Complete Improv Recordings, is available from iTunes.

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Song of the Day: Lover

The song of the day for Sunday, June 7, 2015 is “Lover.”

About This Song

Today’s song, “Lover,” was written by Richard Rodgers and Lorenz Hart in 1932 for the film Love Me Tonight, starring Jeanette MacDonald and Maurice Chevalier. It was introduced in the film by Jeannette MacDonald.

About This Version

“Lover” may be unfamiliar to many fans of Rodgers and Hart songs, though it’s a lovely song. The lyrics feature the dichotomy of love that Hart often wrote of:

Since you took control of my life
You have become the whole of my life
When you are away its awful
And when you are with me its worse

The song, in its own gentle way, has a drive and unending beat. I find it quite interesting to listen to.

Lover

Listen to Lover on Spotify. Tony Bennett · Song · 2004.


“Lover,” as well as The Complete Improv Recordings, is available from iTunes.

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Song of the Day: Lover

The song of the day for Monday, February 17, 2014 is “Lover.”

About This Song

“Lover” was written for the 1932 film Love Me Tonight by Richard Rodgers and Lorenz Hart, where it was introduced by Jeanette MacDonald.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “Lover” for his first Rodgers and Hart album, Tony Bennett Sings 10 Rodgers & Hart Songs. This album, as well as the follow-on album of more Rodgers and Hart songs, feature the brilliant accompaniment from Ruby Braff/George Barnes Quartet, which features Braff on corner, Barnes on guitar, Wayne Wright on guitar and John Guiffrida on bass. This quartet with Bennett’s voice is perfectly wonderful.

http://open.spotify.com/track/5m90v4ojsGYxgTOxnDugna
“Lover,” as well as all of the songs Tony Bennett recorded on his Improv label, is available from iTunes.

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