The Year of Tony Bennett

An Appreciation of the Art and Music of Tony Bennett

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Song of the Day: Blue and Sentimental

The song of the day for Friday, July 21, 2023, is “Blue and Sentimental.”

About Today

We are celebrating Kay Starr, Tony’s duet partner for today’s song, on the anniversary of her birth in Oklahoma on July 21, 1922. Kay loved to sing as a small child and won her first talent show at the age of 7. By then the family had moved to Dallas, Texas, where Kay found many opportunities to sing and earn money. She was discovered at the age of 15 by Joe Venuti and worked with Venuti for several years. Starr considered herself a jazz singer, but she also sang traditional pop, country, and Western swing music. She performed well into her 80s, including a stint in the revue 3 Girls, with Helen O’Connell and Margaret Whiting. She died in 2016 from complications of Alzheimer’s disease.

About This Song

“Blue and Sentimental” was written in 1938 by Count Basie, with Jerry Livingston and Mack David, and was originally recorded by The Count Basie Orchestra. It has since been recorded by Ella Fitzgerald, Nat King Cole, and Mel Tormé.

About This Version

Tony Bennett and Kay Starr recorded “Blue and Sentimental” in May 2001 for the album Playin’ With My Friends: Bennett Sings The Blues.

“Blue and Sentimental,” as well as Playin’ With My Friends: Bennett Sings The Blues is available on Apple Music.

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Song of the Day: La Vie En Rose

The song of the day for Friday, February 3, 2023, is “La Vie En Rose.”

About This Song

“La Vie En Rose” was written in 1946 by Marguerite Monnot and Louis Guglielmi (aka Louiguy). Edith Piaf wrote the French lyrics; Mack David wrote the English lyrics.

While now considered one of Edith Piaf’s most identifiable songs (taking second place only to “Non, je ne regrette rein”), this song had a slow and somewhat troubled beginning. The lyric came to Miss Piaf in 1944. She worked with Louiguy on the melody. At the time the song was written, only Louiguy, as neither Piaf or Monnot were qualified to copyright their work under the auspices of Société des auteurs, compositeurs et éditeurs de musique, the official French association. Initially, the song was thought to be weak as compared to the rest of her repertoire and she was encouraged to not sing it at her concerts. She did not sing it publicly until 1946 and it quickly became a favorite of audiences. She finally recorded the song in 1947. “La Vie en Rose” has been widely recorded ever since and used in many films, from Bull Durham to WALL-E. The 2007 film biography of Edith Piaf, which starred Marion Cotillard, was titled La Vie en Rose.

About This Version

Tony Bennett and k.d. lang recorded “La Vie En Rose” in May 2002 for their album Tony Bennett & k.d. lang: A Wonderful World. The album was orchestrated and conducted by Peter Matz; Lee Musiker wrote the arrangements and served as musical director.

“La Vie En Rose,” as well as Tony Bennett & k.d. lang: A Wonderful World is available on Apple Music.

Here’s Armstrong’s 1951 recording:

And here’s Edith Piaf’s 1947 recording:

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Song of the Day: Blue and Sentimental

The song of the day for Sunday, January 29, 2023, is “Blue and Sentimental.”

About This Song

“Blue and Sentimental” was written in 1938, with music by Count Basie and lyrics by Jerry Livingston and Mack David. It was initially recorded by The Count Basie Orchestra in 1938. It has since been recorded by Ella Fitzgerald, Nat Cole, and Mel Tormé.

About This Version

Tony Bennett and Kay Starr recorded “Blue and Sentimental” in May 2001 for Playin’ With My Friends: Bennett Sings The Blues.

“Blue and Sentimental,” as well as Playin’ With My Friends: Bennett Sings The Blues is available on Apple Music.

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Song of the Day: I’m Just a Lucky So and So

The song of the day for Friday, August 26, 2022, is “I’m Just a Lucky So and So.”

About This Song

“I’m Just a Lucky So and So” was written in 1945 by Duke Ellington and Mack David. A favorite song of Tony Bennett, today’s song has also been recorded by Billy Eckstine, Louis Armstrong, Ella Fitzgerald, and Sarah Vaughan.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “I’m Just a Lucky So and So” live at his famed Carnegie Hall concert on June 9, 1962, released on Tony Bennett at Carnegie Hall. The original release consisted of 4 LPs, but even then some songs weren’t included on that release; the 1997 CD release had all of the songs Bennett sang that night.

“I’m Just a Lucky So and So,” as well as Tony Bennett at Carnegie Hall is available on Apple Music.

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Song of the Day: Blue and Sentimental

The song of the day for Thursday, July 21, 2022, is “Blue and Sentimental.”

About Today

Today we are celebrating the life of the late Kay Starr, who was born on July 21, 1922, in Oklahoma. At the age of 7, she placed third in a talent contest and was given a 15-minute radio show. By the age of 10, she was making $3 a night, which was good money in the Great Depression. She started out singing mostly Western Swing and Country and Western music. She soon branched out to include pop and jazz songs. Starr died on November 3, 2016, at the age of 94 from complications of Alzheimer’s disease.

About This Song

“Blue and Sentimental” was written in 1938 by Count Basie, Jerry Livingston, and Mack David. This song was initially recorded by the Count Basie Orchestra in 1938. It has since been recorded by Ella Fitzgerald, Nat King Cole, and Mel Tormé.

About This Version

Tony Bennett and Kay Starr recorded “Blue and Sentimental” in May 2001 and released that same year on Playin’ With My Friends: Bennett Sings The Blues. The vocals were arranged by Rob Mathes.

“Blue and Sentimental,” as well as Playin’ With My Friends: Bennett Sings The Blues is available on Apple Music.

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