The Year of Tony Bennett

An Appreciation of the Art and Music of Tony Bennett

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Song of the Day: Where Do You Start

The song of the day for Monday, January 22, 2018 is “Where Do You Start.”

About This Song

“Where Do You Start,” written in 1987, is one the great songs from Alan and Marilyn Bergman with a beautiful melody by Johnny Mandel. This song has had many beautiful recordings: Nancy Lamott, Shirley Horn, Rosemary Clooney, Barbra Streisand, the Brad Mehldau Trio, Annie Ross and Tony Bennett.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “Where Do You Start” for his 2004 album The Art of Romance; the lovely arrangement is by the composer Johnny Mandel.

I’ve had a secret theme of the month for January, which has been some my most favorite songs that Tony Bennett has recorded. Today is definitely one of those songs and from an album of his that I absolutely adore.

Where Do You Start

Listen to Where Do You Start on Spotify. Song · Tony Bennett · 2004


“Where Do You Start,” as well as The Art of Romance, is available from iTunes.

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Song of the Day: A Christmas Love Song

On the seventh day of The Twelve Days of a Tony Bennett Christmas, the song of the day is “A Christmas Love Song.”

About This Song

Today’s song was written in 1988, with music by Johnny Mandel and lyrics by Alan and Marilyn Bergman. “A Christmas Love Song” is one the most beautiful recent Christmas songs written. In addition to Tony Bennett’s recording, it has been performed by many jazz and popular singers, including The Manhattan Transfer, Ann Hampton Calloway and Barbra Streisand.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “A Christmas Love Song” for his 2008 album, A Swingin’ Christmas.

All I Want for Christmas Is You (feat. Count Basie Big Band)

Listen to All I Want for Christmas Is You (feat. Count Basie Big Band) on Spotify. Song · Tony Bennett, Count Basie Big Band · 2008


“A Christmas Love Song,” as well as A Swingin’ Christmas, is available from iTunes.

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Song of the Day: How Do You Keep the Music Playing

The song of the day for Saturday, October 28, 2017 is “How Do You Keep the Music Playing.”

About This Song

“How Do You Keep the Music Playing” was written in 1982, with music by Michel Legrand and lyrics by Alan and Marilyn Bergman, for the movie Best Friends. The initial recording was a duet by Patti Austin and James Ingram, which became a hit single in 1983. It was one of three songs with lyrics by Alan and Marilyn Bergman that were nominated that year for an Academy Award for Best Song (though the award went to “Up Where We Belong” from the movie An Officer and a Gentleman). The song has become a popular standard and has had many fine recordings, including those by Frank Sinatra (who encouraged Bennett to sing this song), Frankie Laine, Johnny Mathis and, of course, Tony Bennett.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “How Do You Keep the Music Playing” in 1986 for The Art of Excellence. Jorge Calandrelli did the arrangement.

How Do You Keep The Music Playing?

Listen to How Do You Keep The Music Playing? on Spotify. Song · Tony Bennett · 1986


“How Do You Keep the Music Playing,” as well as The Art of Excellence, is available from iTunes.

About Today

For our Saturday video, we have the wonderful duet of today’s song with Tony and Aretha Franklin, as the recorded this song in Detroit for Duets II.

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Song of the Day: Where Do You Start

The song of the day for Thursday, October 19, 2017 is “Where Do You Start.”

About This Song

“Where Do You Start” was composed by Johnny Mandel, with lyrics by Alan and Marilyn Bergman. This song has had many beautiful recordings: Nancy Lamott, Shirley Horn, Rosemary Clooney, Barbra Streisand, the Brad Mehldau Trio, Annie Ross and Tony Bennett.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “Where Do You Start” in 2004 for his album The Art of Romance. Johnny Mandel arranged his song for the recording. The album won the Grammy for Best Traditional Pop Album.

I absolutely adore The Art of Romance. It’s the album that turned me into the Tony Bennett fan that I am today. It’s also the album that I gift to people that I want to turn on to Tony Bennett. Amazon must think I’m crazy, as it repeatedly reminds me that I have purchased the album before. I suspect Amazon will continue to remind me on this point for some time to come. And I really love the photograph of Tony on the cover too.

Where Do You Start

Listen to Where Do You Start on Spotify. Song · Tony Bennett · 2004


“Where Do You Start,” as well as The Art of Romance, is available from iTunes.

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Song of the Day: You Must Believe in Spring

The song of the day for Monday, October 16, 2017 is “You Must Believe in Spring.”

About This Song

This song was written by Michel Legrand, with lyric by Jacques Demy, for the 1967 French film Les Demoiselles de Rochefort, which starred Catherine Deneuve. The English lyrics were added later by Alan and Marilyn Bergman. “You Must Believe In Spring” has been widely recorded by artists including Sylvia Syms, Barbra Streisand and Bill Evans, in a posthumous release of an album with the same name, featuring sessions with Eddie Gomez and Eliot Zigmund.

About This Version

Tony Bennett and Bill Evans recorded “You Must Believe in Spring” in September 1976 for their second album, Together Again, released in 1977.

You Must Believe In Spring - Remastered 2003

Listen to You Must Believe In Spring - Remastered 2003 on Spotify. Song · Tony Bennett, Bill Evans · 1977


“You Must Believe in Spring,” as well as Together Again, is available from iTunes.

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