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 Sunday, December 12, 2021, is “Where Do You Start.”

About This Song

“Where Do You Start” was written in 1987 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. It was arranged and conducted by Johnny Mandel.

“Where Do You Start,” as well as The Art of Romance is available on Apple Music.

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Song of the Day: So Many Stars

The song of the day for Saturday, October 23, 2021, is “So Many Stars.”

About This Song

“So Many Stars” was written in 1968 by Sergio Mendes, with lyrics by Alan and Marilyn Bergman, for Sergio Mendes and the Brasil 66 for their 1968 album Look Around. Since then, the song has found great popularity with popular, jazz and cabaret artists including Kathleen Battle, Lee Konitz, Sarah Vaughan, Earl Klugh, Cleo Laine, and Susannah McCorkle.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “So Many Stars” in 1986 for his album The Art of Excellence. This song, as well as the entire album, was orchestrated and conducted by Jorge Calandrelli.

“So Many Stars,” as well as The Art of Excellence is available on Apple Music.

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

The song of the day for Tuesday, October 18, 2021, is “How Do You Keep The Music Playing.”

About This Song

“How Do You Keep The Music Playing?” was written by Michel Legrand, with lyrics by Alan and Marilyn Bergman, for the 1982 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 Tony Bennett, Tony Bennett and George Michael, and, most recently, Tony Bennett and Aretha Franklin.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “How Do You Keep The Music Playing?” for his 1986 album The Art of Excellence, his first album after rejoining Columbia. This song, as well as all the other songs on the album, was orchestrated and conducted by Jorge Calandrelli. The wonderful photograph of Bennett on the cover of the album was taken by Annie Liebovitz. Note the Twin Towers in the background.

“How Do You Keep The Music Playing,” as well as The Art of Excellence is available on Apple Music.

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Song of the Day: You Must Believe In Spring

The song of the day for Friday, August 27, 2021, is “You Must Believe In Spring.”

About This Song

“You Must Believe In Spring” was written for the 1967 French film Les Demoiselles de Rochefort. The music was composed by Michel Legrand, with original French lyrics by Jacques Demy, who also directed the film. The English lyrics were written by Alan and Marilyn Bergman. The song 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 1976 for their second album, Together Again, released in 1977. I think it’s one of Bennett’s most beautiful and touching recordings.

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 on Apple Music.

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

The song of the day for Friday, July 9, 2021, 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. 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 Tony Bennett, Tony Bennett and George Michael, and, most recently, Tony Bennett and Aretha Franklin.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded this version of “How Do You Keep The Music Playing” in 2011 with Aretha Franklin for Duets II.

How Do You Keep The Music Playing

Listen to How Do You Keep The Music Playing on Spotify. Song · Tony Bennett, Aretha Franklin · 2011

“How Do You Keep The Music Playing,” as well as Duets II is available on Apple Music.

Please enjoy this video of Tony Bennett and Aretha Franklin in the studio while they recorded this song.