The Year of Tony Bennett

An Appreciation of the Art and Music of Tony Bennett

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Song of the Day: Out Of This World

The song of the day for Sunday, July 14, 2013 is “Out Of This World.”

About This Song

“Out Of This World” was written for the 1945 film of the same name by Harold Arlen and Johnny Mercer. Out Of This World was billed as a kind of science fiction love story where the actor Eddie Bracken opens his mouth to sing this song, but Bing Crosby’s voice comes out. I’ll have to put this on my TCM watch list. In any case, it’s a beautiful ballad with an excellent lyric by Mercer. The Bing Crosby version was popular, as well as recordings by Jo Stafford, Ella Fitzgerald, Rosemary Clooney and, of course, Tony Bennett.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “Out Of This World” in 1967 for his album For Once In My Life. It was arranged by the great Marion Evans. Evans has done the arrangements for the new Tony Bennett and Lady Gaga jazz album that is currently being recorded.

http://open.spotify.com/track/1lbNdANp7StpkibXrAMjbi
“Out Of This World,” as well as the album For Once In My Life, is available from iTunes.

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The Song of the Day: The Lady’s In Love With You

The song of the day for Tuesday, February 19, 2013 is The Lady’s In Love With You.

About The Lady’s In Love With You

Written in 1939 by Burton Lane and Frank Loesser, The Lady’s In Love With You was first recorded by Glenn Miller. It’s been a popular song for many noted singers, including Ella Fitzgerald, Sarah Vaughan, Margaret Whiting, Gerry Mulligan, Dave Frishberg and Rebecca Kilgore, and John Pizzarelli.

About This Version

I’ve been a 1960s mood all day, having spent my lunch hour drooling over mid-century homes and furnishings (what I wouldn’t give to have my parent’s living room from 1963). Tony Bennett’s recording of The Lady’s In Love With You, from Tony Makes It Happen!, conjures up the 1960s perfectly for me. It swings and it’s a lot of fun with a great big band arrangement by the wonderful Marion Evans, who is arranging Tony’s next album with Lady Gaga.

The Lady"s In Love with You

Listen to The Lady"s In Love with You on Spotify. Song · Tony Bennett · 1967

The Lady’s In Love With You, as well as the full Tony Makes It Happen!, is available from iTunes.

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News Flash: Tony Bennett and Lady Gaga announce upcoming album

Ever since their terrific duet of The Lady is a Tramp for Duets II, many people have hoped that Tony Bennett and Lady Gaga would get back together for an entire album.

We’re happy to relay this link to a story in Rolling Stone, announcing that they will indeed be working on a jazz album, working with Marion Evans and a big swing band. They’ll be featuring the music of an as-yet-unnamed composer from the swing era.

I’m hoping for Harold Arlen, myself.

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Song of the Day: Don’t Get Around Much Anymore

Michael Bublé, Tony Bennett collaborator, was born on this day in 1975. To help celebrate Mr. Bublé’s birthday, the Song of the Day is their duet Don’t Get Around Much Anymore.

About Don’t Get Around Much Anymore

This song was written by Duke Ellington in 1940, with lyrics by Bob Russell added in 1942. In 1943, two different versions of the song reached #1 on the R&B chart: one by Duke’s band and another by the Ink Spots. Both versions also charted on the top ten pop charts the same year.

The song was, and remains, a popular jazz standard, sung by the royalty of jazz and popular singers, including Ella Fitzgerald, Mel Tormé, and Natalie Wood. It’s been a crossover hit for B.B. King, Willie Nelson, Cliff Richard, and Sam Cooke.

About This Version

Mr. Bennett first recorded this song (to the best of my knowledge) in 1967 for Tony Makes It Happen!  The same recording also appeared on the 1973 album Sunrise Sunset. He re-recorded the song, with a new arrangement by Ralph Burns on his 1999 tribute album to Duke Ellington: Bennett Sings Ellington Hot & Cool.

Today’s version is the Tony Bennett – Michael Bublé duet from the 2011 Duets II. The arrangement is by Marion Evans, who also arranged the 1967 version.

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