The Year of Tony Bennett

An Appreciation of the Art and Music of Tony Bennett

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Song of the Day: Don’t Cry Baby

The song of the day for Tuesday, October 29, 2024, is “Don’t Cry Baby.”

About This Song

“Don’t Cry Baby” was written in 1929 by James P. Johnson, Saul Bernie, and Stella Unger. Jimmy Johnson was a composer and pianist who, along with Jelly Roll Morton, came into prominence in the era between ragtime and the stride piano techniques in early jazz. Saul Bernie and Stella Unger were both composers who were active in the 1920s. It was first sung by Bessie Smith in 1929. Erskine Hawkins recorded it in 1943; this version reached #1 on the Harlem Hit Parade in 1943 and #15 on the popular charts. Etta James recorded it in 1961 as well.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “Don’t Cry Baby” in May 2001 for his album Playin’ With My Friends. This recording features Harry Allen on saxophone and Mike Melvoin on the Hammond B3 organ.

“Don’t Cry Baby,” as well as Playin’ With My Friends, is available on Apple Music.

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Song of the Day: I Gotta Right To Sing The Blues

The song of the day for Tuesday, June 13, 2023, is “I Gotta Right To Sing The Blues.”

About This Song

“I Gotta Right To Sing The Blues” was written by Harold Arlen and Ted Koehler for the 1932 Broadway show, Earl Carroll’s Vanities. It has been a blues and jazz standard ever since. Notable recordings include those by Cab Calloway, Louis Armstrong, Benny Goodman, Lean Horne, Judy Garland, Ella Fitzgerald, Frank Sinatra, and Billie Holiday.

About This Version

Tony Bennett and Bonnie Raitt recorded “I Gotta Right To Sing The Blues” in May 2001 for the album Playin’ With My Friends. They were accompanied by The Ralph Sharon Quartet (Sharon on piano; Gray Sargent on guitar; Paul Langosch on bass; and Cameron Clayton on drums), Mike Melvoin on the Hammond B3 organ, and Harry Allen on saxophone.

“I Gotta Right To Sing The Blues,” as well as Playin’ With My Friends is available on Apple Music.

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Song of the Day: Don’t Cry Baby

The song of the day for Monday, June 12, 2023, is “Don’t Cry Baby.”

About This Song

“Don’t Cry Baby” was written in 1929 by James P. Johnson, Saul Bernie, and Stella Unger. Johnson was a composer and pianist who, along with Jelly Roll Morton, came into prominence in the era between ragtime and the stride piano techniques in early jazz. Saul Bernie and Stella Unger were both composers who were active in the 1920s. It was first sung by Bessie Smith in 1929. Erskine Hawkins recorded it in 1943; this version reached #1 on the Harlem Hit Parade in 1943 and #15 on the popular charts. Etta James recorded it in 1961 as well.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “Don’t Cry Baby” in May 2001 for his album Playin’ With My Friends: Bennett Sings The Blues. Featured artists on this recording are Harry Allen on saxophone and Mike Melvoin on the Hammond B3 organ.

“Don’t Cry Baby,” as well as Playin’ Withy My Friends: Bennett Sings The Blues is available on Apple Music.

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Song of the Day: I Got a Right to Sing the Blues

The song of the day for Tuesday, August 6, 2019, is “I Got a Right to Sing the Blues.”

About This Song

“I Got a Right to Sing the Blues” was written by Harold Arlen and Ted Koehler for the 1932 Broadway show, Earl Carroll’s Vanities. It has been a blues and jazz standard ever since. Notable recordings include those by Cab Calloway, Louis Armstrong, Benny Goodman, Lean Horne, Judy Garland, Ella Fitzgerald, Frank Sinatra, and Billie Holiday.

About This Version

Tony Bennett and Bonnie Raitt recorded “I Got a Right to Sing the Blues” in 2001 for the album Playin’ With My Friends: Bennett Sings The Blues. The recording features Harry Allen on saxophone and Mike Melvoin on the Hammond B3.

I Gotta Right To Sing The Blues (with Bonnie Raitt)

Listen to I Gotta Right To Sing The Blues (with Bonnie Raitt) on Spotify. Song · Tony Bennett, Bonnie Raitt · 2001

“I Got a Right to Sing the Blues,” as well as Playin’ With My Friends, is available from iTunes.