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The Year of Tony Bennett

An Appreciation of the Art and Music of Tony Bennett

July 10, 2024 By Suzanne Leave a Comment

Song of the Day: Don’t Cry Baby

The song of the day for Wednesday, July 10, 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, became prominent in the era between ragtime and the stride piano techniques in early jazz. Saul Bernie and Stella Unger were both active composers 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” on October 1, 1950; it was released as a single that year. It was arranged by Norman Leyden.

“Don’t Cry Baby,” as well as The Columbia Singles, Vol. 1, is available on Apple Music.

Filed Under: Song of the Day Tagged With: James P. Johnson, Norman Leyden, Saul Bernie, Stella Unger, Tony Bennett

May 19, 2022 By Suzanne Leave a Comment

Song of the Day: Don’t Cry Baby

The song of the day for Friday, May 20, 2022, 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” on October 1, 1950, featuring an arrangement by Norman Leyden.

Your friendly author was 12 days old on the date of this recording, seen here with my mother:

 

“Don’t Cry Baby,” as well as the singles collected on The Columbia Singles, Vol. 1 is available on Apple Music.

Filed Under: Song of the Day Tagged With: James P. Johnson, Norman Leyden, Saul Bernie, Stella Unger, Tony Bennett

August 22, 2017 By Suzanne Leave a Comment

Song of the Day: Don’t Cry Baby

The song of the day for Wednesday, August 23, 2017 is “Don’t Cry Baby.”

About This Song

Today’s 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 has recorded “Don’t Cry Baby” twice: in 1950 and again in 2001. I’ve featured the 2001 recording several times, so I thought I’d present his 1950 version, which was arranged by Norman Leyden. It’s a really nice recording of this song and is fun to hear Bennett exercising his blues chops.

Don"t Cry Baby

Listen to Don"t Cry Baby on Spotify. Song · Tony Bennett · 2011


“Don’t Cry Baby,” as well as all of the singles collected on The Columbia Singles, Vol. 1, is available from iTunes.

Filed Under: Song of the Day Tagged With: James P. Johnson, Norman Leyden, Saul Bernie, Stella Unger, Tony Bennett

July 4, 2017 By Suzanne Leave a Comment

Song of the Day: Don’t Cry Baby

The song of the day for Tuesday, July 4, 2017 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” on October 1, 1950. This time, his arranger was Norman Leyden; the recording was produced by Mitch Miller. This early recording has always fascinated me. It’s a great song and you can feel the young Bennett stretching out just a bit for this blues song.

Don"t Cry Baby

Listen to Don"t Cry Baby on Spotify. Song · Tony Bennett · 2011


“Don’t Cry Baby,” as well as all the singles collected on The Columbia Singles, Vol. 1, is available from iTunes.

About Today

Filed Under: Song of the Day Tagged With: James P. Johnson, Mitch Miller, Norman Leyden, Saul Bernie, Stella Unger, Tony Bennett

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