The Year of Tony Bennett

An Appreciation of the Art and Music of Tony Bennett

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Song of the Day: All The Things You Are

The song of the day for Thursday, August 6, 2020, is “All The Things You Are.”

About This Song

“All The Things You Are” was written by Jerome Kern and Oscar Hammerstein for the 1939 musical Very Warm For May. In American Popular Song, Alec Wilder considers it to be one of Kern’s finest songs and with good reason. It’s a beautiful tune and Hammerstein’s lyrics are excellent.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded this version of “All The Things You Are” for his 2015 album The Silver Lining: The Songs of Jerome Kern, with Bill Charlap. This recording features a very fine piano solo by Charlap.

“All The Things You Are,” as well as The Silver Lining: The Songs of Jerome Kern, is available from Apple Music.

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Song of the Day: Make Believe

The song of the day for Wednesday, January 29, 2020, is “Make Believe.”

About This Song

“Make Believe” was written by Jerome Kern and Oscar Hammerstein in 1927 for the original stage production of Show Boat. It’s a lovely song, sung by Magnolia Hawks and Gaylord Ravenal as they first begin to fall in love.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “Make Believe” with the Bill Charlap Trio for the album The Silver Lining: The Songs of Jerome Kern, released in 2015.

“Make Believe,” as well as The Silver Lining: The Songs of Jerome Kern, is available from iTunes.

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Song of the Day: The Folks That Live on the Hill

The song of the day for Wednesday, January 15, 2020, is “The Folks That Live on the Hill.”

About This Song

“The Folks That Live on the Hill” was written by Jerome Kern and Oscar Hammerstein for the 1937 movie High, Wide, and Handsome, where it was introduced by Irene Dunne. Bing Crosby recorded the song that same year and Peggy Lee recorded it in 1957 for her album The Man I Love, conducted by Frank Sinatra. Other recordings include those by Diana Krall, Jo Stafford, and Nina Simone.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “The Folks That Live on the Hill” in 1989 for his album Astoria: Portrait of the Artist, which was released in 1990. Jorge Calandrelli arranged and conducted the album.

“The Folks That Live on the Hill,” as well as Astoria: Portrait of the Artist, is available from iTunes.

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Tony Live! All The Things You Are

The song of the day for Sunday, January 12, 2020, is “All The Things You Are.”

About This Song

“All The Things You Are” was written by Jerome Kern and Oscar Hammerstein for the 1939 musical Very Warm For May. In American Popular Song, Alec Wilder considers it to be one of Kern’s finest songs and with good reason. It’s a beautiful tune and Hammerstein’s lyrics are excellent.

About This Version

Tony Bennett sang “All the Things You Are” on June 9, 1962326, for his concert at Carnegie Hall. An abbreviated 4-LP set was released very soon after the concert as Tony Bennett at Carnegie Hall. The entire concert was released as a 2-CD in 1997.

“All The Things You Are,” as well as Tony Bennett at Carnegie Hall, is available from iTunes.

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Song of the Day: The Last Time I Saw Paris

The song of the day for Monday, October 7, 2019, is “The Last Time I Saw Paris.”

About This Song

“The Last Time I Saw Paris” was written in 1940 by Jerome Kern and Oscar Hammerstein. Unlike many songs by Jerome Kern, wasn’t written specifically for a film or Broadway musical. However, it was used in the 1941 film Lady Be Good, where it was sung by Ann Sothern; the song won the Academy Award for best song that year. the song also inspired the 1954 film of the same name, starring Elizabeth Taylor and Van Johnson. Significant recordings include those by Kate Smith, Bud Powell, Dinah Shore, Dean Martin, and Connie Francis.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “The Last Time I Saw Paris” for his 2015 album The Silver Lining: The Songs of Jerome Kern. He is accompanied by Bill Charlap, who also wrote the arrangement, and Renee Rosnes.

“The Last Time I Saw Paris,” as well as The Silver Lining: The Songs of Jerome Kern, is available from iTunes.

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