The Year of Tony Bennett

An Appreciation of the Art and Music of Tony Bennett

By Leave a Comment

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

The song of the day for Thursday, November 4, 2021, 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 II for the 1937 movie High, Wide, and Handsome, where it was introduced by Irene Dunne. Bing Crosby recorded it that same year. Peggy Lee recorded it in 1957 for her album The Man I Love; it was 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” for his 1990 album Astoria: Portrait of the Artist. Jorge Calandrelli wrote the arrangement and conducted the orchestra.

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

By Leave a Comment

Song of the Day: Climb Ev’ry Mountain

The song of the day for Monday, June 7, 2021, is “Climb Ev’ry Mountain.”

About This Song

Written by Richard Rodgers and Oscar Hammerstein, “Climb Ev’ry Mountain” is from the beloved musical The Sound of Music, which opened on Broadway in 1959 and ran for 1,443 performances. It is sung at the end of Act One by the Mother Abbess.

About This Version

Tony Bennett first recorded “Climb Ev’ry Mountain” in 1959 and released it as a single; the same recording was included on his 1962 album Mr. Broadway: Tony’s Greatest Broadway Hits. He sang it at his 1962 concert at Carnegie Hall on June 9, 1962, captured on Tony Bennett At Carnegie Hall.

Climb Ev"ry Mountain (From "The Sound Of Music") - Live at Carnegie Hall, New York, NY - June 1962

Listen to Climb Ev"ry Mountain (From "The Sound Of Music") - Live at Carnegie Hall, New York, NY - June 1962 on Spotify. Tony Bennett · Song · 1962.

“Climb Ev’ry Mountain,” as well as Tony Bennett At Carnegie Hall is available on Apple Music.

By Leave a Comment

Song of the Day: All The Things You Are

The song of the day for Tuesday, June 2, 2021, 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 “All The Things You Are” on June 9, 1962, at his concert at Carnegie Hall, captured on Tony Bennett At Carnegie Hall.

I fell in love with this song and Bennett’s recording on my first listen and my love for this song has never faded. Bennett recorded “All The Things You Are” for his 1915 album with Bill Charlap, The Silver Lining: The Songs of Jerome Kern, which is just as lovely as the recording we’re featuring today.

All The Things You Are (From "Very Warm For May") - Live at Carnegie Hall, New York, NY - June 1962

Listen to All The Things You Are (From "Very Warm For May") - Live at Carnegie Hall, New York, NY - June 1962 on Spotify. Tony Bennett · Song · 1962.

“All The Things You Are,” as well as Tony Bennett At Carnegie Hall is available on Apple Music.

By Leave a Comment

Song of the Day: I Won’t Dance

The song of the day for Sunday, January 31, 2021, is “I Won’t Dance.”

About This Song

“I Won’t Dance” was originally written in 1934 by Jerome Kern, with lyrics by Otto Harbach and Oscar Hammerstein, for a London musical called Three Sisters, though the show was a flop and was quickly forgotten. The following year, a film of Roberta was made, and the song was re-purposed, this time with lyrics by Jimmy McHugh and Dorothy Fields.

About This Version

With The Bill Charlap Trio, Tony Bennett recorded “I Won’t Dance” for the 2015 album The Silver Lining: The Songs of Jerome Kern. Charlap wrote the arrangement.

I Won"t Dance

Listen to I Won"t Dance on Spotify. Tony Bennett · Song · 2015.

“I Won’t Dance,” as well as The Silver Lining: The Songs of Jerome Kern, is available from Apple Music.

By Leave a Comment

Song of the Day: All The Things You Are

The song of the day for Thursday, January 28, 2021, 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 first recorded “All The Things You Are” in 1962 at his concert at Carnegie Hall, an abbreviated version of which was released on a 4-LP set as Tony Bennett at Carnegie Hall. The 1997 reissue on 2 CDs included the full concert. Ralph Sharon arranged and conducted the orchestra.

All The Things You Are (From "Very Warm For May") - Live at Carnegie Hall, New York, NY - June 1962

Listen to All The Things You Are (From "Very Warm For May") - Live at Carnegie Hall, New York, NY - June 1962 on Spotify. Tony Bennett · Song · 1962.

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

Subscribe to The Year of Tony Bennett

Enter your email address to subscribe to this blog and receive notifications of new posts by email.

Current Reader Favorites