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 Sunday, August 27, 2023, 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 it that same year. Peggy Lee recorded it in 1957 for her album The Man I Love which 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” in May 1989 for his autobiographical album Astoria: Portrait of the Artist, which was released in February 1990. It was arranged and conducted by Jorge Calandrelli.

“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: All The Things You Are

The song of the day for Sunday, May 21, 2023, 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 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” at his concert at Carnegie Hall on June 9, 1962, with an arrangement by Ralph Sharon. An abridged recording of the show in August 1962 as 4-LP set called Tony Bennett at Carnegie Hall. The 1997 re-release added most of the rest of the songs original concert.

“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: The Last Time I Saw Paris

The song of the day for Friday, April 21, 2023, 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, it 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. For this song, Bennett is accompanied by Bill Charles, who wrote the arrrangement, and Renee Rosnes on dual pianos.

“The Last Time I Saw Paris,” as well as The Silver Lining: The Songs Of Jerome Kern is available on Apple Music.

By Leave a Comment

Song of the Day: Make Believe

The song of the day for Friday, March 10, 2023, is “Make Believe.”

About This Song

“Make Believe” was written by Jerome Kern and Oscar Hammerstein for the groundbreaking 1927 musical Show Boat.

About This Version

Tony Bennett and Bill Charlap recorded “Make Believe” for 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 on Apple Music.

Here’s Howard Keel and Kathryn Grayson singing “Make Believe” from the 1951 film version of Show Boat:

By Leave a Comment

Song of the Day: The Last Time I Saw Paris

The song of the day for Tuesday, March 7, 2023, is “The Last Time I Saw Paris.”

About This Song

“The Last Time I Saw Paris” was written by Jerome Kern and Oscar Hammerstein in 1940. Kate Smith recorded it in 1940; the song touched many people after France was taken over by Germany and the Nazi party. The song was also used in the 1941 movie Lady Be Good, sung by Ann Sothern and won Kern and Hammerstein an Academy Award for Best Original Song. Kern was upset upon winning the award for a song that was not written specifically for a film and that had been published and recorded prior to the release of the movie. The Motion Picture Academy, upon Kern’s recommendation, changed the rules which now require a song to be written specifically for a film to be considered.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “The Last Time I Saw Paris” with Bill Charlap and Renee Rosnes on piano for The Silver Lining: The Songs of Jerome Kern, released in 2015.

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