The Year of Tony Bennett

An Appreciation of the Art and Music of Tony Bennett

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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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Song of the Day: A Kiss To Build A Dream On

The song of the day for Thursday, July 25, 2019, is “A Kiss To Build A Dream On.”

About This Song

“A Kiss To Build A Dream On” was written in 1935 by Bert Kalmer, Harry Ruby, and Oscar Hammerstein. It was recorded by Louis Armstrong in 1951. The song was also performed by Armstrong in the 1951 movie The Strip, which was also sung by Mickey Rooney, William Demarest, and other members of the cast.

About This Version

Tony Bennett and k.d.lang recorded “A Kiss To Build A Dream On” in 2002 for their album of songs made famous by Louis Armstrong: A Wonderful World.

A Kiss to Build a Dream On

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“A Kiss To Build A Dream On,” as well as A Wonderful World, is available from iTunes.

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Playlist of the Week: Tony Loves Jerome Kern

The playlist of the week for July 14, 2019, is Tony Loves Jerome Kern.

This week’s consists of songs written by Jerome Kern, who wrote some of the most beautiful songs of the 20th century. As Bill Charlap said about Kern:

Jerome Kern is the angel at the top of the tree for American popular songwriters and writers of the theater. He influenced George Gershwin. He influenced Richard Rodgers. He influenced all of the songwriters.

Tony Loves Jerome Kern

This week our playlist explores the songs of Jerome Kern. Tony Bennett has a special feel for Kern's songs, as do I and many of his fans.

The Way You Look Tonight, lyrics by Dorothy Fields, written in 1936
Make Believe, lyrics by Oscar Hammerstein, written in 1927
All The Things You Are, lyrics by Oscar Hammerstein, written in 1939
Ol’ Man River, lyrics by Oscar Hammerstein, written in 1927
I’m Old Fashioned, lyrics by Johnny Mercer, written in 1942
I Won’t Dance, lyrics by Jimmy McHugh and Dorothy Fields, written in 1934
Nobody Else But Me, lyrics by Oscar Hammerstein, written in 1946
They Didn’t Believe Me, lyrics by Herbert Reynolds, written 1914
Long Ago and Far Away, lyrics by Ira Gershwin, written in 1944
Look for the Silver Lining, lyrics by Buddy DeSylva, written in 1919

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