The Year of Tony Bennett

An Appreciation of the Art and Music of Tony Bennett

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Song of the Day: Close Enough For Love

The song of the day for Wednesday, July 1, 2020, is “Close Enough For Love.”

About Today

We were saddened to learn this morning that the composer and arranger Johnny Mandel had died at the age of 94. Mr. Mandel worked with Tony Bennett several times over the years, perhaps most famously for Bennett’s recording of “The Shadow of Your Smile,” from The Movie Song Album, released in 1966. Johnny Mandel had a very successful career, starting out as an arranger for big bands before composing for films and television programs.

Tony Bennett on X (formerly Twitter): "If Johnny Mandel had just composed "The Shadow of Your Smile" - one of the most beautiful songs I have been honored to record - it would have been enough to earn his standing as one of the finest composers of our time. pic.twitter.com/20TCwAJ7oU / X"

If Johnny Mandel had just composed "The Shadow of Your Smile" - one of the most beautiful songs I have been honored to record - it would have been enough to earn his standing as one of the finest composers of our time. pic.twitter.com/20TCwAJ7oU

Obituaries:

About This Song

Johnny Mandel and Paul Williams wrote “Close Enough For Love” in 1979. It was first recorded by Peggy Lee on her album of the same name. Although Mandel and Williams are well-known for their work as film composers, this song was not composed for film. It is a favorite of jazz vocalists; in addition to the Peggy Lee and Tony Bennett recordings, it has also been recorded by Shirley Horn and Andy Williams.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “Close Enough For Love” in 2004 for his album The Art Of Romance. Mr. Mandel arranged and conducted the orchestra.

“Close Enough For Love,” as well as The Art Of Romance, is available from Apple Music.

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Song of the Day: Close Enough For Love

The song of the day for July 16, 2019, is “Close Enough For Love.”

About This Song

“Close Enough for Love” was written by Johnny Mandel and Paul Williams in 1979. It was first recorded by Peggy Lee on her album of the same name. Although Mandel and Williams are well-known for their work as film composers, this song was not composed for film. It is a favorite of jazz vocalists; in addition to Peggy Lee’s and Tony Bennett’s recordings, it has also been recorded by Shirley Horn and Andy Williams. For jazz fans, I highly recommend the Shirley Horn version.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “Close Enough For Love” in 2004 for The Art of Romance, an album that I absolutely adore. Johnny Mandel wrote the arrangement and conducted the orchestra.

Close Enough for Love

Close Enough for Love, a song by Tony Bennett on Spotify

“Close Enough For Love,” as well as The Art of Romance, is available from iTunes.

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Song of the Day: Close Enough For Love

The song of the day for Sunday, November 20, 2016 is “Close Enough For Love.”

About This Song

Johnny Mandel and Paul Williams wrote “Close Enough For Love” in 1979. Peggy Lee first recorded this song on her album of same name released in 1979. The song has become a favorite of jazz vocalists, including a very fine recording by Shirley Horn.

About This Version

“Close Enough For Love” is the first song on Tony Bennett’s album The Art of Romance and was arranged by Johnny Mandel. It’s a great recording of a great song.

Close Enough for Love

Listen to Close Enough for Love on Spotify. Song · Tony Bennett · 2004


“Close Enough For Love,” as well as The Art of Romance, is available from iTunes.

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Song of the Day: Close Enough For Love

The song of the day for Thursday, February 11, 2016 is “Close Enough For Love.”

About This Song

“Close Enough For Love” was written in 1979 by Johnny Mandel, with lyrics by Paul Williams. This song was first recorded by Peggy Lee on her album of the same name. Although Mandel and Williams are well-known for their work as film composers, this song was not composed for film. It is a favorite of jazz vocalists; in addition to Peggy Lee’s and Tony Bennett’s recordings, it has also been recorded by Shirley Horn and Andy Williams.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “Close Enough For Love” in 2004 for his album The Art of Romance (and yes it is your author’s favorite album, which may have something to do with the incredible photograph of Mr. Bennett on the cover of the album). This song was arranged by the composer, Johnny Mandel.

Close Enough for Love

Listen to Close Enough for Love on Spotify. Song · Tony Bennett · 2004


“Close Enough For Love,” as well as The Art of Romance, is available from iTunes.

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Song of the Day: Close Enough For Love

The song of the day for Thursday, December 4, 2014 is “Close Enough For Love.”

About This Song

Today’s song was written in 1979 by Johnny Mandel (music) and Paul Williams (lyrics). “Close Enough for Love” was first recorded by Peggy Lee on her album of the same name. Although Mandel and Williams are well-known for their work as film composers, this song was not composed for a film. It is a favorite of jazz vocalists; in addition to Peggy Lee’s and Tony Bennett’s recordings, it has also been recorded by Shirley Horn and Andy Williams.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “Close Enough For Love” for his 2004 album The Art of Romance (which is the first Tony Bennett album your author became obsessed with and made her the Tony Bennett fan she is today). It was arranged by the composer, Johnny Mandel. Bennett’s quartet for this album includes Lee Musiker (piano), Paul Langosch (bass), Clayton Cameron (drums) and Gray Sargent (guitar).

Close Enough for Love

Listen to Close Enough for Love on Spotify. Song · Tony Bennett · 2004


“Close Enough For Love,” as well The Art of Romance, is available from iTunes.