The Year of Tony Bennett

An Appreciation of the Art and Music of Tony Bennett

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Song of the Day: Wave

The song of the day for Thursday, October 1, 2015 is “Wave.”

About This Song

“Wave,” or “Vou Te Contar” in the original Portuguese, written in 1967, is a classic bossa nova song by Antonio Carlos Jobim. It’s one of Jobim’s loveliest songs.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “Wave” on August 13, 1970 and released it that same year on the album Tony Bennett’s Something. It was arranged and conducted by Peter Matz. The session included several Bennett favorites, including John Bunch, Milt Hinton and Al De Risi.

Wave

Listen to Wave on Spotify. Song · Tony Bennett · 1970


“Wave,” as well as Tony Bennett’s Something, is available from iTunes.

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Song of the Day: Is That All There Is?

The song of the day for Thursday, September 30, 2015 is “Is That All There Is?”

About This Song

Today’s song, “Is That All There Is?,” was written in 1968 by songwriting team of Mike Stoller and Jerry Leiber. Most people are familiar with Peggy Lee’s recording of this song, who recorded the song in January 1969. The lyrics for this song were inspired by a story by Thomas Mann, Disillusionment. Leiber’s wife Gaby, who escaped the Nazis from the Netherlands prior to the war, introduced her husband to the story and assisted with the lyrics. In fact, most of the words in the chorus are taken verbatim from the Mann story.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “Is That All There Is?” on October 7, 1969 for the album Tony Sings The Great Hits of Today, which was released the following year. The album was arranged and conducted by Peter Matz. Nothing will be said here about the illustration on the cover of this album.

Is That All There Is?

Listen to Is That All There Is? on Spotify. Song · Tony Bennett · 1971


” Is That All There Is?,” as well as Tony Sings The Great Hits of Today, is available from iTunes.

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Song of the Day: Wave

As Mr. Bennett is currently performing in Brazil, today’s song of the day for December 1, 2012 is Wave.

About Wave

Wave, or Vou Te Contar in the original Portuguese, was written by Antonio Carlos Jobim in 1967. It appeared on Jobim’s third album, also called Wave. In addition to Mr. Jobim, the song has also been recorded by Frank Sinatra, Oscar Peterson, Buddy Rich, Joao Gilberto and Ella Fitzgerald.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded this song for his 1970 album Something, which featured a beautiful photograph of Mr. Bennett and his infant daughter Johanna on the cover. The album was arranged and conducted by Peter Matz and produced by Teo Macero.

This song, along with the entire album, is available on iTunes.