The Year of Tony Bennett

An Appreciation of the Art and Music of Tony Bennett

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Song of the Day: S’Wonderful

The song of the day for Wednesday, September 30, 2020, is “S’Wonderful.”

About This Song

George and Ira Gershwin wrote “S’Wonderful” for the 1927 musical Funny Face, where it was introduced by Adele Astaire (Fred’s sister) and Allen Kearns.

About This Version

Tony Bennett and Diana Krall, with The Bill Charlap Trio, recorded “S’Wonderful” for their 2018 album Love Is Here To Stay. Bill Charlap arranged and produced the album. In addition to Charlap, the trio includes Peter Washington on bass and Kenny Washington on drums.

“S’Wonderful,” as well as Love Is Here To Stay, is available from Apple Music.

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Song of the Day: Love Is Here To Stay

The song of the day for Wednesday, June 17, 2020, is “Love Is Here To Stay.”

About This Song

“Love Is Here To Stay” was written by George and Ira Gershwin in 1937 for The Goldwyn Follies movie, which was released after George Gershwin’s death. It’s also known as “Our Love Is Here To Stay,” but the published title of the song omits the “Our.”

About This Version

Tony Bennett and Diana Krall recorded “Love Is Here To Stay” for their 2018 album Love Is Here To Stay. They are accompanied by the wonderful Bill Charlap Trio, featuring Charlap on piano, Peter Washington on bass, and Kenny Washington on drums.

“Love Is Here To Stay,” as well as Love Is Here To Stay, is available from Apple Music.

Here’s the lovely video for this song:

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Song of the Day: My One and Only

The song of the day for Tuesday, September 24. 2019, is “My One and Only.”

About This Song

“My One and Only” was written by George Gershwin and Ira Gershwin for the 1927 musical Funny Face, where it was introduced by Fred Astaire, Betty Compton and Gertrude McDonald. Recordings include those by Whispering Jack Smith, Fred Astaire, Sarah Vaughan, and Ella Fitzgerald.

About This Version

Tony Bennett and Diana Krall recorded “My One and Only” for their 2018 album Love Is Here To Stay, with the Bill Charlap Trio, with Charlap on piano, Peter Washington on bass, and Kenny Washington on drums.

“My One and Only,” as well as Love Is Here To Stay, is available from iTunes.

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Song of the Day: Pick Yourself Up

The song of the day for Friday, September 20, 2019, is “Pick Yourself Up.”

About This Song

“Pick Yourself Up” was written by Jerome Kern and Dorothy Fields for the 1936 Fred Astaire film Swing Time. The song was introduced by Fred Astaire and Ginger Rodgers. It’s had many fine recordings, including those by Fred Astaire, Nat Cole, Ella Fitzgerald, Mel Tormé, and Diana Krall.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “Pick Yourself Up” for the 2015 album The Silver Lining: The Songs of Jerome Kern with the Bill Charlap Trio, featuring Charlap on piano, Peter Washington on bass, and Kenny Washington on drums.

“Pick Yourself Up,” as well as The Silver Lining: The Songs of Jerome Kern, is available from iTunes.

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Song of the Day: Do It Again

The song of the day for Wednesday, June 5, 2019, is “Do It Again.”

About This Song

Today’s song, “Do It Again,” was composed by George Gershwin, with lyrics by Buddy DeSylva. The song was used for the 1922 show The French Doll, at the insistence of the star Irène Bordon. George Gershwin told this story in 1934:

I was in the office of Max Dreyfus, my publisher, one day when Buddy DeSylva walked in. DeSylva said jokingly to me, “George, let’s write a hit!” I matched him by saying, “O.K.!” I sat down at the piano, and began playing a theme which I was composing on the spot. Buddy listened for a few minutes and then began chanting this title-—”Oh, Do It Again!,” which he had just fitted to my theme.

About This Version

Tony Bennett and Diana Krall recorded “Do It Again” for the 2018 album Love Is Here To Stay. The album features The Bill Charlap Trio, with Charlap on piano, Peter Washington on bass, and Kenny Washington on drums. In addition, Charlap did the arrangments for the album.

Do It Again

Do It Again, a song by Tony Bennett, Diana Krall on Spotify

“Do It Again,” as well as Love Is Here To Stay, is available from iTunes.

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