The Year of Tony Bennett

An Appreciation of the Art and Music of Tony Bennett

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Song of the Day: All The Things You Are

The song of the day for Tuesday, January 2, 2024, 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 recorded “All The Things You Are” in 2015 for his album The Silver Lining: The Songs of Jerome Kern. Bill Charlap arranged the song and played solo piano for this recording.

“All The Things You Are,” as well as The Silver Lining: The Songs of Jerome Kern, is available on Apple Music.

I found this tape of Stephen Sondheim discussing “All The Things You Are” with Marian McPartland on Sondheim’s appearance on Piano Jazz, which I found fascinating. I hope you enjoy it.

You can read more about Sondheim’s appearance on Piano Jazz in the NPR article.

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Tony Bennett on Piano Jazz

This episode aired in Fall 1990.

Setlist:

“Wait Till You See Her” (Hart, Rodgers)

“Stay as Sweet as You Are” (Gordon, Revel)

“Willow Creek” (McPartland)

“While We’re Young” (Coots, Gillespie)

“Jazz Waltz For A Friend” (Wilder)

“Let There Be Love” (Rosnes)

“Portrait of Tony Bennett” (McPartland)

“Imagination” (Burke, Van Heusen)

“Watch What Happens” (Demy, Gimbel)

“Love Is Just Around the Corner” (Gensler, Robin)

“I’ve Grown Accustomed to Your Face” (Lerner, Loewe)

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Twilight World

The song of the day for Monday, March 20, 2023, is “Twilight World.”

About Today

We are remembering a great jazz pianist, Marian McPartland, who was born on March 19, 1918, in Slough, England. In addition to being a very fine jazz pianist, she was also a composer and writer. She introduced jazz to an entire generation with her weekly program on PBS, Marian McPartland’s Piano Jazz, that ran from 1970 to 2010.

Happy birthday to Marian McPartland!

About This Song

“Twilight World” was written in 1957 by Marian McPartland, with lyrics by Johnny Mercer. This ballad by Marian McPartland has proven to be one of her most enduring and popular songs. The tune itself is a lovely mid-tempo ballad, often played in a bossa nova style. The lyrics by Johnny Mercer are quite good, and the combination makes for a nearly perfect jazz song. Tony Bennett said “well, that song will last forever. It’s a beautiful song.”

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “Twilight World” on October 1, 1971, and released the following year on the album With Love. It was arranged by Robert Farnon.

“Twilight World,” as well as With Love is available on Apple Music.

Tony Bennett was a guest on Piano Jazz in 2004. We are pleased to present the full recording. It’s a lovely show.

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Tony Bennett and Piano Jazz


Tony Bennett’s 2004 visit to Marian McPartland’s Piano Jazz was replayed this week. If you haven’t heard this episode of this very fine program, you can listen to it here.

I’ve been listening to audio version of Marian McPartland’s book, All In Good Time. Ms. McPartland reads her own book, which makes it even more special. The book is available from Audible.

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Tony Bennett on National Public Radio

I think NPR loves Tony Bennett, as they have archived a treasure trove of interviews.  Here are some of my favorites.

This story by Scott Simon, Tony Bennett’s Art of Intimacy, was played on NPR’s Weekend Edition Saturday on November 4, 2011 is a favorite of mine. It’s an extended interview that covers his vocal training right after the war, how he addresses singing at the age of 85, and some special words about the people he collaborated  with in Duets II. Good interview, nice clips from the album, and very nicely produced. Click here to listen.

In the same  time period, Tony visited the NPR studios and sang two songs, accompanied by Lee Musiker. Click here to view this small concert.

And an extended interview on World Cafe, also from Fall 2011. The discussion about the end about Tony’s relationship to painting and singing are well worth listening to.  Click here to listen.

He has appeared on Marian McPartland’s wonderful Piano Jazz show. Click here to listen. This show was  recorded in 2004.

And finally, an interesting story about creating a new arrangement of I Left My Heart in San Francisco with Bill Charlap in 2006. Click here to listen.

There’s more on NPR … Just navigate to www.npr.org and search for Tony Bennett. You wont’ be sorry!