The Year of Tony Bennett

An Appreciation of the Art and Music of Tony Bennett

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Song of the Day: Undecided Blues

The song of the day for Wednesday, May 27, 2020, is “Undecided Blues.”

About This Song

“Undecided Blues” was written in 1941 by blues shouter Jimmy Rushing (also known as Five-by-Five, due to his stature). Rushing was born in Oklahoma City into a musical family; his father was a trumpet player and his mother a singer. He started his career as an itinerant blues singer in the early 1920s. He sang with Jelly Roll Morton and other early jazz orchestras before joining the Bennie Moten band in 1929. When Moten died in 1935, he joined the Count Basie Orchestra, which was his home for many years. Rushing, with the Count Basie Orchestra, first recorded “Undecided Blues” in 1941.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “Undecided Blues” in 2001 for his album Playin’ With My Friends: Bennett Sings The Blues. This album features duets with singers Bonnie Raitt, B.B. King, k.d. lang, and Kay Starr among others. Bennett also sings several songs solo.

What? You didn’t know that Tony Bennett can sing the blues? Listen up!

“Undecided Blues,” as well as Playin’ With My Friends: Bennett Sings The Blues, is available from iTunes.

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Song of the Day: Don’t Cry Baby

The song of the day for Monday, February 24, 2020, is “Don’t Cry Baby.”

About This Song

“Don’t Cry Baby” was written in 1929 by James P. Johnson, Saul Bernie, and Stella Unger. Jimmy Johnson was a composer and pianist who, along with Jelly Roll Morton, came into prominence in the era between ragtime and the stride piano techniques in early jazz. Saul Bernie and Stella Unger were both composers who were active in the 1920s. It was first sung by Bessie Smith in 1929. Erskine Hawkins recorded it in 1943; this version reached #1 on the Harlem Hit Parade in 1943 and #15 on the popular charts. Etta James recorded it in 1961 as well.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “Don’t Cry Baby” in 2001 for his album Playin’ With My Friends.

“Don’t Cry Baby,” as well as Playin’ With My Friends, is available from iTunes.

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Song of the Day: Undecided Blues

The song of the day for Thursday, September 5, 2019, is “Undecided Blues.”

About This Song

“Undecided Blues” was written in 1941 by blues shouter Jimmy Rushing (also known as Five-by-Five, due to his stature). Rushing was born in Oklahoma City into a musical family; his father was trumpet player and his mother a singer. He started his career as an itinerant blues singer in the early 1920s. He sang with Jelly Roll Morton and other early jazz orchestras before joining the Bennie Moten band in 1929. When Moten died in 1935, he joined the Count Basie Orchestra, which was his home for many years. Rushing, with the Count Basie Orchestra, first recorded “Undecided Blues” in 1941.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “Undecided Blues” in 2001 for his album Playin’ With My Friends: Bennett Sings the Blues.” This album has several Bennett solos, including this recording, as well as duets with artists including B.B. King, Stevie Wonder, Kay Starr, Diana Krall, k.d. lang, Ray Charles, and Bonnie Raitt. It’s a great listen!

“Undecided Blues,” as well as Playin’ With My Friends: Tony Bennett Sings the Blues, is available from iTunes.

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Playlist of the Week: Tony Sings with the Guys, Part 1

The playlist of the week starting June 16, 0219, is Tony Sings with the Guys, Part 1.

Tony Sings with the Guys, Part 1

This playlist contains some of Tony early duets with male singers.

Let the Good Times Roll, with B.B. King, from Playin’ With My Friends

New York State of Mind, with Billy Joel, from Playin’ With My Friends

Cold, Cold Heart, with Tim McGraw, from Duets: An American Classic

Everyday I Have The Blues, with Stevie Wonder, from Playin’ With My Friends

The Boulevard of Broken Dreams, with Sting, from Duets: An American Classic

The Shadow of Your Smile, with Juanes, from Duets: An American Classic

The Very Thought of You, with Paul McCartney, from Duets: An American Classic

I Wanna Be Around, with Bono, from Duets: An American Classic

Evenin’, with Ray Charles, from Playin’ With My Friends

Rags to Riches, with Elton John, from Duets: An American Classic

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Song of the Day: Don’t Cry Baby

The song of the day for Friday, June 7, 2019, is “Don’t Cry Baby.”

About This Song

“Don’t Cry Baby” was written by James P. Johnson, Saul Bernie, and Stella Unger in 1928. Jimmy Johnson was a composer and pianist who, along with Jelly Roll Morton, came into prominence in the era between ragtime and the stride piano techniques in early jazz. Saul Bernie and Stella Unger were both composers who were active in the 1920s. It was first sung by Bessie Smith in 1929. Erskine Hawkins recorded it in 1943; this version reached #1 on the Harlem Hit Parade in 1943 and #15 on the popular charts. Etta James recorded it in 1961 as well.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded this version of “Don’t Cry Baby” in 2001 for his album Playin’ With My Friends: Bennett Sings The Blues. This recording features Harry Allen on saxophone and Mike Melvoin on the Hammond B3 organ.

Don’t Cry Baby

Don’t Cry Baby, a song by Tony Bennett on Spotify

“Don’t Cry Baby,” as well as Playin’ With My Friends: Bennett Sings The Blues, is available from iTunes.

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