The Year of Tony Bennett

An Appreciation of the Art and Music of Tony Bennett

By Leave a Comment

Song of the Day: Undecided Blues

The song of the day for Tuesday, May 12, 2026, is “Undecided Blues.”

About This Song

“Undecided Blues” was written by Jimmy Rushing (also known as Mr. Five by Five, due to his stature). Rushing was born in Oklahoma City into to 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 May 2001 for Playin’ With My Friends. Rob Mathes wrote the vocal arrangements.

Playin’ With My Friends won the 2003 Grammy Award for Best Traditional Pop Album.

“Undecided Blues,” as well as Playin’ With My Friends, is available on Apple Music.

We have Rushing’s 1941 recorded “Undecided Blues” with Count Basie and His Orchestra.

By Leave a Comment

Song of the Day: New York State of Mind

The song of the day for Sunday, May 25, 2025, is “New York State of Mind.”

About This Song

“New York State of Mind” was written in 1976 by Billy Joel and has been a mainstay of his concerts since then. It’s been recorded by many great artists, including Carmen McRae, Barbra Streisand. and Mel Tormé.

About This Version

Tony Bennett and Billy Joel recorded “New York State of Mind” in June 2001 for Playin’ With My Friends. Rob Mathes did the vocal arrangements.

“New York State of Mind,” as well as Playin’ With My Friends, is available on Apple Music.

We’ve got a fantastic video of Billy Joel and Tony Bennett performing “New York State of Mind” in a 2008 concert at Shea Stadium:

By Leave a Comment

Song of the Day: Don’t Cry Baby

The song of the day for Tuesday, October 29, 2024, 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 May 2001 for his album Playin’ With My Friends. This recording features Harry Allen on saxophone and Mike Melvoin on the Hammond B3 organ.

“Don’t Cry Baby,” as well as Playin’ With My Friends, is available on Apple Music.

By Leave a Comment

Song of the Day: Let The Good Times Roll

The song of the day for Thursday, August 8, 2024, is “Let The Good Times Roll.”

About This Song

“Let The Good Time Roll,” known as a “jump blues” song, was written in 1946 by Sam Theard, a New Orleans singer and songwriter, with his wife, Fleecie Moore. Residents and visitors to New Orleans may be more familiar with the French version of the saying: Laissez le bon temps rouler. The first recording was in 1946 by Louis Jordan and His Tympany Five. The song charted well on the Billboard R&B chart. Other recordings include those by Ray Charles, George Fame and the Blue Flames, Muddy Waters, and Clifton Chenier. B.B. King recorded “Let The Good Times Roll” in 1999.

About This Version

Tony Bennett and B.B. King recorded “Let The Good Time Roll” in May 2001 for his blues album Playin’ With My Friends.

Playin’ With My Friends won the 2003 Grammy Award for Best Traditional Pop Album.

“Let The Good Times Roll,” as well as Playin’ With My Friends, is available on Apple Music.

By Leave a Comment

Song of the Day: Don’t Cry Baby

The song of the day for Monday, June 12, 2023, 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. 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 May 2001 for his album Playin’ With My Friends: Bennett Sings The Blues. Featured artists on this recording are Harry Allen on saxophone and Mike Melvoin on the Hammond B3 organ.

“Don’t Cry Baby,” as well as Playin’ Withy My Friends: Bennett Sings The Blues is available on Apple Music.