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The Year of Tony Bennett

An Appreciation of the Art and Music of Tony Bennett

May 5, 2016 By Suzanne 3 Comments

Song of the Day: Undecided Blues

The song of the day for Friday, May 6, 2016 is “Undecided Blues.”

About This Song

Jimmy Rushing
Jimmy Rushing

“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 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. Jimmy Rushing died from leukemia in 1972.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “Undecided Blues” in 2001 for his album Playin’ With My Friends: Bennett Sings The Blues. While this album may not be one of Bennett’s better known albums, it’s definitely worth your time to listen. The album is a nice mix of duets with various artists (such as Diana Krall, Ray Charles, Bonnie Raitt and Kay Starr) and Bennett solos as well. It’s a lot of fun to listen to. And believe me, Bennett can sing the blues.

Undecided Blues

Listen to Undecided Blues on Spotify. Tony Bennett · Song · 2001.


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

Filed Under: Song of the Day Tagged With: Jimmy Rushing, Playing' With My Friends: Bennett Sings The Blues

February 6, 2016 By Suzanne Leave a Comment

Song of the Day: Stormy Weather

The song of the day for Saturday, February 6, 2016 is “Stormy Weather.”

About This Song

“Stormy Weather” was written in 1933 by Harold Arlen and Ted Koehler for the Cotton Club, where is was introduced by Ethel Waters. Lena Horne, who sang with Tony Bennett in the 1970s, recorded this song in 1943 and remains strongly associated with it. It has also been recorded by Kay Starr, Billie Holiday, Frank Sinatra and Ella Fitzgerald.

About This Version

Today’s version of “Stormy Weather” the duet sung by Tony Bennett and Natalie Cole on Bennett’s 2001 album Playin’ With My Friends. The vocal arrangement is by Rob Mathes.

Stormy Weather

Listen to Stormy Weather on Spotify. Tony Bennett · Song · 2001.


“Stormy Weather,” as well as Playin’ With My Friends, is available from iTunes.

About Today

Today would have been the 66th birthday of Natalie Cole. I am still somewhat in shock over her death last year and miss her voice–she was a wonderful singer. Happy birthday, Natalie.

It’s also video Saturday. Alas, no videos exist of Ethel Waters singing “Stormy Weather,” but there are recordings and before I offer up a video, I wanted to pay tribute to her 1933 recording of this song that she made famous.

Stormy Weather (Keeps Rainin" All The Time) - 78rpm Version

Listen to Stormy Weather (Keeps Rainin" All The Time) - 78rpm Version on Spotify. Ethel Waters · Song · 1925.

And now … the incomparable Lena Horne from 1943. The featured dancer at the end is Katherine Dunham.

Filed Under: Song of the Day Tagged With: Ethel Waters, Harold Arlen, Lena Horne, Playing' With My Friends: Bennett Sings The Blues, Ted Koehler, The Cotton Club

January 3, 2016 By Suzanne Leave a Comment

Song of the Day: Stormy Weather

The song of the day for Sunday, January 3, 2016 is “Stormy Weather.”

About This Song

“Stormy Weather” was written in 1933 by Harold Arlen and Ted Koehler. Composed during Arlen’s association with Cotton Club, “Stormy Weather” was first sung by Ethel Waters at the Cotton Club in 1933. Lena Horne, who sang with Tony Bennett in the 1970s, recorded this song in 1941 and remains strongly associated with it. It has also been recorded by Kay Starr, Billie Holiday, Frank Sinatra and Ella Fitzgerald.

About This Version

Today’s version of “Stormy Weather” is a duet with Tony Bennett and Natalie Cole from Bennett’s 2001 album Playin’ With My Friends: Bennett Sings The Blues.

I woke up yesterday to the very sad news that Natalie Cole had passed away. The Year of Tony Bennett expresses our sincere condolences to her family and friends. We also celebrate what a great talent she was and that her music will live on with us.

Stormy Weather

Listen to Stormy Weather on Spotify. Tony Bennett · Song · 2001.


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

Filed Under: Song of the Day Tagged With: Harold Arlen, Playing' With My Friends: Bennett Sings The Blues, Ted Koehler

October 30, 2015 By Suzanne Leave a Comment

Song of the Day: Alright, Okay You Win

The song of the day for Friday, October 30, 2015 is “Alright, Okay You Win.”

About This Song

“Alright, Okay You Win” was written in 1955 by Mamie Watts and Sid Wyche for The Count Basie Orchestra and was first recorded by Basie in 1956 featuring vocalist Joe Williams. In addition to the Bennett / Krall recording, this song has been recorded by Peggy Lee, Elvis Presley, Ella Fitzgerald and Bette Midler.

About This Version

Tony Bennett and Diana Krall recorded “Alright, Okay You Win” in May 2001 for the album Playin’ With My Friends. While it may not be one of his best-known albums, it’s a terrific album and is a lot of fun. And if you’re thinking to yourself something like Tony Bennett? Singing the Blues? Well, just give it a good listen and I think you’ll enjoy it. Or your money back.

Alright, Okay, You Win (with Diana Krall)

Listen to Alright, Okay, You Win (with Diana Krall) on Spotify. Tony Bennett · Song · 2001.


“Alright, Okay You Win,” as well as Playin’ With My Friends, is available from iTunes.

Filed Under: Song of the Day Tagged With: 2001, Diana Krall, Mamie Watts, Playing' With My Friends: Bennett Sings The Blues, Sid Wyche, The Count Basie Orchestra

November 24, 2014 By Suzanne Leave a Comment

Song of the Day: Undecided Blues

The song of the day for Monday, November 24, 2014 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 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. Jimmy Rushing died from leukemia in 1972.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “Undecided Blues” for his 2001 album Playin’ With My Friends: Bennett Sings The Blues. You didn’t know Tony Bennett can sing the blues? Well, just give this song and the rest of the album a listen and get back to me.

Undecided Blues

Listen to Undecided Blues on Spotify. Tony Bennett · Song · 2001.


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

Filed Under: Song of the Day Tagged With: Jimmy Rushing, Playing' With My Friends: Bennett Sings The Blues

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