The Year of Tony Bennett

An Appreciation of the Art and Music of Tony Bennett

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Song of the Day: In A Mellow Tone

The song of the day for Friday, January 27, 2021, is “In A Mellow Tone.”

About This Song

“In A Mellow Tone” was written in 1939 by Duke Ellington, with lyrics by Milt Gabler. It was based on the 1917 song “Rose Room” by Art Hickman and Harry Williams. The song is a favorite of both vocal and instrumental jazz performers, including Tony Bennett, Paul Gonsalves, Oscar Peterson, Coleman Hawkins, Ella Fitzgerald, and Annie Ross.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “In A Mellow Tone” in May 1999 for Bennett Sings Ellington: Hot & Cool, with an arrangement by Ralph Burns. The recording gives everyone in the quartet a chance to shine: Ralph Sharon, piano; Gray Sargent, guitar; Paul Langosch, bass; and Clayton Cameron, drums. Wynton Marsalis is featured on trumpet.

“In A Mellow Tone,” as well as Bennett Sings Ellington: Hot & Cool is available on Apple Music.

We’ve got Ellington’s 1958 instrumental recording of today’s song, from his album Blues In Orbit. Featured musicians include Johnny Hodges, Paul Gonsalves, Harry Carney, and Sam Woodyard.

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Song of the Day: Swinging on a Star

The song of the day for Wednesday, January 18, 2023, is “Swinging on a Star.”

About This Song

“Swinging on a Star” was written in 1944 by the songwriting team of Jimmy Van Heusen and Johnny Burke. It was written for the movie Going My Way, starring Bing Crosby, and won the Academy Award for Best Original Song for that year. Crosby recorded a very successful version of the song in 1944. Other recordings include those by Rosemary Clooney, Burl Ives, and Ruby Braff, among many others.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “Swinging on a Star” in June 1998 for his album The Playground. The Ralph Sharon Quartet accompanied Mr. Bennett on this album. In addition to Sharon on piano, the quartet featured Paul Langosch on bass; Gray Sargent on guitar; and Clayton Cameron on drums. This album marks the first time Gray Sargent recorded with Tony Bennett.

“Swinging on a Star,” as well as The Playground is available on Apple Music.

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Song of the Day: Fly Me To The Moon

The song of the day for Thursday, January 5, 2023, is “Fly Me To The Moon.”

About This Song

“Fly Me To The Moon” was written in 1954 by Bart Howard. The song was originally titled “In Other Words,” but the song was not doing that well, in spite of several recordings. In 1962, Howard renamed the song “Fly Me To The Moon,” and the song began to catch on. Tony Bennett’s 1965 recording for If I Ruled The World was a big hit for Bennett. There have been many recordings of the song, including those by Frank Sinatra, Kaye Ballard, and many more. However, Bart Howard told Bennett that his 1965 recording was “the definitive performance of this song.”

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “Fly Me To The Moon” on April 12, 1994, for MTV’s Unplugged. The MTV Unplugged album was released in June of that year. The songs from the televised concert were arranged by Tony Bennett and the Ralph Sharon Trio.

“Fly Me To The Moon,” as well as MTV Unplugged is available on Apple Music.

Here’s the recording of “Fly Me To The Moon” from the MTV television performance.

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Song of the Day: Speak Low

The song of the day for Wednesday, January 4, 2023, is “Speak Low.”

About This Song

“Speak Low” was written by Kurt Weill and Ogden Nash for the 1943 musical One Touch of Venus, where it was introduced by Mary Martin and Kenny Baker. In addition to several very fine Tony Bennett recordings, “Speak Low” has been widely recorded by jazz and popular performers, including Ella Fitzgerald, Billie Holiday, and Lena Horne.

About This Version

Tony Bennett and his trio recorded “Speak Low” live on April 12, 1994, for MTV Unplugged. Bennett and Ralph Sharon wrote the arrangement.

“Speak Low,” as well as MTV Unplugged is available on Apple Music.

Here’s video from the television presentation.

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Song of the Day: Old Devil Moon

The song of the day for Tuesday, January 3, 2023, is “Old Devil Moon.”

About This Song

“Old Devil Moon” was written by Burton Lane and Yip Harburg for the 947 musical Finian’s Rainbow, which also gave us “How Are Things in Glocca Morra?” While Alec Wilder was no fan of “How Are Things in Glocca Morra?”, in America Popular Song, he praises “Old Devil Moon” as “a well-written, wholly convincing song. It drives, and its initial intensity is sustained throughout.”

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “Old Devil Moon” live on April 12, 1994, for MTV Unplugged. Bennett was accompanied by his trio: Ralph Sharon on piano, Doug Richeson on bass, and Clayton Cameron on drums.

“Old Devil Moon,” as well as MTV Unplugged is available on Apple Music.

We have video of this performance:

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