The Year of Tony Bennett

An Appreciation of the Art and Music of Tony Bennett

By Leave a Comment

Song of the Day: A Sleepin’ Bee

The song of the day for Saturday, February 20, 2021, is “A Sleeping’ Bee.”

About This Song

“A Sleeping’ Bee” was written by Harold Arlen and Truman Capote for the 1954 musical House of Flowers, based on the Truman Capote novella. Set in Haiti, the production featured a trio of steel drummers (more precisely known as pannists) from Trinidad.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “A Sleeping’ Bee” with Ralph Sharon in 1959 for their album Tony Sings For Two, released in 1961.

A Sleepin’ Bee – Remastered

Listen to A Sleepin’ Bee – Remastered on Spotify. Tony Bennett · Song · 1961.

“A Sleeping’ Bee,” as well as Tony Sings For Two, is available from Apple Music.

By Leave a Comment

Song of the Day: The Man That Got Away

The song of the day for Monday, February 15, 2021, is “The Man That Got Away.”

About Today

Today The Year of Tony Bennett begins a week dedicated to songwriter Harold Arlen, who was born as Hyman Arluck on February 15, 1905. The song of a cantor, Harold Arlen quickly became one of America’s best songwriters. We’ll spending this week exploring some of his songs.

About This Song

“The Man That Got Away” by Harold Arlen and Ira Gershwin was written for Judy Garland for the 1954 version of A Star Is Born, with James Mason. Her performance of the song is legendary in film history, with 27 takes in three days, three separate sessions, and two different directors. The filmed scene is brilliant and made the song a huge hit for Garland, who sang it in most of her concerts.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “The Man That Got Away” on October 28, 1959, with Ralph Sharon. The singer and the pianist booked the studio for themselves–no other musicians. Sharon brought in a briefcase full of sheet music. They’d look at a song and decide if they wanted to record it. After finding the right key with Bennett, Sharon would work out an arrangement in just a few minutes and then they’d record the song.They recorded 16 songs in that session, 12 of which made it to the album Tony Sings For Two, which Columbia didn’t release until February 1961.

The Man That Got Away – Remastered

Listen to The Man That Got Away – Remastered on Spotify. Tony Bennett · Song · 1961.

“The Man That Got Away,” as well as Tony Sings For Two, is available from Apple Music.

How can I play “The Man That Got Away” with also including this video?

By Leave a Comment

Song of the Day: I Left My Heart in San Francisco

The song of the day for Saturday, February 13, 2021, is “I Left My Heart in San Francisco.”

About This Song

“I Left My Heart in San Francisco” was written in 1953 by two homesick songwriters, George Cory and Douglass Cross.

This song is, of course, Tony Bennett’s signature song. It actually became that quite by accident. As Bennett’s musical director, songwriters were constantly giving Ralph Sharon copies of their songs. Cross and Cory had done that and Sharon had stuck the song in a drawer and forgotten all about it. In 1961, he and Bennett were heading out on tour, which included a stop in San Francisco at The Venetian Room at the Fairmont Hotel on Nob Hill. Sharon came across the music and thought it might be a nice local number for the San Francisco audience. After a performance in Hot Springs, Arkansas, they found a piano and started to work on the song a bit. An early fan was the bartender, who said that he’d buy the first copy if they ever decided to record it. Of course, “I Left My Heart in San Francisco” was a huge hit at the performance and in January, 1962, Bennett recorded it and released it on a 45 RPM record on the B-side to “Once Upon a Time.” But gradually, “I Left My Heart in San Francisco” started getting all the airplay and it became a major hit for Bennett, winning him his first Grammy Award. It is his signature song and is beloved by all of his fans.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “I Left My Heart in San Francisco” on January 23, 1962. It was released in little over a week as a single, and was the anchor for the album I Left My Heart in San Francisco. The song was arranged by Marty Manning.

Tony Bennett won the Grammy Awards for Record of the Year and for Best Solo Vocal Performance, male, for this recording.

The San Francisco Giants play “I Left My Heart in San Francisco” after every winning game at home.

(I Left My Heart) In San Francisco

Listen to (I Left My Heart) In San Francisco on Spotify. Tony Bennett · Song · 1962.

“I Left My Heart in San Francisco,” as well as the album I Left My Heart in San Francisco, is available from Apple Music.

Here’s Tony on the Judy Garland television program, singing today’s song … Judy joins in too!

By Leave a Comment

Song of the Day: Jeepers Creepers

The song of the day for Thursday, February 11, 2021, is “Jeepers Creepers.”

About This Song

“Jeepers Creepers” was written by Harry Warren and Johnny Mercer for the 1938 movie Going Places, which featured Louis Armstrong as a trumpet-playing horse trainer. It has been recorded by Bing Crosby and, of course, Louis Armstrong.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “Jeepers Creepers” in 1959 for his album with Count Basie and His Orchestra, Basie/Bennett. Ralph Sharon wrote the arrangement.

Jeepers Creepers – 1990 Remix / Remaster

Listen to Jeepers Creepers – 1990 Remix / Remaster on Spotify. Count Basie · Song · 1959.

“Jeepers Creepers,” as well as Basie/Bennett, is available from Apple Music.

By Leave a Comment

Song of the Day: Until I Met You

The song of the day for Sunday, February 7, 2021, is “Until I Met You.”

About This Song

“Until I Met You” was written in 1956 by Freddie Green and Donald E. Wolf. This song is also known as “Corner Pocket.” Freddie Green played rhythm guitar for the Count Basie Orchestra for fifty years. This song has also been recorded by Duke Ellington, Count Basie, and Sarah Vaughan, among others.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “Until I Met You” in 1962 for the album On The Glory Road, which was to be released in 1962, but was cancelled. This recording was included on the 1963 album I Wanna Be Around. The song was arranged by Ralph Sharon.

Fortunately, On The Glory Road was finally released in 2011 Complete Collection box set of Tony Bennett albums.

Until I Met You – Remastered

Listen to Until I Met You – Remastered on Spotify. Tony Bennett · Song · 1962.

“Until I Met You,” as well as On The Glory Road, is available from Apple Music.

Subscribe to The Year of Tony Bennett

Enter your email address to subscribe to this blog and receive notifications of new posts by email.

Current Reader Favorites