The Year of Tony Bennett

An Appreciation of the Art and Music of Tony Bennett

By Leave a Comment

Song of the Day: With Plenty of Money and You

The song of the day for Friday, August 4, 2017 is “With Plenty of Money and You.”

About This Song

“With Plenty of Money and You” was written for the Gold Diggers of 1937, starring Dick Powell and Joan Blondell and choreographed by Busby Berkeley. Interestingly, the score for the film was to have been written by Harold Arlen and Yip Harburg, but Berkeley didn’t like what they had written and brought in Warren and Dubin for this song and several other songs. Some Arlen and Harburg songs were used in the film as well.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “With Plenty of Money and You” in 1959 with Count Basie and His Orchestra for the album Basie/Bennett. The recording was arranged by Ralph Sharon.

With Plenty of Money and You - 1990 Remix / Remaster

Listen to With Plenty of Money and You - 1990 Remix / Remaster on Spotify. Song · Count Basie, Tony Bennett, Tristan Powell · 1959


“With Plenty of Money and You,” as well as Basie/Bennett, is available from iTunes.

By Leave a Comment

Song of the Day: Life is a Song

The song of the day for Tuesday, August 1, 2017 is “Life is a Song.”

About This Song

“Life is a Song” was written in the mid-1930s by Fred Ahlert and Joe Young. It’s been recorded by Ruth Etting and Johnny Mathis, among others.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “Life is a Song” in 1959 with Count Basie and His Orchestra for the album Basie/Bennett. The arrangement was done by Ralph Sharon.

Life Is a Song (Let"s Sing It Together) - 1990 Remix / Remaster

Listen to Life Is a Song (Let"s Sing It Together) - 1990 Remix / Remaster on Spotify. Song · Count Basie, Tony Bennett, Tristan Powell · 1959


“Life is a Song,” as well as Basie/Bennett, is available from iTunes.

By Leave a Comment

Song of the Day: Poor Little Rich Girl

The song of the day for Wednesday, July 26, 2917 is “Poor Little Rich Girl.”

About This Song

“Poor Little Rich Girl” was written by Noël Coward for the 1925 revue On With the Dance. It is one of his most popular songs.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “Poor Little Rich Girl” in 1959 with Count Basie and His Orchestra for the album Basie/Bennett. The terrific arrangement is by Ralph Sharon.

Poor Little Rich Girl - 1990 Remix / Remaster

Listen to Poor Little Rich Girl - 1990 Remix / Remaster on Spotify. Song · Count Basie, Tony Bennett, Tristan Powell · 1959


“Poor Little Rich Girl,” as well as Basie/Bennett, is available from iTunes.

By Leave a Comment

Song of the Day: Just In Time

The song of the day for Monday, July 24, 2017 is “Just In Time.”

About This Song

Composed by Jule Style, with lyrics by Betty Comden and Adolph Green,“Just in Time” is one of the great songs from the 1956 musical Bells Are Ringing, where it was introduced by Judy Holliday and Sidney Chaplin. Holliday and Dean Martin sang it in the 1960 film version of Bells Are Ringing.

About This Version

“Just in Time” was the second song that Bennett sang at his legendary 1962 concert at Carnegie Hall. Originally, an abbreviated version of the concert was released on four LPs, but in 1997 the complete concert was released. This wonderful concert was captured on Tony Bennett at Carnegie Hall. For me, there is nothing better than Tony Bennett singing live and this concert was the first to be captured for release. Ralph Sharon arranged the songs and conducted the orchestra.

Just In Time (From "Bells Are Ringing") - Live at Carnegie Hall, New York, NY - June 1962

Listen to Just In Time (From "Bells Are Ringing") - Live at Carnegie Hall, New York, NY - June 1962 on Spotify. Song · Tony Bennett, Ralph Sharon & His Orchestra · 1962


“Just In Time,” as well as Tony Bennett At Carnegie Hall, is available from iTunes.

By Leave a Comment

Song of the Day: One For My Baby (And One More For The Road)

The song of the day for Friday, July 14, 2017 is “One For My Baby (And One More For The Road).”

About This Song

“One For My Baby (And One More For The Road)” was written by Harold Arlen and Johnny Mercer for the 1943 film The Sky’s The Limit, where it was introduced by Fred Astaire. Arlen called this song one of his “tapeworms,” as at 48 bars it was longer than the standard 32 bar popular song. Alec Wilder, in American Popular Song, says that “the honors must go the lyric. … Just imagine having the acuity and courage to start a song, as Mercer does, with “It’s a quarter to three”!

About This Version

I can’t remember the last time I featured a Harold Arlen song, which means that’s it been way too long since I featured one. And who better than Johnny Mercer writing the lyrics.

Today I chose Bennett’s 1992 version from Perfectly Frank, arranged and accompanied by Ralph Sharon.

One for My Baby (And One More for the Road)

Listen to One for My Baby (And One More for the Road) on Spotify. Song · Tony Bennett · 1992


“One For My Baby (And One More For The Road),” as well as Perfectly Frank, is available from iTunes.