The Year of Tony Bennett

An Appreciation of the Art and Music of Tony Bennett

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Song of the Day: This Heart of Mine

The song of the day for Tuesday, December 27, 2016 is “This Heart of Mine.”

About This Song

Today’s song, “This Heart of Mine,” was written by Harry Warren and Arthur Freed for this 1946 film Zeigfeld Follies. It was introduced by Fred Astaire, who dances with Lucille Bremer in the film.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “This Heart of Mine” in 1964, with Ralph Sharon on piano. This song was an outtake for the album Steppin’ Out and was included on the Rarities, Outtakes and Other Delights, Vol. 2 CD included in the 2011 Complete Collection box set.

This Heart Of Mine

Tony Bennett · Rarities, Outtakes & Other Delights, Vol. 2 · Song · 2012


“This Heart of Mine,” as well as Rarities, Outtakes and Other Delights, Vol. 2, is available from iTunes.

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Song of the Day: Jeepers Creepers

The song of the day for Tuesday, December 13, 2016 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” with Count Basie and His Orchestra in 1959 for their album Basie/Bennett. The arrangement was done by Ralph Sharon.

Jeepers Creepers - 1990 Remix / Remaster

Listen to Jeepers Creepers - 1990 Remix / Remaster on Spotify. Song · Count Basie, Tony Bennett, Tristan Powell · 1959


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

We have a video today that features Jack Teagarden, Ruby Braff and Louis Armstrong playing “Jeepers Creepers,” recorded in 1958.

Jeepers Creepers 1958 Louis Armstrong and Jack Teagarden

The Greatest of Jazz unites yet once again to deliver some more of the Greatest Music in the world.

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Song of the Day: East of the Sun

The song of the day for Monday, December 12, 2016 is “East of the Sun (West of the Moon).”

About This Song

“East of the Sun (West of the Moon)” was written in 1934 by Princeton University student Bruce Bowman for a student musical, Stags At Bay, produced by the Princeton Triangle Club.

The song had great reception and was noted by Princeton alumnus F. Scott Fitzgerald. After his graduation from college in 1936, Bowman worked briefly in Hollywood for the film industry, but decided to return to the East Coast. He was about to start a contract with a New York music publisher when he was killed in an automobile accident in 1937.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “East of the Sun (West of the Moon)” in 1992 for the album Perfectly Frank. He is accompanied by the Ralph Sharon Trio, with Sharon on piano, Paul Langosch on bass, and Joe LaBarbera on drums.

East of the Sun (West of the Moon)

Listen to East of the Sun (West of the Moon) on Spotify. Song · Tony Bennett · 1992


“East of the Sun (West of the Moon),” as well as Perfectly Frank, is available from iTunes.

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Song of the Day: Call Me Irresponsible

The song of the day for Sunday, December 11, 2016 is “Call Me Irresponsible.”

About This Song

“Call Me Irresponsible” was written in 1962 by Jimmy Van Heusen, with lyrics by Sammy Cahn.
The song was originally written for Fred Astaire to sing in the movie Papa’s Delicate Condition. However, due to contractual obligations, the role went to Jackie Gleason, who introduced the song. “Call Me Irresponsible” won the 1964 Academy Award for Best Original Song.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “Call Me Irresponsible” in 1992 for his album Perfectly Frank, consisting of songs associated with his good friend Frank Sinatra. The arrangement is from Ralph Sharon and Bennett is accompanied by the Ralph Sharon Trio, featuring Sharon on piano, Paul Langosch on bass and Joe LaBarbera on drums.

Call Me Irresponsible

Listen to Call Me Irresponsible on Spotify. Song · Tony Bennett · 1992


“Call Me Irresponsible,” as well as Perfectly Frank, is available from iTunes.

About Today

Today we remember the late Frank Sinatra, who was born 101 years ago on December 12, 1915. He certainly is one of America’s greatest singers who, like Tony Bennett, never goes out of style.

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Song of the Day: Falling In Love With Love

The song of the day for Friday, December 9, 2016 is “Falling In Love With Love.”

About This Song

“Falling In Love With Love” was written in 1938 by Richard Rodgers and Lorenz Hart for the Broadway musical The Boys of Syracuse. The song pairs a beautiful Rodgers waltz melody with the adult and rather somber lyric by Hart: in other words, a perfect Rodgers and Hart song.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded this wonderful recording of “Falling In Love With Love” with Ralph Sharon on piano, with an arrangement by Don Costa, in 1965. The song was recorded for Bennett’s 1965 album If I Ruled The World: Songs For the Jet Set, but was not included on the final LP. It was added for the 1997 CD re-release.

Falling In Love With Love

Tony Bennett · If I Ruled The World: Songs For The Jet Set · Song · 1965


“Falling In Love With Love,” as well as If I Ruled The World: Songs For the Jet Set, is available from iTunes.