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The Year of Tony Bennett

An Appreciation of the Art and Music of Tony Bennett

November 5, 2023 By Suzanne Leave a Comment

Song of the Day: Who Cares

The song of the day for Monday, November 6, 2023, is “Who Cares.”

About This Song

“Who Cares” was written by George and Ira Gershwin for the 1931 Broadway musical Of Thee I Sing. It’s one of their very popular songs with many fine recordings, including those by Fred Astaire, Ella Fitzgerald and Judy Garland.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “Who Cares” in July 1993 for his album Steppin’ Out, consisting of songs performed by Fred Astaire. Bennett and Ralph Sharon wrote the arrangement.

“Who Cares,” as well as Steppin’ Out, is available on Apple Music.

Fred Astaire and Benny Goodman recorded “Who Cares” in 1940:

Filed Under: Song of the Day Tagged With: Fred Astaire, George Gershwin, Ira Gershwin, Ralph Sharon, Steppin' Out, Tony Bennett

November 3, 2023 By Suzanne Leave a Comment

Song of the Day: Time After Time

The song of the day for Saturday, November 4, 2023, is “Time After Time.”

About This Song

“Time After Time” was written by Jule Syne and Sammy Cahn in 1947 for the movie It Happened in Brooklyn. The song was introduced by Frank Sinatra and was a major hit for him. This song has been widely recorded by many artists. In his fine book The Jazz Standards, Al Gioia quotes Jule Styne as saying “It’s a man’s song — ‘Time After Time.’ When a woman sings it, it is drained of all its power, so to speak. The girls can’t do it.” Well, tell that to Sarah Vaughan, Ella Fitzgerald, Carmen McRae, Anita O’Day and Cyndi Lauper.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “Time After Time” in June 1992 for his album in tribute to Frank Sinatra, Perfectly Frank. Ralph Sharon wrote the arrangement.

“Time After Time,” as well as Perfectly Frank, is available on Apple Music.

Filed Under: Song of the Day Tagged With: Jule Styne, Perfectly Frank, Ralph Sharon, Sammy Cahn, Tony Bennett

October 30, 2023 By Suzanne Leave a Comment

Song of the Day: Revolvin’ Jones

The song of the day for Tuesday, October 31, 2023, is “Revolvin’ Jones.”

About This Song

“Revolvin’ Jones” was written in 1940 by Will Robison, who met and collaborated with Jack Teagarden. Other well-known Robison songs include “A Cottage For Sale” and “Don’t Smoke in Bed.” In American Popular Song, Alec Wilder wrote that

Everybody loved him and many tried to help him, among them John Mercer. Mildred Bailey revered him and sang every song of his she could lay her hands on. I became aware of him in the late twenties when he recorded for Perfect Records. … He did manage, during his almost euphoric life, to write a few successful songs … but generally his songs were known only to a few singers and lovers of the off-beat and the non-urban song. He had a special flair for gentleness and childhood, the lost and the religious. I suppose it’s not part of the growth of popular music, nor perhaps were any of Robison’s songs. But if they could so much bolster John Mercer’s conviction that there was more to write lyrics about than city life, that the world of memory, of remembered sayings and scenes, was as evocative as the whispered words of lovers, then he did make a contribution.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded Revolvin’ Jones on March 16, 1962, for On The Glory Road, which was to be released in 1962 but was canceled. The song was arranged by Ralph Sharon.

“Revolvin’ Jones,” as well as On The Glory Road, is available on Apple Music.

Filed Under: Song of the Day Tagged With: On The Glory Road, Ralph Sharon, Tony Bennett, Will Robison

October 28, 2023 By Suzanne Leave a Comment

Song of the Day: Taking a Chance on Love

The song of the day for Sunday, October 29, 2023, is “Taking a Chance on Love.”

About This Song

“Taking a Chance on Love” was written by Vernon Duke (music) and John LaTouche and Ted Fetter (lyrics) for the 1940 musical Cabin in the Sky, where it was introduced by the great Ethel Waters and Dooley Wilson. The song works well for jazz singers and instrumentalists, with significant recordings by Dave Brubeck, Tony Bennett, Judy Garland, and Dizzy Gillespie.

About This Version

Tony Bennett, with Count Basie and His Band, recorded “Taking a Chance on Love” on December 30, 1958, for his second album with Count Basie, In Person!, released in 1959. Ralph Sharon wrote the arrangement.

“Taking a Chance on Love,” as well as In Person!, is available on Apple Music.

Filed Under: Song of the Day Tagged With: Count Basie and His Band, John La Touche, Ralph Sharon, Ted Fetter, Tony Bennett, Vernon Duke

October 24, 2023 By Suzanne Leave a Comment

Song of the Day: Crazy Rhythm

The song of the day for Wednesday, October 25, 2023, is “Crazy Rhythm.”

About This Song

“Crazy Rhythm” was written Joseph Meyer, Roger Wolfe Kahn, and Irving Caesar for the 1929 musical Here’s Howe. It’s been a popular standard since it was written and has been heavily recorded, not just by jazz and popular artists, but by other genres including hillbilly. Significant recordings include those by Chet Atkins, Les Paul, Stan Getz, Bing Crosby, Bix Beiderbecke, and Whispering Jack Smith.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “Crazy Rhythm” on June 27, 1957, for his album The Beat of My Heart, with an arrangement by Ralph Sharon. For this album, Bennett invited percussionists to play; this recording featured Chico Hamilton.

“Crazy Rhythm,” as well as The Beat of My Heart, is available on Apple Music.

Filed Under: Song of the Day Tagged With: Chico Hamilton, Irving Caesar, Joseph Meyer, Ralph Sharon, Roger Wolfe Kahn, The Beat of My Heart

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