The Year of Tony Bennett

An Appreciation of the Art and Music of Tony Bennett

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Song of the Day: Taking a Chance on Love

The song of the day for Wednesday, May 10, 2023, is “Taking a Chance on Love.”

About This Song

“Taking a Chance on Love” was written by Vernon Duke, with lyrics by John LaTouche and Ted Fetter, 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 both jazz singers and instrumentalists, with significant recordings by Dave Brubeck, Tony Bennett, Judy Garland, and Dizzy Gillespie.

About This Version

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

Originally, the album was meant to use recordings of Tony Bennett and Count Basie and His Band at club dates they did after their first album. Unfortunately, there were some issues with the recordings, so they rerecorded the songs in the studio.

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

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Song of the Day: East of Sun

The song of the day for Monday, May 8, 2023, is “East of Sun (And West of the Moon).”

About This Song

“East of Sun (And West of the Moon)” was written in 1934 by Brooks Bowman. Bowman wrote “East of the Sun” while a student at Princeton University for a student musical production called Stags at Bay, produced by the Princeton Triangle Club. The song had a great reception and was noted by Princeton alumnus F. Scott Fitzgerald. After his graduation from college in 1936, he 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 Sun (And West of the Moon)” in June 1992 in his tribute album to his friend Frank Sinatra: Perfectly Frank. Bennett recorded this album with The Ralph Sharon Trio, with Sharon on piano, Paul Langosch on bass, and Joe LaBarbera on drums. Sharon wrote the arrangement.

Perfectly Frank won the 1993 Grammy Award for Best Traditional Pop Vocal Performance.

“East of Sun (And West of the Moon),” as well as Perfectly Frank is available on Apple Music.

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Song of the Day: Top Hat, White Tie and Tails

The song of the day for Sunday, May 7, 2023, is “Top Hat, White Tie and Tails.”

About This Song

Irving Berlin wrote “Top Hat, White Tie and Tails” for the 1935 film Top Hat, starring Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers. The song was introduced by Mr. Astaire. The film is widely considered to be one of the best of the RKO Astaire and Rogers films; the American Film Institute ranked it 15th on its list of best musicals.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “Top Hat, White Tie and Tails” in July 1993 for his album Steppin’ Out, consisting of songs associated with Fred Astaire. Mr. Bennett and Ralph Sharon wrote the arrangement.

Steppin’ Out won the 35th Grammy Award for Best Traditional Pop Vocal Performance.

“Top Hat, White Tie and Tails,” as well as Steppin’ Out is available on Apple Music.

And of course, we have Mr. Astaire introducing today’s song in the 1935 film Top Hat:

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Song of the Day: I Wish I Were In Love Again

The song of the day for Saturday, April 22, 2023, is “I Wish I Were In Love Again.”

About This Song

“I Wish I Were In Love Again” was written by Richard Rodgers and Larry Hart for the 1937 musical Babes in Arms. It was a favorite song for Judy Garland, who recorded it in 1940. Other recordings include those by Tony Bennett, Ella Fitzgerald, Frank Sinatra, and Audra McDonald.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “I Wish I Were In Love Again” in June 1992 for his album Perfectly Frank. Ralph Sharon wrote the arrangement.

“I Wish I Were In Love Again,” as well as Perfectly Frank is available on Apple Music.

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Song of the Day: When Lights Are Low

The song of the day for Wednesday, April 19, 2023, is “When Lights Are Low.”

About This Song

“When Lights Are Low” was written by Benny Carter and Spencer Williams in 1936, when both artists were living and working in Europe. Carter was the staff arranger at BBC during that time.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “When Lights Are Low” on March 26, 1964, for the album When Lights Are Low. Ralph Sharon wrote the arrangement.

“When Lights Are Low,” as well as the album When Lights Are Low is available on Apple Music.