The Year of Tony Bennett

An Appreciation of the Art and Music of Tony Bennett

By Leave a Comment

Song of the Day: Are You Having Any Fun

The song of the day for Saturday, March 19, 2022, is “Are You Having Any Fun.”

About This Song

“Are You Having Any Fun” was written by. Jack Yellen and Sammy Fain for the 1939 George White’s Scandals. George White produced these Broadway revues from 1919 to 1939. Stars introduced in his Scandals include Bert Lahr, Ethel Merman, Ray Bolger, and The Three Stooges.

About This Version

Tony Bennett and The Count Basie Orchestra recorded “Are You Having Any Fun” in 1959 for their first album: Basie/Bennett. Ralph Sharon wrote the arrangement.

“Are You Having Any Fun,” as well as Basie/Bennett is available on Apple Music.

By Leave a Comment

Song of the Day: Poor Little Rich Girl

The song of the day for Wednesday, March 16, 2022, 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” with The Count Basie Orchestra in 1959 for his first album with Count Basie: Basie/Bennett. Ralph Sharon wrote the arrangement

“Poor Little Rich Girl,” as well as Basie/Bennett is available on Apple Music.

By Leave a Comment

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

The song of the day for Sunday, March 13, 2022, 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 of Judy Garland, who recorded it in 1940. Other recordings include those by Tony Bennett, Ella Fitzgerald, and Frank Sinatra.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded this version of “I Wish I Were In Love Again” in 1992 for his album Perfectly Frank. It was arranged by Ralph Sharon.

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

By Leave a Comment

Song of the Day: Lazy Afternoon

The song of the day for Friday, March 4, 2022, is “Lazy Afternoon.”

About This Song

“Lazy Afternoon” was written by Jerome Moss and John LaTouche for the 1954 musical The Golden Apple, which uses mythological Greek characters from Ulysses but is set in the state of Washington (at Mount Olympia, of course) in the United States. This song, as well as the entire score, is quite beautiful.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “Lazy Afternoon” in 1957 for The Beat Of My Heart. For this album, Bennett invited percussionists to play; “Lazy Afternoon” features Chico Hamilton. Ralph Sharon wrote the arragements.

“Lazy Afternoon,” as well as The Beat Of My Heart is available on Apple Music.

By Leave a Comment

Song of the Day: Growing Pains

The song of the day for Saturday, February 26, 2022, is “Growing Pains.”

About This Song

“Growing Pains” was written by Arthur Schwartz and Dorothy Fields for the 1951 Broadway musical A Tree Grows in Brooklyn, based on the 1943 novel of the same name by Betty Smith.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “Growing Pains” in 1959 with The Count Basie Orchestra for the album Basie Swings/Bennett Sings, released on the Roulette label. Ralph Sharon wrote the arrangment.

“Growing Pains,” as well as Basie Swings/Bennett Sings is available on Apple Music.