The Year of Tony Bennett

An Appreciation of the Art and Music of Tony Bennett

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Song of the Day: I’ve Got Just About Everything

The song of the day for Monday, April 12, 2021, is “I’ve Got Just About Everything.”

About This Song

Written by the marvelous jazz pianist and composer Bob Dorough, “I’ve Got Just About Everything” is a true joy to listen to. In his liner notes for Forty/Fifty Years: The Artistry of Tony Bennett, Bennett says that “this one explains how a singer feels when he sings a song everyone likes.” This song has been recorded by composer Dorough, Ann Hampton Calloway, and even Tuck and Patti.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “I’ve Got Just About Everything” in 1964 for his album When Lights Are Low, featuring a Ralph Sharon arrangement. The Ralph Sharon Trio backs Bennett on this album, with Sharon on piano, Hal Gaylord on bass, and Billy Exiner on drums. Gaylord’s bass is especially good on this cut.

I"ve Got Just About Everything

Listen to I"ve Got Just About Everything on Spotify. Song · Tony Bennett · 1964

“I’ve Got Just About Everything,” as well as When Lights Are Low, is available from Apple Music.

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Song of the Day: Isn’t This a Lovely Day

The song of the day for Sunday, April 4, 2021, is “Isn’t This a Lovely Day.”

About This Song

“Isn’t This a Lovely Day” was written by Irving Berlin for the Fred Astaire / Ginger Rogers movie Top Hat. In the film, Astaire and Rogers are caught in a rainstorm while sitting in an outdoor gazebo. The song was introduced by Fred Astaire. This song has also been recorded by Ella Fitzgerald, Louis Armstrong, Diana Krall, Jeri Southern, and Tony Bennett.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “Isn’t This a Lovely Day” in 1987 for his album Bennett/Berlin. Backing Bennett is the Ralph Sharon Trio, featuring Sharon on piano, Paul Langosch on bass, and Joe LaBarbera on drums.

Isn"t This a Lovely Day

Listen to Isn"t This a Lovely Day on Spotify. Song · Tony Bennett · 1987

“Isn’t This a Lovely Day,” as well as Bennett/Berlin, is available from Apple Music.

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Song of the Day: Where or When

The song of the day for Thursday, April 1, 2021, is “Where or When.”

About This Song

“Where or When” was written by Richard Rodgers and Lorenz Hart for the 1937 musical Babes in Arms. Benny Goodman recorded “Where or When” in 1941 with a very young Peggy Lee. It is a favorite song of many vocalists and has had many fine recordings.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “Where or When” with Ralph Sharon for their 1961 album Tony Sings For Two.

Where or When

Listen to Where or When on Spotify. Song · Tony Bennett · 1961

“Where or When,” as well as Tony Sings For Two, is available from Apple Music.

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Song of the Day: You Go To My Head

The song of the day for Tuesday, March 30, 2021, is “You Go To My Head.”

About This Song

“You Go To My Head” was written in 1938 by J. Fred Coots and Haven Gillespie. Written by the same songwriting team that gave us “Santa Claus is Coming To Town,” “You Go to My Head” is a well-respected popular song. In American Popular Song, Alec Wilder called it “a phenomenon” and “a minor masterpiece.” Al Gioia in The Jazz Standards notes that “this song comes closer than any tune I know to capturing in musical form the feeling of losing control.”

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded this version of “You Go To My Head” in 1992 for his album Perfectly Frank. Ralph Sharon wrote the arrangement.

You Go to My Head

Listen to You Go to My Head on Spotify. Song · Tony Bennett · 1992

“You Go To My Head,” as well as Perfectly Frank, is available from Apple Music.

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Song of the Day: Street of Dreams

The song of the day for Thursday, March 18, 2021, is “Street of Dreams.”

About This Song

“Street of Dreams” was written in 1932 by Victor Young and Sam M. Lewis. The song has a classic depression-era sense, where love is one of the few things that may be impossible for those with money, but “no one is poor as long as love is sure.” Bing Crosby was the first singer to record “Street of Dreams”, though the Russ Columbo recording was also popular.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “Street of Dreams” with Ralph Sharon for their legendary (and impeccable) album Tony Sings For Two. The entire album was recorded on October 28, 1959 (under the protest of Bennett’s producer Mitch Miller), though the album wasn’t released until February 6, 1961. It is very close to perfect in every way.

Street of Dreams

Listen to Street of Dreams on Spotify. Song · Tony Bennett · 1961

“Street of Dreams,” as well as Tony Sings For Two, is available from Apple Music.