The Year of Tony Bennett

An Appreciation of the Art and Music of Tony Bennett

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Song of the Day: Evenin’

The song of the day for Tuesday, January 31, 2023, is “Evenin’.”

About This Song

“Evenin'” was written in 1934 by Harry White and Mitchell Parrish. White was a musician with several of the great jazz bands: Cab Calloway, Louis Armstrong and Duke Ellington. Mitchell Parrish was the lyricist for numerous Duke Ellington songs, though much of his work was attributed to Irving Mills, for whom he worked. “Evenin’” was published by Mills.

About This Version

Tony Bennett and Ray Charles recorded “Evenin'” in May 2001 for Playin’ With My Friends: Bennett Sings The Blues. Featured on this record are Harry Allen on saxophone and Mike Melvoin on the Hammond B3 organ.

“Evenin’,” as well as Playin’ With My Friends: Bennett Sings The Blues is available on Apple Music.

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Song of the Day: Everybody Has The Blues

The song of the day for Thursday, November 17, 2022, is “Everybody Has The Blues.”

About This Song

“Everybody Has The Blues” was written by James Taylor in 1976. Taylor is one of the great singer-songwriters of the last 50 years. In addition to today’s song, he also wrote “You’ve Got A Friend” and “Carolina In My Mind.”

About This Version

Tony Bennett and Ray Charles recorded “Everybody Has The Blues” in 1985. The recording was released in 1986 on The Art of Excellence.

“Everybody Has The Blues,” as well as The Art of Excellence is available on Apple Music.

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Playlist of the Week: Tony Sings with the Guys, Part 1

The playlist of the week starting June 16, 0219, is Tony Sings with the Guys, Part 1.

Tony Sings with the Guys, Part 1

This playlist contains some of Tony early duets with male singers.

Let the Good Times Roll, with B.B. King, from Playin’ With My Friends

New York State of Mind, with Billy Joel, from Playin’ With My Friends

Cold, Cold Heart, with Tim McGraw, from Duets: An American Classic

Everyday I Have The Blues, with Stevie Wonder, from Playin’ With My Friends

The Boulevard of Broken Dreams, with Sting, from Duets: An American Classic

The Shadow of Your Smile, with Juanes, from Duets: An American Classic

The Very Thought of You, with Paul McCartney, from Duets: An American Classic

I Wanna Be Around, with Bono, from Duets: An American Classic

Evenin’, with Ray Charles, from Playin’ With My Friends

Rags to Riches, with Elton John, from Duets: An American Classic

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Song of the Day: The Brightest Smile in Town

The song of the day for Monday, July 23, 2018 is “The Brightest Smile in Town.”

About This Song

“The Brightest Smile in Town” was written in 1963 by Barry De Vorzon, Bob Sherman and Ray Charles.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “The Brightest Smile in Town” in 1964 for the album Who Can I Turn To. George Siravo wrote the arrangement.

The Brightest Smile In Town (feat. The Ralph Sharon Trio)

Listen to The Brightest Smile In Town (feat. The Ralph Sharon Trio) on Spotify. Song · Tony Bennett, Ralph Sharon Trio · 1964


“The Brightest Smile in Town,” as well as Who Can I Turn To, is available from iTunes.

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Song of the Day: Everybody Has The Blues

The song of the day for Friday, September 23, 2016 is “Everybody Has The Blues.”

About This Song

James Taylor wrote “Everybody Has the Blues” in 1976. Taylor is one of America’s great singer-songwriters of the last fifty years. In addition to “Everybody Has the Blues,” his songs include “You’ve Got a Friend” and “Carolina In My Mind.”

About This Version

Tony Bennett and Ray Charles recorded this duet in 1985 for Bennett’s album The Art of Excellence.

Everybody Has The Blues

Listen to Everybody Has The Blues on Spotify. Song · Tony Bennett · 1986


“Everybody Has The Blues,” as well as The Art of Excellence, is available from iTunes.

About Today

The Year of Tony Bennett is pleased to dedicate today’s song to the late Ray Charles, who was born on September 23, 1930 in Albany, Georgia and raised in Greenville, Florida. Charles attended school at the Florida School for the Deaf and the Blind in St. Augustine from 1937 to 1945, which is where he developed his love of and talent for music. He came into prominence in the 1950s as a soul music artist. He wrote and recorded steadily throughout his career and until his death in 2004.

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