The Year of Tony Bennett

An Appreciation of the Art and Music of Tony Bennett

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Song of the Day: Without A Song

The song of the day for Thursday, December 5, 2024, is “Without A Song.”

About This Song

“Without A Song” was written in 1926 by Vincent Youmans (music) and Billy Rose and Edward Eliscu (lyrics). It was written for the 1929 musical Great Day. It has been recorded by artists from Perry Como to Mario Lanza to Frank Sinatra. Great Day was set in 19th-century Louisiana; as a result, some of the lyrics have been changed over time to remove currently objectionable language.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “Without A Song” on September 12, 1956, for Bennett’s second album Tony, released in 1957.

“Without A Song,” as well as Tony, is available on Apple Music.

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Song of the Day: These Foolish Things

The song of the day for Tuesday, July 16, 2024, is “These Foolish Things.”

About This Song

“These Foolish Things” was written in 1936 by Jack Strachey and Eric Maschitz (as Holt Marvell). This song was not an immediate hit. In fact, Maschwitz’ agent refused to publish the song and so Maschwitz himself did. There were several fine recordings in the 1930s, including one by Billie Holiday with the Teddy Wilson Orchestra and Benny Goodman. In the 1950s, the song became even more popular, with recordings by Artie Shaw, Nat King Cole, Art Pepper and Johnny Hartman. “These Foolish Things” ranks #28 on jazzstandards.com and is widely played and recorded.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “These Foolish Things” on September 12, 1956, for his second album Tony, released in 1957. It was arranged by Ray Conniff. FYI, Doc Severinsen played trumpet on this recording.

“These Foolish Things,” as well as Tony, is available on Apple Music.

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Song of the Day: These Foolish Things

The song of the day for Tuesday, September 12, 2023, is “These Foolish Things.”

About Today

Today’s song was recorded 67 years ago today on September 12, 1956.

About This Song

“These Foolish Things” was written in 1936 by Jack Strachey and Eric Maschwitz (writing as Holt Marvell due to recording contract issues). The song was not an immediate hit. In fact, Maschwitz’ agent refused to publish the song and so Maschwitz himself did. There were several fine recordings in the 1930s, including one by Billie Holiday with the Teddy Wilson Orchestra and Benny Goodman. In the 1950s, the song became even more popular, with recordings by Artie Shaw, Nat King Cole, Art Pepper, and Johnny Hartman.” These Foolish Things” ranks #28 on jazzstandards.com and is still widely played and recorded.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “These Foolish Things” on September 12, 1956, for his album Tony, which was released in 1957. Ray Conniff wrote the arrangement and conducted the orchestra.

“These Foolish Things,” as well as Tony, is available on Apple Music.

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Song of the Day: Love Walked In

The song of the day for Friday, July 29, 2022, is “Love Walked In.”

About This Song

“Love Walked In” was written in 1930 by George Gershwin; the lyrics by Ira Gershwin weren’t added until 1937 for the movie The Goldwyn Follies, released in 1938. There have been many fine recordings, including those by Ella Fitzgerald, Louis Armstrong, Bing Crosby, and Artie Shaw.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “Love Walked In” on September 12, 1956, with an arrangement by Ray Conniff. It was released in 1957 on the album Tony.

“Love Walked In,” as well as Tony is available on Apple Music.

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Album of the Week: Tony

The album of the week starting on January 9, 2022, is Tony.

 

Tony is Tony Bennett’s second full-length studio album.  In Tony, we see first-hand Tony Bennett’s love of the American Songbook. This album features many great songs from composers including Irving Berlin, Duke Ellington, Jimmy McHugh, Harry Warren, Kurt Weill, and the Gershwins. Most of the songs from this album, such as It Had To Be You, These Foolish Things, I’ll Be Seeing You and Always are songs that he still sings today in concert. Tony has two distinct sound profiles: the numbers arranged by Ray Conniff (mostly Side One, plus Always from Side Two) feature a big band sound, while the Percy Faith numbers have a lusher sound with more strings. He is joined on this album by guitarist Chuck Wayne, whom he worked with on Cloud 7; on Tony, Wayne provides a wonderful guitar accompaniment to Lost in the Stars.

Release Date January 14, 1957
Label Columbia
Producer Mitch Miller
Vocals Tony Bennett
Arrangements Ray Conniff, Percy Faith

Listen to Tony

You can also listen to Tony on: