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The Year of Tony Bennett

An Appreciation of the Art and Music of Tony Bennett

May 1, 2023 By Suzanne Leave a Comment

Song of the Day: Thou Swell

The song of the day for Tuesday, May 2, 2023, is “Thou Swell.”

About Today

Today is the anniversary of the birth of Lorenz Hart who, with Richard Rodgers, wrote some of greatest songs in American Songbook. Hart was born in New York City on May 2, 1895. He met Rodgers in 1919 while attending Columbia University. In their 20 year partnership, they wrote the scores for 26 Broadway musicals, including Babes In Arms, The Boys From Syracuse, Pal Joey, and On Your Toes. Hart died from alcholism on November 22, 1943.

About This Song

“Thou Swell” was written by Richard Rodgers and Larry Hart in 1927 for the Broadway musical A Connecticut Yankee, based on the Mark Twain novel A Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur’s Court. “Thou Swell” is one of more charming songs from the musical, as the lyrics feature a combination of modern and medieval language: “thine eyes are cute too” and “I’d feel so rich in a hut for two.”

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “Thou Swell” in July 1973 with The Ruby Braff/George Barnes Quartet, with Braff on trumpet, Barnes and Wayne Wright on guitar, and John Guiffrida on bass. “Thou Swell” was released in 1977 on Tony Bennett Sings More Great Rodgers & Hart on Bennett’s Improv label.

Bennett wrote in The Good Life: The Autobiography of Tony Bennett:

My main focus in late 1973 became the brilliant trumpet playing of Ruby Braff. I’d known Ruby since 1951 when I first played Chicago. Ruby heard George Barnes and Bucky Pizzarelli playing at the St. Regis Hotel in New york, and he sat in with the two guitarists. He loved the way that combination sounded, and suggested to George that they start a group. They gradually worked out a lineup of two guitars, a trumpet, and a bass.

When I first heard about this group, I had to check them out. I thought they were great, and Ruby said to me, “Why don’t come and sing a couple of tunes with us, and relax for a while.” I did two special concerts at Alice Tully Hall in New york. Ruby and George played the first half instrumentally, and then I came out in the second half and sing with them–two entire evenings of Rodgers and Hart. Two weeks later I recorded twenty-four Rodgers and Hart songs with Ruby and George, with Frank Laico as engineer. It was later released as Tony Bennett: The Rodgers & Hart Songbook.

“Thou Swell,” as well as Tony Bennett: The Rodgers & Hart Songbook is available on Apple Music.

Filed Under: Song of the Day Tagged With: A Connecticut Yankee, Happy Birthday Lorenz Hart, John Guiffrida, Lorenz Hart, Richard Rodgers, The Ruby Braff/George Barnes Quartet, Tony Bennett, Tony Bennett Sings More Great Rodgers & Hart, Tony Bennett: The Rodgers & Hart Songbook, Wayne Wright

April 21, 2023 By Suzanne 2 Comments

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.

Filed Under: Song of the Day Tagged With: Babes in Arms, Larry Hart, Perfectly Frank, Ralph Sharon, Richard Rodgers, Tony Bennett

April 10, 2023 By Suzanne Leave a Comment

Song of the Day: I Could Write a Book

The song of the day for Tuesday, April 11, 2023, is “I Could Write a Book.”

About This Song

“I Could Write a Book” was written by Richard Rodgers and Larry Hart for the Broadway musical Pal Joey, where it was introduced by Gene Kelly and Leila Ernst. This has always been an interesting song. Today it’s considered a lovely romantic number, but in the context of the musical, it’s sung as a phony love song in order to woo the innocent ingenue. It’s been widely recorded by artists including Frank Sinatra, Rosemary Clooney, Betty Carter, Anita O’Day, and Ella Fitzgerald.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “I Could Write a Book” in July 1973 for Tony Bennett Sings 10 Rodgers & Hart Songs, released on Bennett’s Improv label in 1976.

“I Could Write a Book,” as well as Tony Bennett Sings the Rodgers & Hart Songbook is available on Apple Music.

Filed Under: Song of the Day Tagged With: Larry Hart, Pal Joey, Richard Rodgers, Tony Bennett, Tony Bennett Sings 10 Rodgers & Hart Songs

March 15, 2023 By Suzanne Leave a Comment

Song of the Day: Manhattan

The song of the day for Thursday, March 16, 2023, is “Manhattan.”

About Today

Today we are celebrating the birth of Ruby Braff, one of the leaders of the quartet that played with Tony Bennett for his recordings of Rodgers and Hart in 1970s. You can read more about Braff, who was born on March 16, 1927, on Wikipedia.

About This Song

“Manhattan” was written by Richard Rodgers and Larry Hart in 1925 for the Garrick Gaieties. The song has remained popular up to today and is frequently recorded by jazz and popular singers. In addition to Bennett’s recording, “Manhattan” has been recorded by Blossom Dearie, Ella Fitzgerald, Mel Tormé, and Dinah Washington. It is often used in films, including Silent Movie, Mighty Aphrodite, and The English Patient.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “Manhattan” with The Ruby Braff/George Barnes Quartet in July 1973. The quartet featured Braff on cornet and trumpet, Barnes and Wayne Wright on guitar, and John Guiffrida on bass. The first album of the recordings with the quartet was released in 1976 as Tony Bennett Sings 10 Rodgers & Hart Songs.

“Manhattan,” as well as Tony Bennett Sings the Rogers & Hart Songbook is available on Apple Music.

Filed Under: Song of the Day Tagged With: George Barnes, Larry Hart, Richard Rodgers, Ruby Braff, Tony Bennett, Tony Bennett Sings 10 Rodgers & Hart Songs

February 19, 2023 By Suzanne Leave a Comment

Song of the Day: The Lady is a Tramp

The song of the day for Monday, February 20, 2023, is “The Lady is a Tramp.”

About This Song

“The Lady is a Tramp” was written by Richard Rodgers and Lorenz Hart for the 1937 Broadway musical Babes In Arms, where it was introduced by Mitzi Green. The song was meant as a spoof on the high society of New York, where the singer is clear about what she likes to do, no matter what everyone else is doing. “The Lady Is A Tramp” has been sung by Frank Sinatra, Ella Fitzgerald, and Lena Horne.

About This Version

Tony Bennett and Lady Gaga recorded “The Lady is a Tramp” in 2011 for the album Duets II. It was arranged and conducted by Marion Evans.

Duets II won the 2012 Grammy Award for Best Traditional Pop Album.

“The Lady is a Tramp,” as well as Duets II is available on Apple Music.

Here’s the recording for “The Lady is a Tramp” with Lady Gaga and Tony Bennett:

Filed Under: Song of the Day Tagged With: Duets II, Lady Gaga, Larry Hart, Marion Evans, Richard Rodgers, Tony Bennett

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