The Year of Tony Bennett

An Appreciation of the Art and Music of Tony Bennett

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Song of the Day: Spring Is Here

The song of the day for March 21, 2044 (the first full day of Spring), is “Spring Is Here.”

About This Song

“Spring Is Here” was written by Richard Rodgers and Larry Hart for the 1938 film I Married An Angel, where it was introduced by Dennis King and Vivienne Segal. It’s one of Hart’s saddest lyrics, where the coming of Spring has no meaning, as his love is gone. But rather than a sad, depressing song, with the lovely melody by Rodgers, the song has sweet poignancy.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “Spring Is Here” with The Ruby Braff/George Barnes Quartet in July 1973 for Tony Bennett Sings 10 Rodgers & Hart Songs.

“Spring Is Here,” as well as Tony Bennett Sings The Rodgers & Hart Songbook, is available on Apple Music.

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

The song of the day for Saturday, March 15, 2024, is “I Wish I Were In Love Again.”

About Today

We are remembering Ruby Braff on the anniversary of his birth on March 16, 1927. Braff was a noted cornet and trumpet player. Braff, with The Ruby Braff/George Barnes Quartet, played for Tony Bennett’s two albums of Rodgers and Hart songs: Tony Bennett Sings 10 Rodgers and Hart Songs and Tony Bennett Sings More Great Rodgers & Hart, both released on Bennett’s own Improv label in 1973.

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, Frank Sinatra, and Audra McDonald.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “I Wish I Were In Love Again” in July 1973 with The Ruby Braff/George Barnes Quartet (Braff on cornet, George Barnes and Wayne Wright on guitar, and John Guiffrida on bass), for Tony Bennett Sings More Great Rodgers and Hart, released in 1973.

In 1973 Tony Bennett and The Ruby Braff/George Barnes Quartet did a concert at Alice Tully Hall in New York. Whitney Balliett wrote a profile essay called “A Quality That Lets You In” for the January 7, 1974, issue of The New Yorker. Here’s an excerpt:

The concert at Alice Tully the next evening is billed as “An Evening with Rodgers and Hart,” and it is a smooth and engaging success. The hall is sold out, and the audience is hip. Bennett sings the verses of most of the songs and by the time he gets a note or two into the chorus there is the applause of recognition. He sings twenty-one Rodgers-and-Hart tunes, and many are memorable. He sings a soft, husky “Blue Moon,” and then comes a muted Ruby Braff solo. “There’s a Small Hotel” is even softer, and Braff and George Barnes react with pianissimo statements. The group, indeed, is impeccable. The solos are beautiful and the dynamics all anticipate Bennett’s. He does “I Left My Heart in San Francisco” as an encore. The ovation is long and standing.

“I Wish I Were In Love Again,” as well as Tony Bennett Sings The Rodgers & Hart Songbook, is available on Apple Music.

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Song of the Day: My Funny Valentine

The song of the day for Monday, February 26, 2024, is “My Funny Valentine.”

About This Song

“My Funny Valentine” was written by Richard Rodgers and Larry Hart for the 1937 Broadway musical Babes in Arms, where it was introduced by Mitzi Green. This ballad is one of the most-loved songs in the American songbook and has been sung by most jazz and cabaret artists. In addition to Tony Bennett’s excellent recordings of this song, others include those by Chet Baker, Frank Sinatra, and Miles Davis.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “My Funny Valentine” sixty years ago today on February 26, 1964, for his album A Time For Love. Ralph Sharon wrote the arrangement and with the rest of his trio (Hal Gaylord on bass and Billy Exiner on drums) accompanied Bennett for this recording.

“My Funny Valentine,” as well as A Time For Love, is available on Apple Music.

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Song of the Day: Falling in Love With Love

The song of the day for Tuesday, February 20, 2024, is “Falling in Love With Love.”

About This Song

“Falling in Love With Love” was written by Richard Rogers and Larry Hart for the 1938 Broadway musical The Boys of Syracuse. With the beautiful Rodgers waltz melody and the rather somber lyrics by Hart, it’s a perfect Rodgers and Hart song.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “Falling in Love With Love” on February 19, 1965, featuring an arrangement by Don Costa. While recorded for Bennett’s 1965 album If I Ruled The World: Songs For The Jet Set, it was not included in the original LP release, but was added to the 1997 CD re-release.

“Falling in Love With Love,” as well as If I Ruled The World: Songs For The Jet Set, is available on Apple Music.

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Song of the Day: Thou Swell

The song of the day for Wednesday, January 3, 2024, is “Thou Swell.”

About This Song

“Thou Swell” was written in 1927 by Richard Rodgers and Larry Hart for the musical A Connecticut Yankee, based on the Mark Twain novel A Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur’s Court. “Thou Swell” is one of the 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 for the album Tony Bennett Sings More Great Rodgers & Hart, released in 1977. Bennett was accompanied by the The Ruby Braff/George Barnes Quartet, with Braff on cornet, Barnes and Wayne Wright on guitar, and John Guiffrida on bass.

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