The Year of Tony Bennett

An Appreciation of the Art and Music of Tony Bennett

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Song of the Day: She’s Funny That Way

The song of the day for Friday, October 5, 2019, is “She’s Funny That Way.”

About This Song

“She’s Funny That Way” was written in 1928 by Neil Moret and Richard Whiting. Whiting’s daughter is the late Margaret Whiting, a noted singer and cabaret artist.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “She’s Funny That Way” in 1967 for the album Tony Makes It Happen! The album was arranged and conducted by the great Marion Evans.

Tony Bennett - She"s Funny That Way (I Got a Woman Crazy for Me) (Official Audio)

Tony Bennett performing "She"s Funny That Way (I Got a Woman Crazy for Me)" Listen to Tony Bennett: https://TonyBennett.lnk.to/listenYD Subscribe to the official Tony Bennett YouTube channel: https://TonyBennett.lnk.to/subscribeYD Follow Tony Bennett: Facebook: https://TonyBennett.lnk.to/followFI Instagram: https://TonyBennett.lnk.to/followII Twitter: https://TonyBennett.lnk.to/followTI Website: https://TonyBennett.lnk.to/followWI Spotify: https://TonyBennett.lnk.to/followSI YouTube: https://TonyBennett.lnk.to/subscribeYD Chorus: I"m not much to look at

“She’s Funny That Way,” as well as Tony Makes It Happen!, is available from iTunes.

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Song of the Day: She’s Funny That Way

The song of the day for Thursday, April 9, 2015 is “She’s Funny That Way.”

About This Song

“She’s Funny That Way” was written in 1928 by Charles N. Daniels, writing as Neil Moret, (music) and Richard Whiting (lyrics). Richard Whiting is the father of the noted singer Margaret Whiting. The song has been widely recorded over the years; Billie Holiday’s versions are among the most popular.

About This Version

Tony Bennett first recorded this song in 1967 for Tony Makes It Happen!, arranged by Marion Evans. Today’s version is, of course, from the 1997 Tony Bennett On Holiday. our album of the month in our tribute to Billie Holiday. The arrangement by Jorge Calendrelli focuses primarily on Ralph Sharon’s piano, with sweet and subtle strings in the background. It is a wonderful sound for this album.

She"s Funny That Way (I Got a Woman Crazy for Me)

Listen to She"s Funny That Way (I Got a Woman Crazy for Me) on Spotify. Song · Tony Bennett · 1997

“She’s Funny That Way,” as well as Tony Bennett On Holiday, is available from iTunes.

About Billie Holiday’s Version

Billie Holiday recorded “He’s Funny That Way” several times between 1937 and 1954. We’ve heard some of very early work so far this month, so thought we could move to later in her career. The session for this recording was held on July 27, 1952 and is listed as Billie Holiday and Her Lads of Joy. The lads include Oscar Peterson (piano), Joe Newman (trumpet), Paul Quinchette (tenor sax), Freddie Green (guitar), Ray Brown (bass) and Gus Johnson (drums).

One of the reasons I love this version so much is that she sings the verse, which I had never heard before until the recording. I’m a sucker for the verse — it makes the chorus all the sweeter.

He"s Funny That Way

Listen to He"s Funny That Way on Spotify. Song · Billie Holiday · 2005

“He’s Funny That Way,” as well as Lady In Autumn: The Best of the Verve Years, is available from iTunes.

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Song of the Day: She’s Funny That Way

The song of the day for Thursday, August 8, 2013 is “She’s Funny That Way.”

About This Song

“She’s Funny That Way” was written in 1929 by Neil Moret, with lyrics by Richard Whiting, father of the singer Margaret Whiting. It was the only time that Whiting wrote lyrics for any songwriter other than himself. The song was one of the early “crooner” songs and was originally recorded by Gene Austin, who, along with Cliff “Ukulele Ike” Edwards, were two of the first crooners using that new invention of the condenser microphone.

About This Version

Today’s song is from Tony Bennett On Holiday: A Tribute to Billie Holiday, released in 1997. Bennett won the Grammy Award for Best Traditional Pop Vocal Performance for this album. The cover features Bennett’s portrait of Billie Holiday.

http://open.spotify.com/track/4vXfn1ld04YZNBLdXKx5l9
“She’s Funny That Way,” as well as the album Tony Bennett on Holiday: A Tribute to Billie Holiday, is available from iTunes.

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Song of the Day: Sleepy Time Gal

The song of the day for Thursday, July 18, 2013 is “Sleepy Time Gal.”

About This Song

“Sleepy Time Gal” was written in 1925 by Richard Whiting with lyrics by Raymond Egan, Joseph Alden and Ange Lorenzo. The song concerns a young wife who would rather stay up all night and dance when her husband yearns for nights at home, just the two of them.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded this song in 1965 for the album A Time For Love, released in 1966. “Sleepy Time Gal” was arranged and conducted by Johnny Mandel and features some very nice cornet work from Bobby Hackett and some great ukulele.

http://open.spotify.com/track/5XlapgCDRf5fZkhkQA9zXA
“Sleepy Time Gal,” as well as the album A Time For Love, is available from iTunes.