The Year of Tony Bennett

An Appreciation of the Art and Music of Tony Bennett

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Song of the Day: Undecided Blues

The song of the day for Tuesday, March 5, 2024, is “Undecided Blues.”

About This Song

“Undecided Blues” was written in 1941 by blues shouter Jimmy Rushing (also known as Five-by-Five, due to his stature). Rushing was born in Oklahoma City into a musical family; his father was a trumpet player and his mother was a singer. He started his career as an itinerant blues singer in the early 1920s. He sang with Jelly Roll Morton and other early jazz orchestras before joining the Bennie Moten band in 1929. When Moten died in 1935, he joined the Count Basie Orchestra, which was his home for many years. Rushing, with the Count Basie Orchestra, first recorded “Undecided Blues” in 1941.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “Undecided Blues” in May 2001 for his album Playin’ With My Friends: Bennett Sings the Blues. Rob Mathes wrote the arrangement and Gray Sargent, a member of the Ralph Sharon Quartet, was featured on guitar.

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

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Song of the Day: Stormy Weather

The song of the day for Tuesday, February 6, 2024, is “Stormy Weather.”

About Today

We remember the late Natalie Cole, born on February 6, 1950, daughter of singer and jazz pianist Nat “King” Cole. Cole won her first Grammy in 1975 for Best New Artist Of The Year and Best R&B Vocal Performance, Female for “This Will Be.” Natalie Cole died on December 31, 2015.

About This Song

“Stormy Weather” was written by Harold Arlen and Ted Koehler in 1933; the song was first sung at the Cotton Club by Ethel Waters. Lena Horne, who sang with Tony Bennett in the 1970s, recorded it in 1941 and remains strongly associated with this song. It has also been recorded by Kay Starr, Billie Holiday, Frank Sinatra, and Ella Fitzgerald.

About This Version

Tony Bennett and Natalie Cole recorded “Stormy Weather” in June 2001 for the album Playin’ With My Friends: Bennett Sings the Blues. It was arranged by Rob Mathes.

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

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Song of the Day: New York State of Mind

The song of the day for Sunday, January 28, 2024, is “New York State of Mind.”

About This Song

Billy Joel wrote “New York State of Mind” in 1976 and performed it regularly in his concerts. It’s been recorded by many great artists, including Carmen McRae, Barbra Streisand. and Mel Tormé

About This Version

Tony Bennett and Billy Joel recorded “New York State of Mind” in June 2001 for the album Playin’ With My Friends: Bennett Sings The Blues. Rob Mathes wrote the arrangement.

“New York State of Mind,” as well as Playin’ With My Friends: Bennett Sings The Blues, is available on Apple Music.

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Song of the Day: Undecided Blues

The song of the day for Saturday, May 13, 2023, is “Undecided Blues.”

About This Song

“Undecided Blues” was written in 1941 by blues shouter Jimmy Rushing (also known as Five-by-Five, due to his stature). Rushing was born in Oklahoma City into a musical family; his father was a trumpet player and his mother was a singer. He started his career as an itinerant blues singer in the early 1920s. He sang with Jelly Roll Morton and other early jazz orchestras before joining the Bennie Moten band in 1929. When Moten died in 1935, he joined the Count Basie Orchestra, which was his home for many years. Rushing with the Count Basie Orchestra first recorded “Undecided Blues” in 1941.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “Undecided Blues” in May 2001 for his album Playin’ With My Friends: Bennett Sings The Blues. Rob Mathes wrote the arrangement.

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

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Song of the Day: I’m Confessing

The song of the day for Friday, December 10, 2021, is “I’m Confessing.”

About This Song

“I’m Confessing (That I Love You)” was written in 1930 by Doc Dougherty, Ellis Reynolds, and Al J. Neiburg. The song had a somewhat odd start. It was first known as “Lookin’ for Another Sweetie,” with lyrics credited to Chris Smith and Sterling Grant, and was recorded by Fats Waller in 1929. Al Neiburg wrote the new lyrics and the song was recast in 1930 with its current title. Louis Armstrong made the first recording of it in 1930, and in spite of many other recordings, it remains strongly identified with Armstrong.

About This Version

Tony Bennett and k.d. lang recorded “I’m Confessing” in 2002 for their album A Wonderful World, consisting of songs made famous by Louis Armstrong. Vocal arrangements were by Rob Mathes. The album was orchestrated and conducted by Peter Matz, with musical direction and arrangements by Lee Musiker.

“I’m Confessing,” as well as A Wonderful World is available on Apple Music.

Here is Armstrong’s 1930 recording: