The Year of Tony Bennett

An Appreciation of the Art and Music of Tony Bennett

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Song of the Day: Country Girl

The song of the day for Monday, June 26, 2023, is “Country Girl.”

About This Song

“Country Girl” was written by Robert Farnon in 1966. Farnon was born in Canada and was a composer, conductor, arranger, and trumpet player. He composed both light classical and popular music, as well as film and television scores. Robert Farnon worked with Tony Bennett on several albums, including the wonderful 1968 Snowfall.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “Country Girl” on November 26, 1966, for the album Tony Makes It Happen! Marion Evans wrote the arrangement and conducted the orchestra.

“Country Girl,” as well as Tony Makes It Happen!, is available on Apple Music.

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Twilight World

The song of the day for Monday, March 20, 2023, is “Twilight World.”

About Today

We are remembering a great jazz pianist, Marian McPartland, who was born on March 19, 1918, in Slough, England. In addition to being a very fine jazz pianist, she was also a composer and writer. She introduced jazz to an entire generation with her weekly program on PBS, Marian McPartland’s Piano Jazz, that ran from 1970 to 2010.

Happy birthday to Marian McPartland!

About This Song

“Twilight World” was written in 1957 by Marian McPartland, with lyrics by Johnny Mercer. This ballad by Marian McPartland has proven to be one of her most enduring and popular songs. The tune itself is a lovely mid-tempo ballad, often played in a bossa nova style. The lyrics by Johnny Mercer are quite good, and the combination makes for a nearly perfect jazz song. Tony Bennett said “well, that song will last forever. It’s a beautiful song.”

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “Twilight World” on October 1, 1971, and released the following year on the album With Love. It was arranged by Robert Farnon.

“Twilight World,” as well as With Love is available on Apple Music.

Tony Bennett was a guest on Piano Jazz in 2004. We are pleased to present the full recording. It’s a lovely show.

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Song of the Day: Snowfall Medley

The song of the day for Friday, December 24, 2022, the 11th day of The Twelve Days of a Tony Bennett Christmas, is a medley of Christmas songs.

About This Song

The songs in this medley are:

  • “We Wish You a Merry Christmas”
  • “Silent Night”
  • “O Come, All Ye Faithful
  • “Jingle Bells”
  • “Where Is Love?”

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded this medley of songs on October 1, 1968, for Snowfall: The Tony Bennett Christmas Album. Robert Farnon wrote the arrangement.

This medley, as well as Snowfall: The Tony Bennett Christmas Album is available on Apple Music.

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Song of the Day: The Christmas Song

The song of the day for Monday, December 19, 2022, the sixth day of The Twelve Days of a Tony Bennett Christmas, is “The Christmas Song.”

About This Song

“The Christmas Song” was written by Mel Tormé and Robert Wells in 1944. Sometimes known by its first line ‘Chestnuts roasting on an open fire,” this song was written on a very hot summer day and Tormé and Wells were trying to think cold Christmasy thoughts in an effort to cool off. The entire song was written in 40 minutes and is one of America’s most classic Christmas songs. The first recording was by Nat King Cole in 1946.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “The Christmas Song” in June 1967 and released in 1968 on Snowfall: The Tony Bennett Christmas Album. It was arranged by Robert Farnon.

“The Christmas Song,” as well as Snowfall: The Tony Bennett Christmas Album is available on Apple Music.

And here’s that Nat Cole recording:

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Song of the Day: Winter Wonderland

The song of the day for December 16, 2021, the third day of The Twelve Days of a Tony Bennett Christmas, is “Winter Wonderland.”

About This Song

“Winter Wonderland” was written in 1934 by Felix Barnard and Richard B. Smith. The lyricist, Richard Smith, Smith wrote this song after a snowfall covered his hometown of Honesdale, Pennsylvania. It is a beloved holiday song, even though the lyrics do not explicitly mention Christmas.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “Winter Wonderland” on October 1, 1968, and released that year on the album Snowfall: The Tony Bennett Christmas Album. It was arranged by Robert Farnon.

“Winter Wonderland,” as well as Snowfall: The Tony Bennett Christmas Album is available on Apple Music.

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