The Year of Tony Bennett

An Appreciation of the Art and Music of Tony Bennett

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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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Song of the Day: Snowfall

The song of the day for December 14, 2021, the first day of The Twelve Days of a Tony Bennett Christmas, is “Snowfall.”

About This Song

“Snowfall” was written in 1941 by Claude and Ruth Thornhill. It’s an unusual song: it’s a cool jazz song, though written in 1941, long before there was such as thing as cool jazz. It’s an evocative and moody song, though quite beautiful.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “Snowfall” on October 1, 1968, for the album Snowfall: The Tony Bennett Christmas Album. It was arranged by Robert Farnon.

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

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Song of the Day: Maybe This Time

The song of the day for Friday, October 21, 2022, is “Maybe This Time.”

About This Song

“Maybe This Time,” written by John Kander and Fred Ebb in 1963, appeared in the film version of Cabaret. It was not written for the original Broadway production. Nor was it written especially for the film version; Kander and Ebb had written the song in 1963 for Kaye Ballard. It was therefore not eligible for consideration for an Academy Award. The song is, of course, widely associated with Liza Minnelli, who sang it in the film version of Cabaret. Tony Bennett sings the song regularly at his concerts.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “Maybe This Time” on February 26, 1972, in London for his album With Love. Robert Farnon wrote the arrangement and conducted the orchestra.

“Maybe This Time,” as well as With Love is available on Apple Music.

Tony Bennett sang this song at every concert of his I ever attended and it was always a highlight for me. Today, I’m happy to present “Maybe This Time” from his appearance at the iTunes Festival in London in 2010.

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