The Year of Tony Bennett

An Appreciation of the Art and Music of Tony Bennett

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Tony Live! Country Girl

The song of the day for Sunday, June 21, 2020, is “Country Girl.”

About This Song

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

About This Version

When Tony Bennett was preparing for his 1971 concert in London, he reached out to Robert Farnon, whom he had worked with on Snowfall, to conduct. Bennett had recorded “Country Girl” for his 1967 album Tony Makes It Happen! and was sure to include it in the concert, as captured on the album Get Happy. The Marion Evans arrangement, also used in 1967, beautifully captured the English countryside.

“Country Girl,” as well as Get Happy, is available from Apple Music.

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Tony Live! Tea For Two

The song of the day for Saturday, June 6, 2020, is “Tea For Two.”

About This Song

“Tea For Two” was written by Vincent Youmans and Irving Caesar for the very popular 1925 musical No, No Nanette. The musical had a very successful revival on Broadway in 1971, which helped to make “Tea For Two” even more popular with the public.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “Tea For Two” with The London Philharmonic Orchestra in concert at The Royal Albert Hall in London. Ralph Burns wrote the arrangement; Robert Farnon was the conductor. The recorded concert was released on the album Get Happy.

“Tea For Two,” as well as Get Happy, is available from iTunes.

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Tony Live! Get Happy

The song of the day for Sunday, May 31, 2020, is “Get Happy.”

About This Song

“Get Happy” was written by Harold Arlen and Ted Koehler for the 1930 The Nine-Fifteen Revue, where it was introduced by Ruth Etting. Most people today are more familiar with Judy Garland’s wonderful song and dance performance in the 1950 movie Summer Stock.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “Get Happy” at his 1971 concert at The Royal Albert Hall in London, recorded and released on the album Get Happy. Robert Farnon conducted the London Philharmonic Orchestra for this concert.

“Get Happy,” as well as Get Happy, is available from iTunes.

If you’re in the mood, here’s the Judy Garland performance from the 1950 movie Summer Stock:

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Tony Live! If I Ruled The World

The song of the day for Saturday, May 30, 2020, is “If I Ruled The World.

About This Song

“If I Ruled The World” was written in 1963 by Cyril Ornadel and Leslie Bricusse for the 1963 West End musical Pickwick, based on Dicken’s The Pickwick Papers. Harry Secombe, the British actor, originated the role of Pickwick and his version of this song charted at #18 in the UK. The production opened in New York in 1965 on Broadway. Tony Bennett’s was one of the earliest American recordings and the song reached #34 on the US pop singles charts.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “If I Ruled The World” on January 31, 1971, at a concert at the Royal Albert Hall in London, England. The noted composer, conductor, and arranger Robert Farnon led The London Philharmonic Orchestra for the concert, which was released on the album Get Happy with The London Philharmonic Orchestra.

“If I Ruled The World,” as well as Get Happy with The London Philharmonic Orchestra, is available from iTunes.

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Song of the Day: Maybe This Time

The song of the day for Friday, May 22, 2020, is “Maybe This Time.

About This Song

“Maybe This Time” was written in 1963 by John Kandor and Fred Ebb. It appeared in the film version of was 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 this song regularly at his concerts.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded this version of “Maybe This Time” in 1972 for the album With Love. Robert Farnon wrote the arrangement.

“Maybe This Time,” as well as With Love, is available from iTunes.

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