The Year of Tony Bennett

An Appreciation of the Art and Music of Tony Bennett

By Leave a Comment

Song of the Day: Snowfall

On the 5th day of a Tony Bennett Christmas, the song of the day for Friday, December 18, 2020, 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 a thing as cool jazz. It’s an evocative and moody song, and quite beautiful.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “Snowfall” in 1968 and released it that year on Snowfall: The Tony Bennett Christmas Album. Robert Farnon arranged and conducted the album.

Snowfall

Tony Bennett · Snowfall - The Tony Bennett Christmas Album · Song · 1968

“Snowfall,” as well as the album of the same name, is available from Apple Music.

By Leave a Comment

Song of the Day: The Christmas Song

On the second day of a Tony Bennett Christmas, the song of the day for Tuesday, December 15, 2020, 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. Tormé and Wells were trying to think cold Christmasy thoughts in an effort to cool off. The entire song was written forty 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 1967; it was released the next year on the album Snowfall: The Tony Bennett Christmas Album. Robert Farnon conducted the orchestra and wrote the arrangement.

The Christmas Song (Chestnuts Roasting on an Open Fire)

Listen to The Christmas Song (Chestnuts Roasting on an Open Fire) on Spotify. Song · Tony Bennett · 1968

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

By Leave a Comment

Song of the Day: Maybe This Time

The song of the day for Thursday, December 3, 2020, is “Maybe This Time.”

About This Song

“Maybe This Time” was written by John Kander and Fred Ebb in 1963. The song 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” in 1972 for the album With Love. Robert Farnon wrote the arrangement and conducted the orchestra.

Maybe This Time

Listen to Maybe This Time on Spotify. Song · Tony Bennett · 1972

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

By Leave a Comment

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.

By Leave a Comment

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.

Subscribe to The Year of Tony Bennett

Enter your email address to subscribe to this blog and receive notifications of new posts by email.

Current Reader Favorites