The Year of Tony Bennett

An Appreciation of the Art and Music of Tony Bennett

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Song of the Day: Day Dream

The song of the day for Wednesday, April 28, 2021, is “Day Dream.”

About This Song

“Day Dream” was written by Billy Strayhorn and Duke Ellington, with lyrics by John LaTouche. Acknowledged to have been written solely by Strayhorn, “Day Dream” is a lovely song with a strong Strayhorn touch, enhanced by the thoughtful lyrics by John LaTouche. The first recording was in 1941 and featured Johnny Hodges on saxophone and Billy Strayhorn on piano. Other notable recordings include this one by Tony Bennett, Betty Carter, Ella Fitzgerald, and Sarah Vaughan.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded this version of “Day Dream” in 1964 with Herbie Hancock (piano), Stan Getz (tenor sex), Ron Carter (bass), and Elvin Jones (drums).

Day Dream

Listen to Day Dream on Spotify. Tony Bennett · Song · 2012.

“Day Dream,” as well as all of the songs on Rarities, Outtakes & Other Delights, Vol. 1, is available from Apple Music.

Here’s the original 1941 recording with Johnny Hodges and Strayhorn on piano:

Day Dream

Listen to Day Dream on Spotify. Johnny Hodges · Song · 1961.

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Song of the Day: Out Of This World

The song of the day for Thursday, March 4, 2021, is “Out Of This World.”

About This Song

“Out Of This World” was written by Harold Arlen and Johnny Mercer for the 1945 movie of the same name. Out Of This World starred Eddie Bracken; however, Bing Crosby dubbed the vocals for Bracken and introduced the song. Alec Wilder was a fan of this song, praising its ethereal quality and the excellent lyrics by Mercer.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “Out Of This World” with a superb jazz quartet: Herbie Hancock (piano), Stan Getz (tenor sax), Ron Carter (bass), and Elvin Jones (drums). It’s just as great a recording as you can imagine with all that talent. This song, as well as a few others with the quartet, are on Rarities, Outtakes & Other Delights, Vol. 1.

Out of This World

Listen to Out of This World on Spotify. Tony Bennett · Song · 2012.

“Out Of This World,” as well as Rarities, Outtakes & Other Delights, Vol. 1, is available from Apple Music.

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Song of the Day: Out Of This World

The song of the day for Wednesday, November 18, 2020, is “Out Of This World.”

About Today

Today we are celebrating the birthday of one of the great songwriters — John Herndon Mercer, born on November 18, 1909, in Savannah, Georgia. I think the Great American Songbook might not have been as great if Johnny Mercer hadn’t become a songwriter. We’ll be featuring songs written by Johnny Mercer for the next week or so.

About This Song

“Out Of This World” was written in 1944 by Harold Arlen and Johnny Mercer for the film of the same name. Out Of This World starred Eddie Bracken; however, Bing Crosby dubbed the vocals for Bracken and introduced the song. Alec Wilder was a fan of this song, praising its ethereal quality and the excellent lyrics by Mercer.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded this version of “Out Of This World” in 1964 with a world-class jazz quartet: Herbie Hancock (piano), Stan Getz (tenor sax), Ron Carter (bass), and Elvin Jones (drums). This recording, as well as others recorded with this quartet, was not released on an album. However, these songs were included in the 2011 Complete Collection box set on Rarities, Outtakes & Other Delights, Vol. 1.

Out of This World

Listen to Out of This World on Spotify. Tony Bennett · Song · 2012.

“Out Of This World,” as well as the other recordings on Rarities, Outtakes & Other Delights, Vol. 1, is available from Apple Music.

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Song of the Day: Danny Boy

The song of the day for Tuesday, March 17, 2020, is “Danny Boy.”

Happy St. Patrick’s Day, everyone!

About This Song

The tune for “Danny Boy” is “Londonderry Air,” a tune popular in the Irish diaspora. It was first collected in 1885, but pre-dates that quite a bit; it is referred to as an “ancient air.” The lyrics were written in 1912by a Bath lawyer named Frederic Weatherly. The song is widely sung on Irish holidays.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “Danny Boy” in 1964 with Herbie Hancock (piano), Stan Getz (tenor sax), Ron Carter (bass) and Elvin Jones (drums). This recording, as well as several others with Hancock and the rest, are included Rarities, Outtakes & Other Delights, Vol. 1.

“Danny Boy,” as well as Rarities, Outtakes & Other Delights, Vol. 1, is available from iTunes.

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Song of the Day: Day Dream

The song of the day for Wednesday, July 24, 2019, is “Day Dream.”

About This Song

“Day Dream” was written in 1941 by Billy Strayhorn and Duke Ellington, with lyrics by John LaTouche. Acknowledged to have been written solely by Strayhorn, “Day Dream” is a lovely song with a strong Strayhorn touch, enhanced by the thoughtful lyrics by John LaTouche. The first recording was in 1941 and featured Johnny Hodges on saxophone and Billy Strayhorn on piano. Other notable recordings include this one by Tony Bennett, Betty Carter, Ella Fitzgerald, Frank Sinatra, and Sarah Vaughan.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded this version of “Day Dream” in 1964 with Herbie Hancock, Stan Getz, Ron Carter, and Elvin Jones. Bennett and these four fine musicians recorded several other songs, which are included on Rarities, Outtakes & Other Delights, Vol. 1.

Day Dream – 2011 Remaster

Day Dream – 2011 Remaster, a song by Tony Bennett on Spotify

“Day Dream,” as well as Rarities, Outtakes & Other Delights, Vol. 1, is available from iTunes.

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