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The Year of Tony Bennett

An Appreciation of the Art and Music of Tony Bennett

January 2, 2021 By Suzanne Leave a Comment

Song of the Day: Give Me The Simple Life

The song of the day for Sunday, January 3, 2020, is “Give Me The Simple Life.”

About This Song

“Give Me The Simple Life” was written in 1946 by Rube Bloom and Harry Ruby for the film Wake Up and Dream, which starred John Payne and June Haver.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “Give Me The Simple Life” in 1954 for his first full-length LP, Cloud 7, released in 1955. . Jazz critic Thom Jurek said that “The mood is nocturnal, elegant, amorous, hip.” As a first album by a young singer (Bennett was not even 30 when he made Cloud 7), it’s a remarkable album that defined Bennett not only as a vastly popular singer, but a jazz artist with impeccable taste and true vision of his own artistry.

Give Me The Simple Life

Listen to Give Me The Simple Life on Spotify. Tony Bennett · Song · 1955.

“Give Me The Simple Life,” as well as Cloud 7, is available from Apple Music.

Filed Under: Song of the Day Tagged With: Cloud 7, Harry Ruby, Rube Bloom, Tony Bennett

November 20, 2020 By Suzanne Leave a Comment

Song of the Day: Day In, Day Out

The song of the day for Saturday, November 21, 2020, is “Day In, Day Out.”

About This Song

“Day In, Day Out,” written by Rube Bloom and Johnny Mercer, has been a favorite of vocalists since it was written in 1939. The tune itself is also rather unusual at 56 measures long. In American Popular Song, Alec Wilder notes that “the melodic line soared and moved across the page like a lovely brush stroke. And it had, remarkable for any pop song, passion.” It has been recorded by many of the finest vocalists, including Ella Fitzgerald, Nat “King” Cole, Billie Holiday, Judy Garland, Frank Sinatra, Mel Tormé, and Margaret Whiting.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “Day In, Day Out” in 1992 for his album Perfectly Frank. Ralph Sharon wrote the arrangement.

Day In, Day Out

Listen to Day In, Day Out on Spotify. Tony Bennett · Song · 1992.

“Day In, Day Out,” as well as Perfectly Frank, is available from Apple Music.

Filed Under: Song of the Day Tagged With: Johnny Mercer, Perfectly Frank, Ralph Sharon, Rube Bloom, Tony Bennett

August 4, 2020 By Suzanne Leave a Comment

Song of the Day: Give Me The Simple Life

The song of the day for Wednesday, August 5, 2020, is “Give Me The Simple Life.”

About This Song

“Give Me The Simple Life” was written by Rube Bloom and Harry Ruby in 1946 for the film Wake Up and Dream, which starred John Payne and June Haver.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “Give Me The Simple Life” in 1954 for Bennett’s first album, Cloud 7, released in 1955. The arrangement was by Charles Panely. I believe that it’s worth noting that his first full-length album was a jazz album and reflected the singer he was then and still is now: a solid jazz singer.

“Give Me The Simple Life,” as well as Cloud 7, is available from Apple Music.

Filed Under: Song of the Day Tagged With: Charles Panely, Cloud 7, Harry Ruby, Rube Bloom, Tony Bennett

July 1, 2020 By Suzanne Leave a Comment

Song of the Day: Don’t Worry ‘Bout Me

The song of the day for Thursday, July 1, 2020, is “Don’t Worry ‘Bout Me.”

About This Song

“Don’t Worry ‘Bout Me” was written in 1933 by Rube Bloom and Ted Koehler and introduced in the Cotton Club Parade – World’s Fair Edition. It’s a beautiful song about the loss of love.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “Don’t Worry ‘Bout Me” in 1961 for the album My Heart Sings. Ralph Burns wrote the arrangement and conducted; previously had worked with Tony on one of my favorites: Hometown, My Town. There were exceptional musicians on this album, including Milt Hinton, Eddie Costa, Mundell Lowe, and Bernie Jenkins.

“Don’t Worry ‘Bout Me,” as well as My Heart Sings, is available from Apple Music.

Filed Under: Song of the Day Tagged With: My Heart Sings, Ralph Burns, Rube Bloom, Ted Koehler, Tony Bennett

February 24, 2020 By Suzanne Leave a Comment

Song of the Day: Give Me the Simple Life

The song of the day for Tuesday, February 25. 2020, is “Give Me the Simple Life.”

About This Song

“Give Me the Simple Life” was written by Rube Bloom and Harry Ruby for the 1946 film Wake Up and Dream, which starred John Payne and June Haver.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “Give Me the Simple Life” for his first full-length LP, Cloud 7, released 65 years ago this month. The arranger was Charles Panely, who also plays the very nice trumpet on this recording.

Having signed with Columbia Records in 1950, he had turned out a number of hit singles including “Boulevard of Broken Dreams,” “Sing You Sinners,” “Cold, Cold Heart,” and “Because of You,” Cloud 7 was the album that he had wanted to make–a solid jazz long-playing album with a solid group of jazz musicians.

Jazz critic Thom Jurek said that “The mood is nocturnal, elegant, amorous, hip.” As a first album by a young singer (Bennett was not even 30 when he made Cloud 7), it’s a remarkable album that defined Bennett not only as vastly popular singer, but a jazz artist with impeccable taste and true vision of his own artistry.

“Give Me the Simple Life,” as well as Cloud 7, is available from iTunes.

Filed Under: Song of the Day Tagged With: Charles Panely, Cloud 7, Harry Ruby, Rube Bloom, Tony Bennett

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