The Year of Tony Bennett

An Appreciation of the Art and Music of Tony Bennett

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Song of the Day: I Could Write a Book

The song of the day for Friday, October 9, 2020, is “I Could Write a Book.”

About This Song

Richard Rodgers and Larry Hart wrote “I Could Write a Book” in 1940 for the Broadway musical Pal Joey, where it was introduced by Gene Kelly and Leila Ernst. This has always been an interesting song. Today it’s considered a lovely romantic number, but in the context of the musical, it’s sung as a phony love song in order to woo the innocent ingenue. It’s been widely recorded by artists including Frank Sinatra, Rosemary Clooney, Betty Carter, Anita O’Day, and Ella Fitzgerald.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “I Could Write a Book” in July 1973 for Tony Bennett Sings 10 Rodgers & Hart Songs, released in 1976 on Bennett’s Improv label. The Rodgers and Hart recordings were made with the Ruby Braff-George Barnes Quartet, which featured Braff on cornet, Barnes and Wayne Wright on guitar, and John Guiffrida on bass. It’s a lovely sound for these songs, even though without piano or drums.

“I Could Write a Book,” as well as Tony Bennett Sings The Rodgers & Hart Songbook, is available from Apple Music.

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Song of the Day: Thou Swell

The song of the day for Thursday, June 28, 2018 is “Thou Swell.”

About This Song

“Thou Swell” was written by Richard Rodgers and Lorenz Hart for the 1927 musical A Connecticut Yankee, based on the Mark Twain novel A Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur’s Court. “Thou Swell” is one of more charming songs from the musical, as the lyrics feature a combination of modern and medieval language: “thine eyes are cute too” and “I’d feel so rich in a hut for two.”

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded this really swell song in 1973 for his remarkable Rodgers and Hart songs recorded for two albums, both released under Bennett’s own label, Improv. This song was released on Tony Bennett Sings More Great Rodgers & Hart.

Why are these songs remarkable? Besides the great material sung by a great singer, The Ruby Braff-George Barnes Quartet was a perfect group for these songs. The group consisted of Braff(cornet), Barnes (guitar), Wayne Wright (also on guitar) and John Guiffrida (bass). No drums, no piano–none of the typical instrumentation for a jazz album. The sound is really perfect, though. I know I return to these songs all the time and I never tire of listening to them.

Thou Swell

Listen to Thou Swell on Spotify. Tony Bennett · Song · 2004.


“Thou Swell,” as well as The Complete Improv Recordidngs, is available from iTunes.

About Today

Today we are celebrating the anniversary of the birth of Richard Rodgers, born on June 28, 1902. In many ways, Rodgers, along with his writing partners, defines the American musical theatre. His history started with Larry Hart, a partnership that lasted from 1919 to 1942. In 1943, Rodgers began his legendary partnership with Oscar Hammerstein. They wrote a string of musicals that are still popular today: Oklahoma, Carousel, South Pacific, and The Sound of Music, with few more as well. One of Oscar Hammerstein’s last wishes before his death in 1960 was for Rodgers to work with Hammerstein’s protegé, Stephen Sondheim, a significant proponent of the modern American Musical. Rodgers’ daughter, Mary Rodgers, composed the score for Once Upon a Mattress. Mary’s son, Adam Guettel, has carried the torch forward as a musical theatre composer for shows including Light in the Piazza. It’s a remarkable legacy that continues to define the modern American musical.

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Song of the Day: There’s A Small Hotel

The song of the day for Thursday, May 25, 2017 is “There’s A Small Hotel.”

About This Song

Originally written by Richard Rodgers and Lorenz Hart in 1935 for the musical Jumbo, “There’s A Small Hotel” was used the next year in On Your Toes, where it was introduced by Ray Bolger and Doris Carson. The song has been recorded by artists including Chet Baker, Josephine Baker, Ella Fitzgerald, Frank Sinatra and Della Reese, in addition to Tony Bennett.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “There’s A Small Hotel” in 1973 and was released on the 1977 album Tony Bennett Sings More Great Rodgers & Hart.

Bennett recorded his two Rodgers and Hart albums with the George Barnes – Ruby Braff Quartet, which featured Braff on cornet, Barnes and Wayne Wright on guitar, and John Guiffrida on bass.
This somewhat unusual quartet, with no piano or drums, is a wonderful sound for these Rodgers and Hart songs–they give a nice period feel to the songs at’s a really lovely set of recordings.

There"s A Small Hotel

Listen to There"s A Small Hotel on Spotify. Tony Bennett · Song · 2004.


“There’s A Small Hotel,” as well as The Complete Improv Recordings, is available from iTunes.

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Song of the Day: Spring Is Here

The song of the day for Friday, April 20, 2017 is “Spring Is Here.”

About This Song

“Spring Is Here” was written by Richard Rodgers and Lorenz Hart for the 1938 film I Married An Angel, where it was introduced by Dennis King and Vivienne Segal. It’s one of Hart’s saddest lyrics, where the coming of Spring has no meaning, as his love is gone. But rather than a sad, depressing song, with the lovely melody by Rodgers, the song has sweet poignancy.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “Spring Is Here” for his own Improv label in 1973. It was released in 1976 for Tony Bennett Sings 10 Rodgers & Hart Songs. For this album, Bennett worked with Ruby Braff – George Barnes Quartet, which featured Braff on cornet, Barnes and Wayne Wright on guitar, and John Guiffrida on bass. The quartet is a lovely sound for these Rodgers and Hart songs and one doesn’t miss the piano and drums at all.

Spring Is Here

Listen to Spring Is Here on Spotify. Tony Bennett · Song · 2004.


“Spring Is Here,” as well as all of the Improv label recordings, collected on The Complete Improv Recordings, is available from iTunes.

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Song of the Day: Thou Swell

The song of the day for Wednesday, February 8, 2017 is “Thou Swell.”

About This Song

“Thou Swell” was written by Richard Rodgers and Lorenz Hart for the 1927 musical A Connecticut Yankee, based on the Mark Twain novel A Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur’s Court. “Thou Swell” is one of more charming songs from the musical, as the lyrics feature a combination of modern and medieval language: “thine eyes are cute too” and “I’d feel so rich in a hut for two.”

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “Thou Swell” in 1973 for his album Tony Bennett Sings More Great Rodgers & Hart, released in 1977. He is accompanied by the fantastic Ruby Braff-George Barnes Quartet, featuring Braff on cornet, Barnes and Wayne Wright on guitar, and John Guiffrida on bass. The combination of Tony Bennett and this quartet is really remarkable.

Thou Swell

Listen to Thou Swell on Spotify. Tony Bennett · Song · 2004.


“Thou Swell,” as well as The Complete Improv Recordings, is available from iTunes.

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