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 Monday, April 25, 2022, is “I Could Write a Book.”

About This Song

“I Could Write a Book” was written by Richard Rodgers and Larry Hart 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 1973 with the Ruby Braff-George Barnes Quartet, which feature Braff on cornet, Barnes and Wayne Wright on guitar, and John Guiffrida on bass. The recording was released in 1976 on Tony Bennett Sings 10 Rodgers & Hart Songs.

“I Could Write a Book,” as well as The Complete Improv Recordings is available on Apple Music.

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Song of the Day: Mountain Greenery

The song of the day for Thursday, February 10, 2022, is “Mountain Greenery.”

About This Song

Richard Rodgers and Larry Hart wrote “Mountain Greenery” in 1926 for one of their earliest musicals, The Garrick Gaieties, where it was introduced by Sterling Holloway. It had two recordings in 1926: one by Roger Wolfe Kahn and the other by Frank Crumit. In later years, this song was recorded by Bing Crosby, Mel Tormé, Ella Fitzgerald, and Tony Bennett.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “Mountain Greenery” in 1973 with The Ruby Braff-George Barnes Quartet, featuring Braff on cornet, Barnes and Wayne Wright on guitar, and John Guiffrida on bass. Two albums with this quartet were released in 1977: Tony Bennett Sings 10 Rodgers & Hart Songs and Tony Bennett Sings More Great Rodgers and Hart. These were combined later on Tony Bennett Sings the Rodgers & Hart Songbook.

I love the recordings that Bennett did with the quartet; it’s a lovely sound for these Rodgers and Hart songs and I find that I don’t miss piano and drums.

“Mountain Greenery,” as well as Tony Bennett Sings the Rodgers & Hart Songbook is available on Apple Music.

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Song of the Day: Thou Swell

The song of the day for Friday, January 14, 2022, is “Thou Swell.”

About This Song

“Thou Swell” was written by Richard Rodgers and Larry 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 the 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 with the Ruby Braff-George Barnes Quartet, with Braff on cornet, Barnes and Wayne Wright on guitar, and John Guiffrida on bass. This quartet, without piano or drums, is a wonderful sound these Rodgers and Hart songs. “Thou Swell” was released in 1977 on Tony Bennett Sings More Great Rodgers and Hart on Bennett’s Improv label.

“Thou Swell,” as well as The Complete Improv Recordings is available on Apple Music.

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Song of the Day: Mountain Greenery

The song of the day for Wednesday, September 29, 2021, is “Mountain Greenery.”

About This Song

Richard Rodgers and Larry Hart wrote “Mountain Greenery” in 1926 for one of their earliest musicals, The Garrick Gaieties, where it was introduced by Sterling Holloway. It had two recordings in 1926: one by Roger Wolfe Kahn and the other by Frank Crumit. In later years, this song was recorded by Bing Crosby, Mel Tormé, Ella Fitzgerald, and Tony Bennett.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “Mountain Greenery” in 1973; the recording was released in 1977 on Tony Bennett Sings More Great Rodgers & Hart Songs. Accompanying Bennett was The George Barners/Ruby Braff Quartet, with Barnes and Wayne Wright on guitar, Braff on cornet, and John Guiffrida on bass.

Mountain Greenery

Listen to Mountain Greenery on Spotify. Tony Bennett · Song · 2004.

“Mountain Greenery,” as well as The Complete Improv Recordings is available on Apple Music.

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Song of the Day: Manhattan

The song of the day for Sunday, September 11, 2021, is “Manhattan.”

About This Song

“Manhattan” was written in 1925 by Richard Rodgers and Larry Hart for the Garrick Gaieties, where it was introduced by Sterlin Holloway. The song made its first film appearance the following year in a short entitled Makers of Melody. The song has remained popular up to today and is frequently recorded by jazz and popular singers. In addition to Bennett’s recording, “Manhattan” has been recorded by Blossom Dearie, Ella Fitzgerald, Mel Tormé, and Dinah Washington. It is often used in films, including Silent Movie, Mighty Aphrodite, and The English Patient.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “Manhattan” in 1973 with The Ruby Braff-George Barnes Quartet, which featured Braff on cornet, Barnes and Wayne Wright on guitar, and John Guiffrida on bass. It was released in 1976 on Tony Bennett Sings 10 Rogers & Hart Songs on Bennett’s own Improv label.

Manhattan

Listen to Manhattan on Spotify. Tony Bennett · Song · 2004.

“Manhattan,” as well as The Complete Improv Recordings is available on Apple Music.

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