The Year of Tony Bennett

An Appreciation of the Art and Music of Tony Bennett

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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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Song of the Day: Isn’t It Romantic

The song of the day for Tuesday, March 16, 2021, is “Isn’t It Romantic.”

About This Song

“Isn’t It Romantic” was written by Richard Rodgers and Larry Hart for the 1932 movie Love Me Tonight, starring Maurice Chevalier and Jeanette MacDonald. The song has proved to be one of their most popular and has been and still is widely recorded by artists including Chet Baker, Peggy Lee, Mel Tormé, Ella Fitzgerald, and The Bill Evans Trio. In his book American Popular Song, Alec Wilder calls “Isn’t It Romantic” a “perfect song.”

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “Isn’t It Romantic” with The Ruby Braff/George Barnes Quartet for the 1976 album Tony Bennett Sings 10 Rodgers & Hart Songs.

I’ve always found the composition of this quartet both highly unusual and absolutely perfect for Tony’s take on these Rodgers and Hart songs. The quartet features Braff on cornet, George Barnes and Wayne Wright on guitar, and John Guiffrida on bass. Without drums or piano, the sound evokes a lovely period sound for songs written in the 1930s but without being dated.

We’re also celebrating the birth anniversary of Ruby (born Reuben) Braff on March 16, 1927. Braff had a distinguished career playing trumpet and cornet starting in 1954. He died in 2003.

Isn"t It Romantic

Listen to Isn"t It Romantic on Spotify. Tony Bennett · Song · 1973.

“Isn’t It Romantic,” as well as Tony Bennett Sings the Rodgers & Hart Songbook, is available from Apple Music.

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Song of the Day: Blue Moon

The song of the day for Sunday, November 1, 2020, is “Blue Moon.”

About This Song

Richard Rodgers and Larry Hart wrote “Blue Moon” in 1933. Although written in 1933, “Blue Moon” first appeared in the 1934 film Manhattan Melodrama, though with a completely different lyric.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded this version of “Blue Moon” 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 on Tony Bennett Sings 10 Rodgers & Hart Songs in 1976 on Bennett’s Improv label.

Blue Moon

Listen to Blue Moon on Spotify. Tony Bennett · Song · 1973.

“Blue Moon,” as well as Tony Bennett Sings the Rodgers and Hart Songbook, is available from Apple Music.

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