The Year of Tony Bennett

An Appreciation of the Art and Music of Tony Bennett

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Song of the Day: My Old Flame

The song of the day for Friday, June 13, 2014 is “My Old Flame.”

About This Song

“My Old Flame” was written by Arthur Johnston (music) and Sam Coslow (lyrics) in 1934 for the movie Belle of the Nineties, which starred Mae West. Miss West was an ardent fan of Duke Ellington and insisted that Ellington and His Orchestra appear in the film and accompany her for the singing of this song.

The song has been widely recorded by artists including Cootie Williams, Ben Webster, Dinah Washington and Billie Holiday, among others.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “My Old Flame” for his 1997 tribute album to Billie Holiday, Tony Bennett On Holiday. There are many fine recordings on this album in addition to today’s song including “Trav’lin’ Light,” “Good Morning, Heartache” and “Me, Myself and I.” The album features Ralph Sharon on piano, with strings arranged by Jorge Calandrelli.

http://open.spotify.com/track/2jBarJ6zzh3TyZn1hZqpMT
“My Old Flame,” as well as the album Tony Bennett On Holiday, is available from iTunes.

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Song of the Day: Sing You Sinners

The song of the day for Saturday, March 22, 2014 is “Sing You Sinners.”

About This Song

Sing You Sinners was written by W. Franke Harling and Sam Coslow and used in the 1930 film Honey, starring Lillian Roth. Even though Bing Crosby starred in a 1938 musical called Sing You Sinners, this song was not used in that film.

About This Version

This version is the first and the best. Tony Bennett recorded Sing You Sinners in July, 1950; it was released in October of that year. It features a great arrangement by Marty Manning. Unlike some of the recordings that he made when he first started recording with Columbia, this song sounds more like the Tony Bennett we know today than the early singer. I think it has everything to do with the material. He might have first recorded this song in any decade of his career and I doubt if it would sound much different than this version. And it’s a great song … then and now. He regularly sings this song in concert and still swings it hard!

http://open.spotify.com/track/2D8HFZ4W9TMRYccuOX91zh
“Sing You Sinners,” as well as the singles collected on The Columbia Singles, Volume 1, is available from iTunes.

For you YouTube viewing pleasure, here is “Sing You Sinners” sung by Tony Bennett and John Legend.

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Song of the Day: Sing Your Sinners

The song of the day for Tuesday, November 12, 2013 is “Sing You Sinners.”

About This Song

“Sing You Sinners” was written for the 1930 film “Honey” by W. Franke Harling, with lyrics by Sam Coslow. Tony Bennett first recorded this song in 1950 and, by all accounts, he owns “Sing You Sinners.” He’s recorded it several times and often sings it in concert.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded today’s version of “Sing You Sinners” in late 1955 and released as a single in 1956. It was arranged and conducted by Percy Faith. This arrangement really swings and Tony sounds like he’s having a lot of fun singing it. “Come on band, SWING!”

http://open.spotify.com/track/2LygyYc41REdXz53KhQjB3
“Sing You Sinners,” as well as all of the recordings on The Columbia Singles, Vol. 4, is available from iTunes.

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Song of the Day: Sing You Sinners

As we continue our playing of live performances this week, the song of the day for Tuesday, June 11, 2013 is Sing You Sinners.”

About This Song

“Sing You Sinners” was written by W. Franke Harling and Sam Coslow and used in the 1930 film Honey, starring Lillian Roth. Even though Bing Crosby starred in a 1938 musical called Sing You Sinners, this song was not used in that film.

About This Version

Today’s live version is from the 1962 Tony Bennett at Carnegie Hall concert. The complete concert edition of the album is a masterpiece and is rightly considered one of the greatest live vocal live performance recordings ever made.

http://open.spotify.com/track/1mROvttcJYQox5aB0gvFri
“Sing You Sinners,” as well as the complete Tony Bennett at Carnegie Hall album, is available from iTunes.

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Song of the Day: Sing You Sinners

The song of the day for Sunday, February 24, 2013 is Sing You Sinners.

About Sing You Sinners

Sing You Sinners was written by W. Franke Harling and Sam Coslow and used in the 1930 film Honey, starring Lillian Roth. Even though Bing Crosby starred in a 1938 musical called Sing You Sinners, this song was not used in that film.

About This Version

This version is the first and the best. Tony Bennett recorded Sing You Sinners in July, 1950; it was released in October of that year. It features a great arrangement by Marty Manning. Unlike some of the recordings that he made when he first started recording with Columbia, this song sounds more like the Tony Bennett we know today than the early singer. I think it has everything to do with the material. He might have first recorded this song in any decade of his career and I doubt if it would sound much different than this version. And it’s a great song … then and now. He regularly sings this song in concert and still swings it hard!

http://open.spotify.com/track/2D8HFZ4W9TMRYccuOX91zh
Sing You Sinners, as well as all of the songs on The Columbia Singles: Volume 1, is available from iTunes.