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The Year of Tony Bennett

An Appreciation of the Art and Music of Tony Bennett

December 24, 2019 By Suzanne Leave a Comment

Song of the Day: White Christmas

The song of the day for Wednesday, December 25, 2019, is “White Christmas.”

About This Song

“White Christmas” was written by Irving Berlin in 1940. It’s one of America’s most beloved Christmas songs. In the not-often heard verse of the song, we hear that “the sun is shining, the grass is green, the orange and palm trees sway, there’s never been such a day in Beverly Hills, L.A. But it’s December the 24 …” And indeed, Irving Berlin was in Los Angeles when he wrote “White Christmas,” expressing that longing for a traditional back-home Christmas. Bing Crosby recorded the song in 1942 and completely dominated the music charts for weeks. Crosby’s single of “White Christmas” is the biggest-selling single record of all time, worldwide, at over 100-million copies.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “White Christmas” in 1967 for his first Christmas album, Snowfall, released in 1968. The arrangement was written by Robert Farnon.

“White Christmas,” as well as Snowfall, is available from iTunes.

Filed Under: Song of the Day Tagged With: Irving Berlin, Robert Farnon, Snowfall, Tony Bennett

December 20, 2017 By Suzanne Leave a Comment

Song of the Day: I Love the Winter Weather / I’ve Got My Love to Keep Me Warm Medley

On the seventh day of The Twelve Days of a Tony Bennett Christmas, which is also the first official day of winter, Thursday, December 21, 2017, the song of the day is a medley of “I Love the Winter Weather” and “I’ve Got My Love To Keep Me Warm.”

About This Song

“I Love the Winter Weather” was written in 1941 by Ticker Freeman and W. Earl Brown.

“I’ve Got My Love to Keep Me Warm” was written in 1937 by Irving Berlin for the musical On The Avenue.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded the medley of “I Love the Winter Weather” and “I’ve Got My Love to Keep Me Warm” in 1967 for the album Snowfall, released in 1968.

Medley: I Love The Winter Weather / I"ve Got My Love To Keep Me Warm

Listen to Medley: I Love The Winter Weather / I"ve Got My Love To Keep Me Warm on Spotify. Tony Bennett · Song · 1968.


The Snowfall medley, as well as Snowfall album, is available from iTunes.

Filed Under: Song of the Day Tagged With: Irving Berlin, Snowfall, The Twelve Days of a Tony Bennett Christmas, Ticker Freeman, Tony Bennett, W. Earl Brown

December 18, 2017 By Suzanne Leave a Comment

Song of the Day: Santa Claus is Coming to Town

On the sixth day of The Twelve Days of a Tony Bennett Christmas, Tuesday, December 19, 2017, the song of the day is “Santa Claus is Coming to Town.”

About This Song

“Santa Claus is Coming to Town” was written in 1934, with music by John Frederick Coots and lyrics by Haven Gillespie. The song had a spectacular debut. It was first sung on Eddie Cantor’s radio show in November, 1934. On the day after the broadcast, there were 100,000 orders for the sheet music; by Christmas, over 400,000 copies of the sheet music had been sold.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded this version of “Santa Claus is Coming to Town” in 1967 for the album Snowfall, which was released in 1968. The arrangement was done by Robert Farnon.

Santa Claus Is Comin" To Town

Listen to Santa Claus Is Comin" To Town on Spotify. Tony Bennett · Song · 1968.


“Santa Claus is Coming to Town,” as well as Snowfall, is available from iTunes.

Filed Under: Song of the Day, The 12 Days of a Tony Bennett Christmas Tagged With: Haven Gillespie, John Fredrick Coots, Robert Farnon, Snowfall, The 12 Days of a Tony Bennett Christmas, Tony Bennett

December 17, 2017 By Suzanne Leave a Comment

Song of the Day: The Christmas Song

On the fifth day of The Twelve Days of a Tony Bennett Christmas, Monday, December 18, 2017, the song of the day is “The Christmas Song.”

About This Song

“The Christmas Song” was written in 1944 by Mel Tormé and Robert Wells. Sometimes known by its first line ‘Chestnuts roasting on an open fire,” this song was written on a very hot summer day and Tormé and Wells were trying to think cold Christmasy thoughts in an effort to cool off. The entire song was written forty minutes and is one of America’s most classic Christmas songs. The first recording was by Nat King Cole in 1946.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded The Christmas Song in 1967 for the album Snowfall, released in 1968. It was arranged and conducted by Robert Farnon.

The Christmas Song (Chestnuts Roasting on an Open Fire)

Listen to The Christmas Song (Chestnuts Roasting on an Open Fire) on Spotify. Tony Bennett · Song · 1968.


“The Christmas Song,” as well as Snowfall, is available from iTunes.

Filed Under: Song of the Day, The 12 Days of a Tony Bennett Christmas Tagged With: Mel Tormé, Robert Farnon, Robert Wells, Snowfall, Tony Bennett

December 13, 2017 By Suzanne Leave a Comment

Song of the Day: Christmasland

On the first day of the Twelve Days Tony Bennett Christmas, Thursday, December 14, 2017, the song of day is “Christmasland.”

About This Song

“Christmasland” was written by Robert Farnon and his brother Brian Farnan. Robert Farnon, born in Canada, lived in England following the conclusion of World War II. He was a gifted composer and orchestra conductor and worked closely with Tony Bennett on several projects, including Bennett’s 1968 album Snowfall, which he orchestrated.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “Christmasland” in 1968 for the album Snowfall.

Snowfall

Listen to Snowfall on Spotify. Tony Bennett · Song · 1968.


“Christmasland,” as well as Snowfall, is available from iTunes.

About Today

Since its inception in 2010, The Year of Tony Bennett has celebrated the Christmas season with The Twelve Days of a Tony Bennett Christmas. Welcome to our 2017 version. I wish you all the happiest holiday season.

Filed Under: Song of the Day Tagged With: Brian Farnon, Robert Farnon, Snowfall, The Twelve Days of a Tony Bennett Christmas, Tony Bennett

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