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The Year of Tony Bennett

An Appreciation of the Art and Music of Tony Bennett

February 11, 2021 By Suzanne Leave a Comment

Song of the Day: For Once In My Life

The song of the day for Friday, February 12, 2021, is “For Once In My Life.”

About This Song

“For Once In My Life” was written by Ron Miller and Orlando Murden for Motown Record’s Jobete publising company. This song not only found a success as a Motown song, with recordings by Stevie Wonder and Jean duShon, but also as a popular standard, starting with Tony Bennett’s recording in 1967. Thanks to Tony Bennett’s recording of the song, it’s been sung by other popular and jazz singers such as Ella Fitzgerald and Frank Sinatra.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded this version of “For Once In My Life” with Stevie Wonder in 2006 for Duets: An American Classic. It was arranged by Jorge Calandrelli.

For Once in My Life (with Stevie Wonder)

Listen to For Once in My Life (with Stevie Wonder) on Spotify. Tony Bennett · Song · 2006.

“For Once In My Life” as well as Duets II, is available from Apple Music.

Filed Under: Song of the Day Tagged With: Duets: An American Classic, Jorge Callandrelli, Orlando Murden, Ron Miller, Stevie Wonder, Tony Bennett

June 7, 2020 By Suzanne Leave a Comment

Song of the Day: For Once In My Life

The song of the day for Monday, June 8, 2020, is “For Once In My Life.”

About This Song

“For Once In My Life” was written in 1967 by Ron Miller and Orlando Murden. The song was written for the Motown Record’s Jobete publishing company. This song not only found success as a Motown song, with recordings by Stevie Wonder and Jean duShon, but also as a popular standard, starting with Tony Bennett’s recording in 1967. Thanks to Tony Bennett’s original recording of the song, it’s been sung by other popular and jazz singers such as Ella Fitzgerald and Frank Sinatra.

About This Version

Tony Bennet and Stevie Wonder recorded “For Once In My Life” in 2006 for Duets: An American Classic. Jorge Calandrelli wrote the arrangement.

“For Once In My Life,” as well as Duets: An American Classic, is available from iTunes.

Filed Under: Song of the Day Tagged With: Duets: An American Classic, Jorge Calandrelli, Orlando Murden, Ron Miller, Stevie Wonder, Tony Bennett

June 15, 2019 By Suzanne Leave a Comment

Playlist of the Week: Tony Sings with the Guys, Part 1

The playlist of the week starting June 16, 0219, is Tony Sings with the Guys, Part 1.

Tony Sings with the Guys, Part 1

This playlist contains some of Tony early duets with male singers.

Let the Good Times Roll, with B.B. King, from Playin’ With My Friends

New York State of Mind, with Billy Joel, from Playin’ With My Friends

Cold, Cold Heart, with Tim McGraw, from Duets: An American Classic

Everyday I Have The Blues, with Stevie Wonder, from Playin’ With My Friends

The Boulevard of Broken Dreams, with Sting, from Duets: An American Classic

The Shadow of Your Smile, with Juanes, from Duets: An American Classic

The Very Thought of You, with Paul McCartney, from Duets: An American Classic

I Wanna Be Around, with Bono, from Duets: An American Classic

Evenin’, with Ray Charles, from Playin’ With My Friends

Rags to Riches, with Elton John, from Duets: An American Classic

Filed Under: Playlist of the Week Tagged With: B.B. King, Billy Joel, Bono, Cold Cold Heart, Duets: An American Classic, Elton John, Evenin', Everyday I Have the Blues, I Wanna Be Around, Juanes, Let The Good Times Roll, New York State Of Mind, Paul McCartney, Playin' With My Friends: Bennett Sings The Blues, Rags to Riches, Ray Charles, Stevie Wonder, Sting, The Boulevard of Broken Dreams, The Shadow of Your Smile, The Very Thought of You, Tom McGraw

December 11, 2017 By Suzanne Leave a Comment

Tony Bennett and His Christmas Surprise?

Tony Bennett on Twitter

Loved singing with Stevie Wonder last night at his House of Toys Benefit… and yes, I am growing a cookie duster for the holidays!

Filed Under: About Tony Bennett Tagged With: House of Toys Benefit, Stevie Wonder

February 19, 2015 By Suzanne Leave a Comment

Song of the Day: For Once In My Life

The song of the day for Thursday, February 19, 2015 is “For Once In My Life.”

About This Song

“For Once In My Life” was written in 1967 by Ron Miller and Orlando Murden. The song was written for the Motown Record’s Jobete publising company. This song not only found a success as a Motown song, with the recording by Stevie Wonder, but also as a popular standard, starting with Tony Bennett’s recording in 1967. Thanks to Tony Bennett’s recording of the song, it’s been sung by other popular and jazz singers such as Ella Fitzgerald and Frank Sinatra.

About This Version

While Tony Bennett first recorded today’s song in 1967 for his album of the same name, today’s version is from his 2006 album Duets: An American Classic and is sung with Stevie Wonder, who also plays harmonica on the recording. It was arranged and conducted by Jorge Calandrelli.

For Once in My Life (with Stevie Wonder)

Listen to For Once in My Life (with Stevie Wonder) on Spotify. Tony Bennett · Song · 2006.

“For Once In My Life,” as well as Duets: An American Classic, is available from iTunes.

About Today

Last Sunday evening, February 15, 2015, Tony Bennett appeared as a guest on the Grammy-produced tribute to Wonder: Stevie Wonder — Songs in the Key of Life. I didn’t get a chance to watch it Sunday, but had recorded it for later viewing. I was on Twitter Sunday and all of a sudden, Twitter exploded with tweets about Tony’s performance singing this song on the show:

Aside from the Legendary Master himself, #StevieWonder, the Living Legend @itstonybennett gave thee best performance of the night…COLD!!

— Vera G. (@vivaciousvdelor) February 18, 2015

Still dreaming about Tony Bennett's rendition of "For Once In My Life" at the Stevie Wonder Tribute. I mean…that was gospel! So good!

— Meocha Belle (@MeochaBelle) February 18, 2015

@itstonybennett absolutely slayed his rendition of "For Once in My Life"…had me in tears!!!! Is it available on iTunes? #StevieWonder

— Kakes By Kem (@KakesByKem) February 17, 2015

So, I finally found some time to watch this show and these viewers were right … Tony was superb. I’ve heard him sing this song live before, but this performance was absolutely riveting! If you have a chance to catch it, please do. In the meantime, here’s a video of Tony Bennett singing today’s song at The White House for President and Mrs. Obama in 2009. Note Esperanza Spaulding on bass!

Filed Under: Song of the Day Tagged With: Orlando Murden, Ron Miller, Stevie Wonder

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