The Year of Tony Bennett

An Appreciation of the Art and Music of Tony Bennett

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Song of the Day: Taking a Chance on Love

The song of the day for Monday, February 10, 2025, is “Taking a Chance on Love.”

About This Song

“Taking a Chance on Love” was composed by Vernon Duke, with lyrics by John La Touche and Ted Fetter, for the 1940 musical Cabin in the Sky, where it was introduced by the great Ethel Waters and Dooley Wilson. The song works well for both jazz singers and instrumentalists, with significant recordings by Dave Brubeck, Tony Bennett, Judy Garland, and Dizzy Gillespie.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “Taking a Chance on Love” on December 30, 1958, with Count Basie and His Orchestra for their 1959 album In Person!. The album was planned as a live album and was recorded in a club with the Count Basie Orchestra. However, the tape from the concert had poor quality and couldn’t be used. They re-recorded all of the songs in the studio.

“Taking a Chance on Love,” as well as In Person! is available on Apple Music.

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Song of the Day: Taking A Chance On Love

The song of the day for Wednesday, September 11, 2024, is “Taking A Chance On Love.”

About This Song

“Taking A Chance On Love” was written by Vernon Duke, with lyrics by John LaTouche and Ted Fetter, for the 1940 musical Cabin in the Sky, where it was introduced by the great Ethel Waters and Dooley Wilson. The song works well for both jazz singers and instrumentalists, with significant recordings by Dave Brubeck, Tony Bennett, Judy Garland, and Dizzy Gillespie.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “Taking A Chance On Love” on September 11, 1961, for his second album, Tony, released in 1957.

“Taking A Chance On Love,” as well as Tony, is available on Apple Music.

We’ve got Ethel Waters and Eddie ‘Rochester’ Anderson singing today’s song from the 1943 film version of Cabin in the Sky. This clip also features dancing by the great Bill Bailey. Ethel Waters is just glorious.

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Song of the Day: Taking a Chance on Love

The song of the day for Monday, May 20, 2024, is “Taking a Chance on Love.”

About This Song

“Taking a Chance on Love” was written by Vernon Duke, John LaTouche, and Ted Fetter for the 1940 musical Cabin in the Sky, where it was introduced by the great Ethel Waters and Dooley Wilson. The song works well for both jazz singers and instrumentalists, with significant recordings by Dave Brubeck, Tony Bennett, Judy Garland, and Dizzy Gillespie.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “Taking a Chance on Love” on December 30, 1958, for his second album with Count Basie and His Band, In Person!, released in 1959. The songs for the album were taped at nightclub and it was set to be a live album, but Columbia decided to rerecord the album in the studio. Why they didn’t change the name of the album is anyone’s guess.

“Taking a Chance on Love,” as well as In Person! is available on Apple Music.

We’ve got a special video treat today: Ethel Waters and Eddie Anderson singing “Taking a Chance on Love” from the 1943 film version of Cabin in the Sky. Bill Bailey is featured as the dancer in the number.

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Song of the Day: Taking a Chance on Love

The song of the day for Sunday, October 29, 2023, is “Taking a Chance on Love.”

About This Song

“Taking a Chance on Love” was written by Vernon Duke (music) and John LaTouche and Ted Fetter (lyrics) for the 1940 musical Cabin in the Sky, where it was introduced by the great Ethel Waters and Dooley Wilson. The song works well for jazz singers and instrumentalists, with significant recordings by Dave Brubeck, Tony Bennett, Judy Garland, and Dizzy Gillespie.

About This Version

Tony Bennett, with Count Basie and His Band, recorded “Taking a Chance on Love” on December 30, 1958, for his second album with Count Basie, In Person!, released in 1959. Ralph Sharon wrote the arrangement.

“Taking a Chance on Love,” as well as In Person!, is available on Apple Music.

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Song of the Day: Taking a Chance on Love

The song of the day for Wednesday, July 26, 2023, is “Taking a Chance on Love.”

About This Song

“Taking a Chance on Love” was written by Vernon Duke, with lyrics by John LaTouche and Ted Fetter, for the 1940 musical Cabin in the Sky, where it was introduced by the great Ethel Waters and Dooley Wilson. The song works well for both jazz singers and instrumentalists, with significant recordings by Dave Brubeck, Tony Bennett, Judy Garland, and Dizzy Gillespie.

About This Version

Tony Bennett, with Count Basie and His Orchestra, recorded “Taking a Chance on Love” on December 30, 1958, for the album In Person!. It was arranged by Ralph Sharon.

In Person! was planned as a live album and was recorded in a club with the Count Basie Orchestra. However, the tape from the concert had poor quality and couldn’t be used. They re-recorded all of the songs in the studio and, oddly, released it with the originally planned title, In Person!.

“Taking a Chance on Love,” as well as In Person! is available on Apple Music.