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 Saturday, January 11, 2014 is “Taking a Chance on Love.”

About This Song

“Taking a Chance on Love” was written for the 1940 musical Cabin in the Sky by Vernon Duke, with lyrics by John La Touche and Ted Fetter. The song 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 first recorded this song for his second album, Tony, released in 1957. However, I prefer this version from 1958 In Person! with Count Basie and His Orchestra. This version was also used on the 1962 album I Left My Heart in San Francisco.

http://open.spotify.com/track/7eZGFUxQlMDkDPzJAuGYQm
“Taking a Chance on Love,” as well as the album In Person! with Count Basie and His Orchestra, is available from iTunes.

And as it’s YouTube Saturday, I have two videos for you.

The first is Tony Bennett singing today’s song:

And here is Miss Ethel Waters from Cabin in the Sky:

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Song of the Day: Taking A Chance On Love

The song of the day for Tuesday, April 23, 2013 is Taking A Chance On Love.

About This Song

Today we feature another song from Cabin In The Sky, Taking A Chance On Love. This song was written for the original 1940 Broadway production by Vernon Duke, with lyrics by John LaTouche and Ted Fetter.  Taking A Chance on Love has been a favorite of jazz and popular performers since it was written, including recordings by Dizzy Gillespie, Judy Garland, Peggy Lee, Gerry Mulligan, Zoot Sims, Jane Monheit and even Rod Stewart.

About This Version

I can’t get Cabin In The Sky out my mind and have found myself humming this song a lot since I watched the movie on Saturday. I felt like a Count Basie song for today and so here’s Taking A Chance on Love from In Person! Bennett and Basie really swing this version.

http://open.spotify.com/track/7eZGFUxQlMDkDPzJAuGYQm
Taking A Chance On Love, as well the full In Person! album, is available from iTunes.

And again the amazing Ethel Waters, singing our song of the day, with dancing by the amazing Bill Bailey. And you thought Michael Jackson invented the Moonwalk.

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Song of the Day: Taking a Chance on Love

The song of the day for Wednesday, March 13, 2013 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. It was introduced in the 1940 Broadway show Cabin in the Sky and was sung by Ethel Waters and Dooley Wilson. The song was recorded by Benny Goodman with vocals by Helen Forrest and reached #1 on the charts in 1943. The song has remained popular and has been performed by many jazz and popular singers, ranging from Ruby Braff to Dave Brubeck to Nat King Cole and many, many more singers and instrumentalists.

About This Version

Today’s version comes from Tony Bennett’s second album, Tony, released in 1957. This version was arranged and conducted by Ray Conniff. I’ve been listening to Tony Bennett’s albums recorded in the 1950s this week. There are some wonderful recordings there and this number is definitely one of my favorites.

http://open.spotify.com/track/4mXklW7Ibzp1qetGMq1Uw3
Taking a Chance on Love, as well as the full Tony album, is available from iTunes.