The Year of Tony Bennett

An Appreciation of the Art and Music of Tony Bennett

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Song of the Day: Close Enough For Love

The song of the day for Saturday, February 24, 2024, is “Close Enough For Love.”

About This Song

“Close Enough For Love” was written in 1979 by Johnny Mandel and Paul Williams. The song was first recorded by Peggy Lee on her album of the same name. in addition to the recordings by Peggy Lee and Tony Bennett, it has also been recorded by Shirley Horn and Andy Williams.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “Close Enough For Love” in 2004 for his album The Art of Romance. It was arranged and conducted by the composer, Johnny Mandel.

“Close Enough For Love,” as well as The Art of Romance, is available on Apple Music.

The Art of Romance won the Best Traditional Pop Vocal Album award at the 48th annual Grammy Awards.

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Song of the Day: I Remember You

The song of the day for Thursday,. February 2, 2024, is “I Remember You.”

About This Song

“I Remember You” was written by Victor Schertzinger and Johnny Mercer for the 1942 movie The Fleet’s In (directed by the composer Schertzinger), where it was introduced by Dorothy Lamour. It is said that Mercer wrote the lyric for Judy Garland, with whom he was said to be in love. The song has been widely recorded over the decades and remains popular today. Notable recordings include those by Tony Bennett, Chet Baker, Doris Day, Ella Fitzgerald, Diana Krall, and Dinah Washington.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “I Remember You” in 2004 for his album The Art of Romance. It was arranged by Johnny Mandel.

“I Remember You,” as well as The Art of Romance, is available on Apple Music.

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Song of the Day: Where Do You Start

The song of the day for Tuesday, December 26, 2023, is “Where Do You Start.”

About This Song

Written in 1987, “Where Do You Start” is one of the great songs from the Bergmans with a beautiful melody by Johnny Mandel. This song has had many beautiful recordings: Nancy Lamott, Shirley Horn, Rosemary Clooney, Barbra Streisand, the Brad Mehldau Trio, Annie Ross, and Tony Bennett.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “Where Do You Start” in 2004 for his album The Art of Romance. Johnny Mandel, who composed today’s song, wrote the arrangement and conducted the orchestra.

“Where Do You Start,” as well as The Art of Romance, is available on Apple Music.

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Song of the Day: Where Do You Start

The song of the day for Thursday, November 23, 2023, is “Where Do You Start.”

About Today

We are happy to celebrate the late Johnny Mandel, who was born on November 23, 1925, and died on June 29, 2020. Mandel was a composer of popular songs, film music, and jazz. He frequently collaborated with Tony Bennett, most memorably on the 1966 The Movie Song Album. He also wrote the theme song for the film (and later television show) M*A*S*H*, “Suicide is Painless.”

About This Song

“Where Do You Start” was composed by Johnny Mandel, with lyrics by Alan and Marilyn Bergman in 1987. The song has had many beautiful recordings: Nancy Lamott, Shirley Horn, Rosemary Clooney, Barbra Streisand, the Brad Mehldau Trio, Annie Ross, and Tony Bennett.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “Where Do You Start” in 2004 for his album The Art of Romance. (An aside here: whenever I’ve introduced someone to Tony Bennett, I start by giving them this album. It creates a new fan each time.). Johnny Mandel wrote the arrangement.

“Where Do You Start,” as well as The Art of Romance, is available on Apple Music.

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Song of the Day: Close Enough For Love

The song of the day for Wednesday, August 30, 2023, is “Close Enough For Love.”

About This Song

“Close Enough For Love” was written in 1979 by Johnny Mandel and Paul Williams. Peggy Lee did the first recording of this song on her album of the same name. In addition to Peggy Lee and Tony Bennett, Shirley Horn has also recorded this song.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “Close Enough For Love” in 2004 for his album The Art of Romance. Composer Mandel wrote the arrangement and conducted the orchestra.

“Close Enough For Love,” as well as The Art of Romance, is available on Apple Music.

If you love this song as much as I do, you may like Shirley Horn’s recording from her 1989 album Close Enough For Love:

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