An Appreciation of the Art and Music of Tony Bennett
The Year of Tony Bennett was sad to learn today that Chico Hamilton passed away at the age of 92. You can read this story from the Los Angeles Times about his career.
We would like to honor Chico Hamilton with one of his collaborations with Tony Bennett: “Crazy Rhythm” from the 1957 The Beat of My Heart. Rest in peace, Chico Hamilton. Your great music will live on forever.
The song of the day for Tuesday, October 22, 2013 is “Let’s Face The Music and Dance.”
Irving Berlin wrote “Let’s Face The Music and Dance” in 1936 for the movie Follow The Fleet, where was introduced by Fred Astaire. It’s one of Berlin’s most popular songs and has been recorded many times by artists including Tony Bennett, Nat King Cole, Natalie Cole, Barbara Cook, Ella Fitzgerald and Frank Sinatra.
Today’s version is from Tony Bennett’s wonderful 1957 jazz album The Beat of My Heart. For this album, Bennett chose the finest percussionists in the world for the songs on the album, including Art Blakey, Sabu, Jo Jones, Chico Hamilton and Candido Camera. This was also his first album with Ralph Sharon and Ralph Sharon Trio, with whom he would work for many years.
Candido Camera is why we chose this song today, as today is his 92nd birthday. Candido was born in Cuba on October 22, 1912. He is one the world’s preeminent conga drum players. He played on several songs on this album; he also appeared with Mr. Bennett in his 1962 Carnegie Hall concert and he and Bennett turned in an exceptional performance of “De Glory Road.”
The Year of Tony Bennett wishes Candido a very happy birthday and best wishes for many more.
http://open.spotify.com/track/5B9bcn6bpoAWbLnyQrlVvw
“Let’s Face The Music and Dance,” as well as the album The Beat of My Heart, is available from iTunes and Amazon.
The song of the day for Friday, August 9, 2013 is “Crazy Rhythm.”
“Crazy Rhythm” was written in 1928 for the musical Here’s Howe by Irving Caesar, Joseph Meyer and Roger Wolfe Kahn. True to its title, the song is quite rhythmic and soon became a jazz classic, with well over a hundred different versions including those by Stan Getz, Harry James, Miles Davis, Les Paul and Chet Atkins. While mostly recorded as an instrumental, the song’s lyrics are quite clever and enjoyable, at least in Tony Bennett’s fine recording.
Today’s song is from Tony Bennett’s third album, The Beat of My Heart. Tony Bennett, who had just brought in Ralph Sharon as his pianist, had a strong vision for this album: a jazz album featuring great percussionists. “Crazy Rhythm” features Chico Hamilton. This album also featured Jo Jones, Candido, Sabu, Art Blakely, and Billy Exiner (who would play with Bennett and the Ralph Sharon Trio for many years).
http://open.spotify.com/track/4QtftZeekTIyen4G12d529
“Crazy Rhythm,” as well as the album The Beat of My Heart, is available from iTunes.
The song of the day for Friday, June 7, 2013 is “Let There Be Love.”
“Let There Be Love” was written in 1939 by Lionel Rand with lyrics by Ian Grant. This song has been recorded by singers including Nat “King” Cole, Natalie Cole, Bob Eberly, Pearl Bailey, John Pizzarelli and Annie Ross.
Tony Bennett included this song on his third long-playing album, the 1957 The Beat of My Heart. (Note the second chorus contains some updated lyrics, vis-a-vis the reference to Sputnik). The Beat of My Heart was Bennett’s first album with Ralph Sharon, who both arranged and conducted. The Beat of My Heart featured guest percussionists for every song on the album; “Let There Be Love” featured Candido, Sabu and Billy Exiner.
http://open.spotify.com/track/0LvDzoPdlnu9Am8IzbyyKC
“Let There Be Love,” as well as the entire The Beat of My Heart album, is available from iTunes.
In honor of Memorial Day and as a tribute to all who have served in the armed forces, including Mr. Tony Bennett, the song of the day for Monday, May 27, 2013 is the Army Air Corps Song.
This song was written in 1938 when the Army Air Corps decided that it needed a song. A contest was created with a $1000 prize, donated by Liberty Magazine. Over 700 compositions were submitted. In addition, Meredith Willson and Irving Berlin were asked to write entries as well. In the end, the prize went to Robert MacArthur Crawford, a music teacher, who had attempted to serve in World War I, but was kicked out after it was discovered he was underage. He enlisted again for World War II and flew for the Air Transport Command of the U.S. Army Air Forces. After the war, he joined the music faculty at the University of Miami.
Tony Bennett recorded the Army Air Corps Song for his 1957 album The Beat of My Heart, though it was dropped for subsequent releases. It does appear on the 2011 version from the Tony Bennett Complete Collection. It features drummer Jo Jones.
http://open.spotify.com/track/4I3pjJXvYkJp0DOHdymAX3
Army Air Corps Song is available as a single from iTunes.