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The Year of Tony Bennett

An Appreciation of the Art and Music of Tony Bennett

January 29, 2021 By Suzanne Leave a Comment

Song of the Day: Pick Yourself Up

The song of the day for Saturday, January 30, 2021, is “Pick Yourself Up.”

About This Song

“Pick Yourself Up” was written by Jerome Kern and Dorothy Fields for the film Swing Time, where it was introduced by Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers. It was used in the early part of the film where Astaire pretends to not be able to dance and asks for Ginger Rogers as his dance instructor just so he could dance with her. This song has been widely recorded, including those by Nat King Cole, Anita O’Day, Ella Fitzgerald, Frank Sinatra, and Diana Krall.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “Pick Yourself Up” with The Bill Charlap Trio for the 2015 album The Silver Lining: The Songs of Jerome Kern. It swings quite nicely.

Pick Yourself Up

Listen to Pick Yourself Up on Spotify. Tony Bennett · Song · 2015.

“Pick Yourself Up,” as well as The Silver Lining, is available from Apple Music.

We’ve got some great videos today:

Here’s Astaire and Rogers from Swing Time

Last June, singer Tony DeSare created this fabulous All-Star Jazz Collab for the Actors Fund version of “Pick Yourself Up.” It was a fundraiser for the Actors Fund and much needed as actors have not been able to work since the pandemic began. I find myself returning to this video often, as it always makes me feel happy!

Filed Under: Song of the Day Tagged With: Dorothy Fields, Jerome Kern, Swing Time, The Actors Fund, The Bill Charlap Trio, The Silver Lining: The Songs of Jerome Kern, Tony Bennett, Tony DeSare

September 29, 2020 By Suzanne Leave a Comment

Song of the Day: S’Wonderful

The song of the day for Wednesday, September 30, 2020, is “S’Wonderful.”

About This Song

George and Ira Gershwin wrote “S’Wonderful” for the 1927 musical Funny Face, where it was introduced by Adele Astaire (Fred’s sister) and Allen Kearns.

About This Version

Tony Bennett and Diana Krall, with The Bill Charlap Trio, recorded “S’Wonderful” for their 2018 album Love Is Here To Stay. Bill Charlap arranged and produced the album. In addition to Charlap, the trio includes Peter Washington on bass and Kenny Washington on drums.

“S’Wonderful,” as well as Love Is Here To Stay, is available from Apple Music.

Filed Under: Song of the Day Tagged With: Bill Charlap, Diana Krall, George Gershwin, Ira Gershwin, Kenny Washington, Love is Here to Stay, Peter Washington, The Bill Charlap Trio, Tony Bennett

January 29, 2020 By Suzanne Leave a Comment

Song of the Day: They Didn’t Believe Me

The song of the day for Thursday. January 30, 2020, is “They Didn’t Believe Me.”

About This Song

Jerome Kern and Herbert Reynolds wrote “They Didn’t Believe Me” in 1914 for Broadway musical The Girl From Utah. It became Kern’s first major song success.

This song redefined the American love song. Before “They Didn’t Believe Me,” love songs reflected the customary waltz-rhythms of European influence. Kern broke the mold and fitted the new American passion for modern dances such as the fox-trot. The song is also remarkable in its use of ‘everyday’ language in a love song. Theatre historian John Kenrick writes that, until this point, the majority of love songs had relied on flowery vocabulary to express romantic sentiments. The song put Kern in great demand on Broadway and established a pattern for musical theatre love songs that lasted through the 1960s.

“They Didn’t Believe Me” became a standard and was used in several films in the 1930s and 1940s. Significant recordings include those by Frank Sinatra, Bing Crosby, Dinah Washington, Jeanette MacDonald, Johnny Mercer, Charlie Parker, Elvis Costello, Stan Kenton, Bill Frisell, Bud Powell, Edward Woodward, Harry Belafonte, Leontyne Price, and Marian McPartland.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “They Didn’t Believe Me” with the Bill Charlap Trio for the 2015 album The Silver Lining: The Songs of Jerome Kern.

I think that Bennett’s recording of “They Didn’t Believe Me” is remarkable. With quiet and subdued accompanimnet from the Bill Charlap Trio, Bennett sings from his heart. It’s sincere, touching, and as real as can be.

“They Didn’t Believe Me,” as well as The Silver Lining: The Songs of Jerome Kern, is available from iTunes.

Filed Under: Song of the Day Tagged With: Herbert Reynolds, Jerome Kern, The Bill Charlap Trio, The Silver Lining: The Songs of Jerome Kern, Tony Bennett

January 28, 2020 By Suzanne Leave a Comment

Song of the Day: Make Believe

The song of the day for Wednesday, January 29, 2020, is “Make Believe.”

About This Song

“Make Believe” was written by Jerome Kern and Oscar Hammerstein in 1927 for the original stage production of Show Boat. It’s a lovely song, sung by Magnolia Hawks and Gaylord Ravenal as they first begin to fall in love.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “Make Believe” with the Bill Charlap Trio for the album The Silver Lining: The Songs of Jerome Kern, released in 2015.

“Make Believe,” as well as The Silver Lining: The Songs of Jerome Kern, is available from iTunes.

Filed Under: Song of the Day Tagged With: Bill Charlap, Jerome Kern, Oscar Hammerstein, Show Boat, The Bill Charlap Trio, Tony Bennett

October 22, 2019 By Suzanne Leave a Comment

Song of the Day: Dearly Beloved

The song of the day for Wednesday, October 23, 2019, is “Dearly Beloved.”

About This Song

“Dearly Beloved” was written in 1942 by Jerome Kern, with lyrics by Johnny Mercer, for the film You Were Never Lovelier, starring Fred Astaire and Rita Hayworth. The song was nominated for an Academy Award.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “Dearly Beloved” with The Bill Charlap Trio for his 2015 album The Silver Lining: The Songs of Jerome Kern. Bill Charlap wrote the arrangement.

“Dearly Beloved,” as well as The Silver Lining: The Songs of Jerome Kern, is available from iTunes.

Filed Under: Song of the Day Tagged With: Bill Charlap, Jerome Kern, Johnny Mercer, The Bill Charlap Trio, The Silver Lining: The Songs of Jerome Kern, Tony Bennett

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