The Year of Tony Bennett

An Appreciation of the Art and Music of Tony Bennett

By Leave a Comment

Song of the Day: Thou Swell

The song of the day for Friday, January 14, 2022, is “Thou Swell.”

About This Song

“Thou Swell” was written by Richard Rodgers and Larry Hart for the 1927 musical A Connecticut Yankee, based on the Mark Twain novel A Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur’s Court. “Thou Swell” is one of the more charming songs from the musical, as the lyrics feature a combination of modern and medieval language: “thine eyes are cute too” and “I’d feel so rich in a hut for two.”

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “Thou Swell” in 1973 with the Ruby Braff-George Barnes Quartet, with Braff on cornet, Barnes and Wayne Wright on guitar, and John Guiffrida on bass. This quartet, without piano or drums, is a wonderful sound these Rodgers and Hart songs. “Thou Swell” was released in 1977 on Tony Bennett Sings More Great Rodgers and Hart on Bennett’s Improv label.

“Thou Swell,” as well as The Complete Improv Recordings is available on Apple Music.

By Leave a Comment

Song of the Day: There’ll Be Some Changes Made

The song of the day for Wednesday, January 1, 2020, is “There’ll Be Some Changes Made.”

About This Song

“There’ll Be Some Changes Made” was written in 1921, with music by Benton Overstreet and lyrics by Billy Higgins, two African-American vaudeville performers. Ethel Waters had a hit recording of this song in late 1921; other early recordings include those by Marion Harris, Josie Miles, Fats Waller, and the Chicago Rhythm Kings. Later recordings include those by Billy Holiday, Peggy Lee and Tony Bennett. Even western singers have been drawn to the song by artists including Chet Atkins, Bob Wills and His Texas Playboys, and Pee Wee Russell’s Rhythmakers.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “There’ll Be Some Changes Made” in 1975 for his album Tony Bennett Sings “Life Is Beautiful”, which was released on Bennett’s own Improv label. Torrie Zito wrote the arrangement.

“There’ll Be Some Changes Made,” as well as The Complete Improv Recordings, is available from iTunes.

About Today

2019 hasn’t been a particularly good year for me. In that spirit, my New Year’s resolution is to stay healthy and blog every single day in 2020. Today’s song indicates some of that thinking for me!

By Leave a Comment

Song of the Day: I Could Write a Book

The song of the day for Wednesday, February 27, 2019, is “I Could Write a Book.”

About This Song

Composed by Richard Rodgers and Lorenz Hart, “I Could Write a Book” was written for the Broadway musical Pal Joey, where it was introduced by Gene Kelly and Leila Ernst. This has always been an interesting song. Today it’s considered a lovely romantic number, but in the context of the musical, it’s sung as a phony love song in order to woo the innocent ingenue. It’s been widely recorded by artists including Frank Sinatra, Rosemary Clooney, Betty Carter, Anita O’Day, and Ella Fitzgerald.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “I Could Write a Book” for the 1976 album Tony Bennett Sings 10 Rodgers and Hart Songs. Readers of this site will know how much I love these recordings. Instead of a traditional band to accompany him, Bennett used a novel sound that does a great job in invoking the period for many of the songs. The band, The Ruby Braff/George Barnes Quartet, consisted of Ruby Braff (cornet), George Barnes and Wayne Wright (guitar), and John Guiffrida (bass). No piano, no drums … it’s an exquisite sound, at least for this listener.

I Could Write A Book

I Could Write A Book, a song by Tony Bennett on Spotify

“I Could Write a Book,” as well as The Complete Improv Recordings, is available from iTunes.

About Today

The Year of Tony Bennett wishes the wonderful Harold Jones a very happy birthday! Mr. Jones has played drums for Tony Bennett for some time now and your author never ceases to be amazed at his talent.

By Leave a Comment

Song of the Day: There’ll Be Some Changes Made

The song of the day for Thursday, August 2, 2018 is “There’ll Be Some Changes Made.”

About This Song

“There’ll Be Some Changes Made” was written in 1921, with music by Benton Overstreet and lyrics by Billy Higgins, two African-American vaudeville performers. Ethel Waters had a hit recording of this song in late 1921; other early recordings include those by Marion Harris, Josie Miles, Fats Waller, and the Chicago Rhythm Kings. Later recordings include those by Billy Holiday, Peggy Lee and Tony Bennett. Even western singers have been drawn to the song by artists including Chet Atkins, Bob Wills and His Texas Playboys and Pee Wee Russell’s Rhythmakers.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “There’ll Be Some Changes Made” in 1975 for his own Improv Label; it was released on Tony Bennett Sings Life Is Beautiful that same year. Torrie Zito wrote the terrific arrangement. As for John Guiffrida’s bass, well it’s recordings like this that make me want to take up the string bass.

There"ll Be Some Changes Made

Listen to There"ll Be Some Changes Made on Spotify. Tony Bennett · Song · 2004.


“There’ll Be Some Changes Made,” as well as The Complete Improv Recordings, is available from iTunes.

About Today

After ten years with my current company, I have decided to make a big change. Tomorrow is my last day and on Monday I start an exciting new job here in Portland. No worries–it shouldn’t interfere with my blogging. 🙂 But if you want to send a few good thoughts my way, I’d be grateful!

By Leave a Comment

Song of the Day: You Took Advantage Of Me

The song of the day for Tuesday, January 24, 2017 is “You Took Advantage Of Me.”

About This Song

Today we feature great Rodgers and Hart song from 1928, “You Took Advantage Of Me.” The song was written for the musical Present Arms. The song quickly found itself a popular standard and has been recorded many times, including those by Bing Crosby with the Paul Whiteman Orchestra, Django Reinhardt and Stephane Grappelli, Anita O’Day, Ella Fitzgerald and Billie Holiday.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded this version of “You Took Advantage Of Me” in 1973 for his second album of Rodgers and Hart songs, Tony Bennett Sings More Great Rodgers and Hart, released on Bennett’s own Improv label. His two Rodgers and Hart albums featured an unusual but incredibly effective quartet of musicians: George Barnes and Wayne Wright on guitar, Ruby Braff on cornet and John Guiffrida on bass. No piano and no drums, but the recordings are really sublime.

You Took Advantage Of Me

Listen to You Took Advantage Of Me on Spotify. Tony Bennett · Song · 2004.


“You Took Advantage Of Me,” as well as The Complete Improv Recordings, is available from iTunes.

About The Secret Theme

Well, we’ve reached the end of the “secret theme” for January and no one guessed (or, more likely, guessed but decided not to mention it). The so-called secret was playing songs in alphabetical order by title, one song for each letter of the alphabet, though we did have to skip X and Z. Next month will feature the first entry for our theme of the year, Tony Bennett’s great collaborators. I think it’s going to be a lot of fun!

Subscribe to The Year of Tony Bennett

Enter your email address to subscribe to this blog and receive notifications of new posts by email.

Current Reader Favorites