An Appreciation of the Art and Music of Tony Bennett
The song of the day for Saturday, January 16, 2021, is “Poor Little Rich Girl.”
Noël Coward wrote “Poor Little Rich Girl” for the 1925 revue On With the Dance. It is one of his most popular songs.
Tony Bennett recorded “Poor Little Rich Girl” in 1959 with The Count Basie Orchestra for the album Basie/Bennett. Ralph Sharon wrote the arrangement.
Poor Little Rich Girl - 1990 Remix / Remaster
Listen to Poor Little Rich Girl - 1990 Remix / Remaster on Spotify. Song · Count Basie, Tony Bennett, Tristan Powell · 1959
“Poor Little Rich Girl,” as well as Bennett/Basie, is available from Apple Music.
The song of the day for Tuesday, December 24, 2019, is “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas.”
“Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas” was written in 1943 by Hugh Martin and Ralph Blane. Hugh Martin, like your author, is from Birmingham, Alabama and, also like your author, attended Birmingham-Southern College.
It was introduced by Judy Garland in the 1944 movie Meet Me In St. Louis. In a Twitter conversation in November 2012, Tony Bennett said that “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas” is his favorite Christmas song.
It’s my favorite Christmas song too.
Tony Bennett recorded “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas” in 2004 for the album A Swingin’ Christmas, which was released in 2008, The album featured The Count Basie Orchestra.
As a Judy Garland fan, I have to offer her original recording from Meet Me In St.Louis:
Boy, am I glad to be back! I wound up in the hospital once again with pneumonia. I’m over the pneumonia, but I am still recovering physically from the ordeal. I’m told this to be expected, so I’m trying to be patient. Meanwhile, I’m hobbling around on a walker, which I need right now but can’t wait to put that thing in the closet.
In order to put in new carpet and flooring in my apartment, they had to pack up all of my stuff and move it out. Except for the kitchen not being affected as it’s all off the floor, it’s like moving in all over again. I’m going to take advantage of the situation to do a little Marie Kondo. But unlike Marie, all books and music bring joy!
Merry Christmas to you all!
The song of the day for Sunday, December 10, 2017 is “Poor Little Rich Girl.”
“Poor Little Rich Girl” was written in or the 1925 revue On With the Dance by Noël Coward. It is one of his most popular songs.
Tony Bennett recorded “Poor Little Rich Girl” in 1959 with Count Basie and His Orchestra for the album Basie/Bennett.
Poor Little Rich Girl - 1990 Remix / Remaster
Listen to Poor Little Rich Girl - 1990 Remix / Remaster on Spotify. Song · Count Basie, Tony Bennett, Tristan Powell · 1959
Today is the second day of the Twelve Days of a Tony Bennett Christmas.
The song of the day for Thursday, December 15, 2016 is “I’ve Got My Love To Keep Me Warm.”
“I’ve Got My Love To Keep Me Warm” was written by Irving Berlin for the 1937 movie On The Avenue, starring Dick Powell and Alice Faye, who introduced the song in the movie. Billie Holiday recorded it 1937 as did Mildred Bailey. Other notable recordings include those by Bing Crosby, Ella Fitzgerald and Doris Day.
Tony Bennett and Antonia Bennett recorded “I’ve Got My Love To Keep Me Warm” for the 2008 album A Swingin’ Christmas, recorded with The Count Basie Big Band.
I"ve Got My Love to Keep Me Warm (feat. Count Basie Big Band)
Listen to I"ve Got My Love to Keep Me Warm (feat. Count Basie Big Band) on Spotify. Song · Tony Bennett, Count Basie Big Band · 2008
The song of the day for Tuesday, March 8m, 2016 is “I Guess I’ll Have to Change My Plan.”
“I Guess I’ll Have To Change My Plan” was written for the 1929 revue The Little Show by Arthur Schwartz and Howard Dietz, where it was introduced by Clifton Webb. It was a featured song in the 1953 movie The Band Wagon, where it was sung by Fred Astaire and Oscar Levant. Even though the original title was “I Guess I’ll Have to Change My Plan,” it more often sung with Plans.
Tony Bennett recorded this version of “I Guess I’ll Have to Change My Plan” in 1959 with The Count Basie Orchestra for the album Basie/Bennett, which was released the same year. The orchestration is by Ralph Sharon.
I Guess I"ll Have to Change My Plans - 1990 Remix / Remaster
Listen to I Guess I"ll Have to Change My Plans - 1990 Remix / Remaster on Spotify. Song · Count Basie, Tony Bennett, Tristan Powell · 1959