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The Year of Tony Bennett

An Appreciation of the Art and Music of Tony Bennett

October 1, 2020 By Suzanne Leave a Comment

Song of the Day: That Old Black Magic

The song of the day for Friday, October 2, 2020, is “That Old Black Magic.”

About This Song

One of the great songs by Harold Arlen and Johnny Mercer, “That Old Black Magic” was written in 1942 and first recorded by Glenn Miller. It was used in the 1942 movie Star Spangled Rhythm. It’s been recorded many times and used in several films, including the 1956 film Bus Stop, where it was sung by Marilyn Monroe.

About This Version

Tony Bennett and The Dave Brubeck Trio recorded “That Old Black Magic” in 1962 in Washington DC. Both had been asked to perform at the White House in a concert in honor of that year’s Presidential Scholars. So many people wanted to attend that the concert was moved from the White Grounds to the park area by the Washington Monument. After Bennett and Brubeck did their separate sets, Bennett and Brubeck’s Trio returned for a completely unrehearsed improv session. “That Old Black Magic” was one of the songs they played that night. The concert tapes were thought long-lost, but were discovered in 2012 in the Columbia vaults in the classical music section. 2013 gave us Bennett & Brubeck: White House Sessions, Live 1962. It’s a wonderful album.

“That Old Black Magic,” as well as Bennett & Brubeck: The White House Sessions, Live 1962, is available from Apple Music.

Filed Under: Song of the Day Tagged With: Bennett & Brubeck: The White House Sessions Live 1962, Dave Brubeck, Harold Arlen, Johnny Mercer, The Dave Brubeck Trio, Tony Bennett

March 14, 2020 By Suzanne Leave a Comment

Tony Live! There Will Never Be Another You

The song of the day for Sunday, March 15, 2020, is “There Will Never Be Another You.”

About This Song

“There Will Never Be Another You” was written in 1942 by Harry Warren and Mack Gordon for a Sonja Henie vehicle called Iceland, starring Miss Henie and John Payne as a U.S. Marine stationed in Iceland during World War II. The song was introduced in the movie by Joan Merrill. Amazingly, this beautiful song was not nominated for an Academy Award. No matter. The song has become a serious jazz standard and has had many fine recordings, including Bennett’s 1959 recording with Count Basie and his 1962 improvisation with Dave Brubeck at the White House Sessions. Other significant recordings include those by Lionel Hampton, Chet Baker, Nat King Cole, and Sonny Rollins.

About This Version

Tony Bennett and The Dave Brubeck Trio recorded “There Will Never Be Another You” in an unplanned jam session after both artists had finished their sets. The fantastic result was taped and released on Bennett/Brubeck: The White House Sessions, Live 1962.

I hope you’ve enjoyed our examination of Bennett/Brubeck: The White House Sessions, Live 1962. Check in next week as we look at his Vegas show: Live at the Sahara: From This Moment On.

“There Will Never Be Another You,” as well as Bennett/Brubeck: The White House Sessions, Live 1962, is available from iTunes.

Filed Under: Tony Live! Tagged With: Bennett/Brubeck The White House Sessions Live 1962, Harry Warren, Mack Gordon, The Dave Brubeck Trio, Tony Bennett, Tony Live!

March 7, 2020 By Suzanne Leave a Comment

Tony Live! Chicago

The song of the day for Sunday, March 8, 2020, is “Chicago.”

About This Song

“Chicago” was written in 1932 by Fred Fisher. If there is any song associated with the great city of Chicago, it is this song. It’s been widely recorded by singers including Count Basie and Tony Bennett, Rosemary Clooney, Frank Sinatra, Judy Garland, and many, many more.

About This Version

We’re continuing our review of the songs that Bennett sang with the Dave Brubeck Trio. Their second song in the set was “Chicago,” captured on Bennett/Brubeck: The White House Sessions, Live 1962.

“Chicago,” as well as Bennett/Brubeck: The White House Sessions, Live 1962, is available from iTunes.

Filed Under: Tony Live! Tagged With: Bennett & Brubeck: The White House Sessions Live 1962, Dave Brubeck, Fred Fisher, The Dave Brubeck Trio, Tony Bennett, Tony Live!

October 16, 2019 By Suzanne Leave a Comment

Song of the Day: That Old Black Magic

The song of the day for Thursday, October 17, 2019, is “That Old Black Magic.”

About Today

I really do try hard to not repeat songs too often as the song of the day. In fact, I strive for balance of recordings that we Tony Bennett fans know and love with lesser-known but equally terrific recordings. Today is one of those exceptions–I found myself singing “That Old Black Magic” in the shower this morning and knew I had to showcase it today. It’s just one of those songs!

About This Song

One of the great songs by Harold Arlen and Johnny Mercer, “That Old Black Magic” was written in 1942 and first recorded by Glenn Miller and was also used in the 1942 movie Star Spangled Rhythm. It’s been recorded many times and used in several films, including the 1956 film Bus Stop, where it was sung by Marilyn Monroe.

About This Version

Tony Bennett and the Dave Brubeck Trio (Brubeck on piano, Eugene Wright on bass, and Joe Morello on drums) recorded this improvisation of “That Old Black Magic” on August 28, 1962, at a concert celebrating that year’s White House interns.

The tapes from that concert were long thought lost. They were recently discovered in the Sony/Columbia vaults, filed accidentally in the classical section, and released in 2013 on Bennett/Brubeck: The White House Sessions, Live 1962.

“That Old Black Magic,” as well as Bennett/Brubeck: The White House Sessions, Live 1962, is available from iTunes.

Filed Under: Song of the Day Tagged With: Bennett/Brubeck The White House Sessions Live 1962, Dave Brubeck, Eugene Wright, Harold Arlen, Joe Morello, Johnny Mercer, The Dave Brubeck Trio, Tony Bennett

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