The Year of Tony Bennett

An Appreciation of the Art and Music of Tony Bennett

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Song of the Day: Days of Wine and Roses

The song of the day for Tuesday, August 13, 2024, is “Days of Wine and Roses.”

About This Song

“Days of Wine and Roses” was written by Henry Mancini and Johnny Mercer for the 1962 film of the same name, starring Lee Remick and Jack Lemmon. This movie is arguably the most powerful film ever made about alcoholism and the struggles of Remick and Lemmon to stop drinking. There are scenes in this film that I know I will never forget; it is a true masterpiece. The song won the Academy Award for Best Original Song.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “Days of Wine and Roses” on December 29, 1965, for The Movie Song Album, released in 1966. Larry Wilcox wrote the arrangement.

“Days of Wine and Roses,” as well as The Movie Song Album, is available on Apple Music.

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Song of the Day: The Shadow of Your Smile

The song of the day for Monday, July 1, 2024, is “The Shadow of Your Smile.”

About This Song

“The Shadow of Your Smile” was written by Johnny Mandel and Paul Francis Webster in 1965 for the 1965 film The Sandpiper, starring Richard Burton and Elizabeth Taylor (and was my late mother’s favorite movie). It was filmed, beautifully, in Big Sur on the California coastline. The song won the Academy Award for Best Original Song. Tony Bennett’s 1965 recording won the Grammy Award for Song of the Year.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “The Shadow of Your Smile” on September 26, 1965, for The Movie Song Album, released in 1966. Johnny Mandel wrote the arrangement and conducted the orchestra. The pianist for this recording was Jimmy Rowles.

“The Shadow of Your Smile,” as well as The Movie Song Album, is available on Apple Music.

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Song of the Day: Samba de Orfeu

The song of the day for Saturday, June 22, 2024, is “Samba de Orfeu.”

About This Song

“Samba de Orfeu” was written by Luiz Bonfá for the great 1959 film, Black Orpheus (Orgeu Negro). The film, based on the Greek legend of Orpheus and Eurydice, is set in Rio de Janeiro during Carnaval. The film was an international project, with production companies from Brazil, France, and Italy. It won the Academy Award for Best Foreign Language Film, as well as the Palme d’Or from the Cannes Film Festival. In addition to this song from Luiz Bonfá, the film also contained several bossa nova songs from Antonio Carlos Jobim.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “Samba de Orfeu” on December 29, 1965, for The Movie Song Album, released in 1966. It was arranged by the composer, Luiz Bonfá.

“Samba de Orfeu,” as well as The Movie Song Album, is available on Apple Music.

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Song of the Day: Emily

The song of the day for Wednesday, Jaune 5, 2024, is “Emily.”

About This Song

“Emily” was written in 1964 by Johnny Mandel and Johnny Mercer for the film The Americanization of Emily, starring James Garner and Julie Andrews. The film is set in London in 1944. Emily, played by Julie Andrews, lost her husband, brother and father in the war and finds herself attracted to Charlie Madison, played by James Garner. The film was very well received and is a personal favorite of both of the lead actors.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “Emily” on December 28, 1965, for The Movie Song Album, which was released in 1966. Johnny Mandel wrote the arrangement and conducted the orchestra.

“Emily,” as well as The Movie Song Album, is available on Apple Music.

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Song of the Day: Samba de Orfeu

The song of the day for Sunday, November 5, 2023, is “Samba de Orfeu.”

About This Song

“Samba de Orfeu” was written by Luiz Bonfá for he great 1959 film, Black Orpheus (Orgeu Negro). The film, based on the Greek legend of Orpheus and Eurydice, is set in Rio de Janeiro during Carnaval. The film was an international project, with production companies from Brazil, France and Italy. It won the Academy Award for the Best Foreign Language Film, as well as the Palme d’Or from the Cannes Film Festival. In addition to this song from Luiz Bonfá, the film also contained several bossa nova songs from Antonio Carlos Jobim.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “Samba de Orfeu” on December 28, 1965, for The Movie Song Album, released in 1966. Composer Luiz Bonfá wrote the arrangement.

“Samba de Orfeu,” as well as The Movie Song Album, is available on Apple Music.