The Year of Tony Bennett

An Appreciation of the Art and Music of Tony Bennett

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Song of the Day: Isn’t It Romantic

The song of the day for Tuesday, March 16, 2021, is “Isn’t It Romantic.”

About This Song

“Isn’t It Romantic” was written by Richard Rodgers and Larry Hart for the 1932 movie Love Me Tonight, starring Maurice Chevalier and Jeanette MacDonald. The song has proved to be one of their most popular and has been and still is widely recorded by artists including Chet Baker, Peggy Lee, Mel Tormé, Ella Fitzgerald, and The Bill Evans Trio. In his book American Popular Song, Alec Wilder calls “Isn’t It Romantic” a “perfect song.”

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “Isn’t It Romantic” with The Ruby Braff/George Barnes Quartet for the 1976 album Tony Bennett Sings 10 Rodgers & Hart Songs.

I’ve always found the composition of this quartet both highly unusual and absolutely perfect for Tony’s take on these Rodgers and Hart songs. The quartet features Braff on cornet, George Barnes and Wayne Wright on guitar, and John Guiffrida on bass. Without drums or piano, the sound evokes a lovely period sound for songs written in the 1930s but without being dated.

We’re also celebrating the birth anniversary of Ruby (born Reuben) Braff on March 16, 1927. Braff had a distinguished career playing trumpet and cornet starting in 1954. He died in 2003.

Isn"t It Romantic

Listen to Isn"t It Romantic on Spotify. Tony Bennett · Song · 1973.

“Isn’t It Romantic,” as well as Tony Bennett Sings the Rodgers & Hart Songbook, is available from Apple Music.

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Song of the Day: Wait Till You See Her

The song of the day for Friday, June 28, 2019, is “Wait Till You See Her.”

About This Song

“Wait Till You See Her” was written by Richard Rodgers and Larry Hart for the 1942 Broadway musical By Jupiter, which starred Ray Bolger. Even though the song was well-recieved in previews, it was cut prior to opening in order to tighten up the show. Songs cut from productions are often lost, but Mabel Mercer loved the song and sang it regularly in her act. Other great recordings include those by Ella Fitzgerald and Blossom Dearie.

We’re featuring this song today in honor of Richard Rodgers, who was born on June 28, 1902. Between his work with Larry Hart and Oscar Hammerstein, he bridged the history of American Musical Theater.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “Wait Till You See Her” in 1973, with the Ruby Braff/George Barnes Quartet, which featured Braff on cornet, Barnes and Wayne Wright on guitar, and John Guiffrida on bass. It’s lovely sound for these songs.

“Wait Till You See Her” was released on the 1975 album Tony Bennett Sings 10 Rodgers & Hart Songs, which was released on Bennett’s own Improv label.

Wait Till You See Her

Wait Till You See Her, a song by Tony Bennett on Spotify

“Wait Till You See Her,” as well as Tony Bennett Sings the Rodgers & Hart Songbook, is available from iTunes.

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Song of the Day: I Wish I Were In Love Again

The song of the day for Wednesday, July 16, 2014 is “I Wish I Were In Love Again.”

About This Song

Today’s song, “I Wish I Were In Love Again,” was written for the 1937 Broadway musical Babes In Arms (not to be confused with the Mickey Rooney and Judy Garland film of the same name, released in 1939; however, Rooney and Garland did sing today’s song in the 1948 film Words and Music). Significant recordings include those by Judy Garland (1946), Ella Fitzgerald (1955), and Frank Sinatra(1957). It’s one of the several songs from Babes in Arms that became standards: “My Funny Valentine,” “Where Or When,” “Johnny One Note” and “The Lady Is A Tramp” were also premiered in that musical. Wow.

About This Version

On this day in July, 1973, Tony Bennett and The Ruby Braff/George Barnes Quartet were in a recording studio in New York recording the Rodgers and Hart songs for two Improv records: Tony Bennett Sings 10 Rodgers & Hart Songs and Tony Bennett Sings … More Great Rodger & Hart. You can read more about this session on our sister site, The Interactive Tony Bennett Discography.

For this reason, I’m happy to present a song from that session as the song of the day, though regular readers of this blog will know that I need little excuse to play a Rodgers and Hart song sung by Tony Bennett. Not only are the songs themselves some of the best songs written for the American songbook, these particular recordings are quite extraordinary. The Ruby Braff/George Barnes Quartet consisted of a cornet (Braff), two guitars (Barnes and Wayne Wright) and bass (John Guiffrida). I’ve always found it remarkable that a group with no piano or drums could be so wonderful, but they are; every song on both of these albums is wonderful. Including this one.

http://open.spotify.com/track/4Qytn2uiRVOpuWHmmo1OMt
“I Wish I Were In Love Again,” as well as The Complete Improv Recordings, is available from iTunes.

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