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, November 29, 2016 is “Days of Wine and Roses.”

About This Song

This song 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 the Remick and Lemmon to stop drinking. There are scenes in this film that I know I will never forget; it a true masterpiece. The song won the Academy Award for Best Original Song.

About This Version

Tony Bennett and Bill Evans recorded “Days of Wine and Roses” in 1975 for their first album: The Tony Bennett Bill Evans Album.

Days Of Wine And Roses

Bill Evans, Tony Bennett · The Tony Bennett / Bill Evans Album (Expanded Edition) · Song · 1975


“Days of Wine and Roses,” as well as The Tony Bennett / Bill Evans Album, is available from iTunes.

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Song of the Day: When In Rome

The song of the day for Tuesday, August 30, 2016 is “When In Rome.”

About This Song

In the year 2000, part of his 70th birthday celebration at the Library of Congress, Stephen Sondheim chose a list of ‘Songs I Wish I Had Written (At Least in Part).’ On this list were several songs by Cy Coleman and Carolyn Leigh, most of which are songs that Tony Bennett has recorded including “When In Rome,” written in 1964.

About This Version

Tony Bennett and Bill Evans recorded “When In Rome” in 1975 for their first album, The Tony Bennett / Bill Evans Album. It’s worth noting that the inclusion of this song on their album was suggested by Evans, who loved the chord structures. Evans felt that everyone would think the song was Bennett’s idea, due to popular nature of the song. No matter whose idea it was, the result was wonderful.

When In Rome

Tony Bennett, Bill Evans · The Tony Bennett / Bill Evans Album (Expanded Edition) · Song · 1975


“When In Rome,” as well as The Tony Bennett / Bill Evans Album, is available from iTunes.

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Song of the Day: We’ll Be Together Again

The song of the day for Wednesday, August 24, 2016 is “We’ll Be Together Again.”

About This Song

“We’ll Be Together Again” was written by Carl T. Fischer in 1945, who was Frankie Laine’s pianist and musical director. Fischer asked Laine to write the lyrics, which he, quite nicely. In addition to this recording by Tony Bennett and Bill Evans, this song has been recorded by Billie Holiday, Louis Armstrong, Frank Sinatra and, of course, Frankie Laine.

About This Version

Tony Bennett and Bill Evans recorded “We’ll Be Together Again” in 1975 for their first of two album The Tony Bennett / Bill Evans Album. Both of their albums are, in my opinion, sheer perfection and this song is no different.

We"ll Be Together Again

Tony Bennett, Bill Evans · The Tony Bennett / Bill Evans Album (Expanded Edition) · Song · 1975


“We’ll Be Together Again,” as well as The Tony Bennett / Bill Evans Album, is available from iTunes.

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Song of the Day: Some Other Time

The song of the day for Tuesday, May 3, 2016 is “Some Other Time.”

About This Song

Today’s song, “Some Other Time,” is from the score of the 1944 Broadway musical On The Town. Leonard Bernstein composed with score, with lyrics by Adolph Green and Betty Comden. On The Town is the story of three sailors on leave in New York City and their romantic adventures. This song is sung at the end by two of the couples. Inexplicably, this beautiful song was cut from the 1949 film version.

About This Version

Tony Bennett and Bill Evans recorded “Some Other Time” in 1975 for their first album: The Tony Bennett Bill Evans Album. For today, I’ve chosen one of the alternate takes, which many may not have heard. For the definitive collection of recordings from both of their albums, including alternate takes, check out The Complete Tony Bennett / Bill Evans Recordings.

Some Other Time - Take 7

Tony Bennett, Bill Evans · The Tony Bennett / Bill Evans Album (Expanded Edition) · Song · 1975


“Some Other Time,” as well as The Tony Bennett Bill Evans Album, is available from iTunes.

About Today

Today we recognize the 98th anniversary of the year of Betty Comden’s birth on May 3, 1917. Her partnership with Adolph Green began she only 20 and continued until his death in 2002. In addition to their lyrics for composers including Bernstein and Jule Styne, they also wrote the screenplay for Singin’ In The Rain, one of great Hollywood comedies about the introduction of the “talkies.”

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Song of the Day: But Beautiful

The song of the day for Saturday, March 19, 2016 is “But Beautiful.”

About This Song

Jimmy Van Heusen and Johnny Burke wrote “But Beautiful” for Bing Crosby to sing in the 1947 movie The Road to Rio. The song has been widely recorded, including recordings by Bill Evans, Johnny Hartman, Billie Holiday, Gregory Porter, Frank Sinatra and Nat King Cole.

About This Version

Today I’m featuring the impeccable recording that Bill Evans and Tony Bennett made in 1975 for their first album: The Tony Bennett / Bill Evans Album.

But Beautiful

Bill Evans, Tony Bennett · The Tony Bennett / Bill Evans Album (Expanded Edition) · Song · 1975


“But Beautiful,” as well as The Tony Bennett / Bill Evans Album, is available from iTunes.

About Today

Our video is from Bennett’s other recording of “But Beautiful” with Lady Gaga from Cheek To Cheek.

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