The Year of Tony Bennett

An Appreciation of the Art and Music of Tony Bennett

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Song of the Day: My Foolish Heart

The song of the day for Friday, June 10, 2015 is “My Foolish Heart.”

About This Song

Today’s song, “My Foolish Heart,” was written in 1949 by Victor Young and Ned Washington for the film of the same name. The film was based on a J.D. Salinger short story; the film received very poor reviews and was such a bad experience for Salinger that he refused to talk to Hollywood ever again about rights to any of his work.

About This Version

Today’s version is from the 1975 album The Tony Bennett / Bill Evans Album, the first of their two albums.

I’ve heard many awful renditions of this song over the years. But in the hands of these two masters, it is as significant and meaningful as any art song every written.

About Today

I’m really happy to be back. I’m not 100% yet, but am getting there. Thanks to everyone for your support and well-wishes. As Duke Ellington would say, “I love you madly.”

My Foolish Heart

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


“My Foolish Heart,” as well as The Complete Tony Bennett / Bill Evans Recordings, is available from iTunes.

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Song of the Day: Some Other Time

The song of the day for Friday, May 22, 2015 is “Some Other Time.”

About This Song

“Some Other Time” was composed by Leonard Bernstein with lyrics by Betty Comden and Adolph Green in 1944 for the musical On The Town, 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 recorded this song in 1975 with Bill Evans for The Tony Bennett Bill Evans Album. I love this album dearly and this recording most of all. The reviewer Steve Schwartz noted in his review on the Classical Net website:

The high point of the album for me is Leonard Bernstein’s “Some Other Time,” from his first show, On the Town. I can’t think of too many singers diligent enough to seek the song out or with the courage to perform it. Though gorgeous, this number has several land mines for the singer – unusual harmonic shifts and, most obviously, the climactic phrase “Oh well,” beginning on the highest note in the song and descending an octave. The snare usually results in either a constricted or falsetto’d “Oh,” and there’s no place for the singer to hide. Bennett carries it off.

Indeed he does.

Some Other Time

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


“Some Other Time,” as well as The Complete Tony Bennett / Bill Evans Album Recordings, is available from iTunes. This set includes both of the albums that Bennett and Evans recorded: The Tony Bennett Bill Evans Album and Together Again, along with alternate versions for several songs.

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Song of the Day: But Beautiful

The song of the day for Saturday, March 21, 2015 is “But Beautiful.”

About This Song

“But Beautiful” was written in 1947 by Jimmy Van Heusen and Johnny Burke for the movie The Road to Rio, where it was sung by Bing Crosby. 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’s version of “But Beautiful” is from 1975: Tony Bennett and Bill Evans on The Tony Bennett Bill Evans Album, their first album together. I can, and have, listened to this album for days on end and still find new things each time I listen. This song is one my favorites from the album.

But Beautiful

Listen to But Beautiful on Spotify. Song · Tony Bennett, Bill Evans · 1989


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

About Today

It’s video Saturday and today we feature the Tony Bennett’s and Lady Gaga’s duet of today’s song. I love the part where Tony takes out his handkerchief and wipes away a tear from Lady Gaga’s face.

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Song of the Day: My Foolish Heart

The song of the day for Wednesday, March 4, 2015 is “My Foolish Heart.”

About This Song

Composed by Victor Young, with lyrics by Ned Washington, “My Foolish Heart” was written for a widely-panned film of the same name, based on a J.D. Salinger short story. Time magazine excoriated the score: “nothing offsets the blight of such tear-splashed excesses as the bloop-bleep-bloop of a sentimental ballad on the soundtrack.” The experience of the film caused Mr. Salinger to never speak to anyone from Hollywood ever again. But in spite of all that, the song is lovely and is one of the most beloved songs performed by jazz and cabaret artists.

About This Version

Today’s version of “My Foolish Heart” is from the first of Tony Bennett’s and Bill Evans’ albums: The Tony Bennett Bill Evans Album, recorded and released in 1975 under the Fantasy label. The album is revered by many jazz fans of both artists (including your author) and is widely considered to be one of the finest jazz vocal albums ever made. This is due in no small part to the fact that Bill Evans is not just an accompanist; these are two musicians, each masters of their respective instruments, making extraordinary music.

My Foolish Heart

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


“My Foolish Heart,” as well as The Tony Bennett Bill Evans Album, is available from iTunes.

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Song of the Day: But Beautiful

The song of the day for Saturday, January 31, 2015 is “But Beautiful.”

About This Song

Today’s song, “But Beautiful,” was written in 1947 by Jimmy Van Heusen and Johnny Burke. It was written 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

Tony Bennett recorded “But Beautiful” in 1975 with Bill Evans for their groundbreaking The Tony Bennett Bill Evans Album. Widely admired by critics and fans of both musicians, it is an extraordinary jazz outing. Every song on the album is wonderful; “But Beautiful” is one of the best.

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

Once again, it’s Saturday. Tony Bennett and Lady Gaga recorded “But Beautiful” for their new album, Cheek To Cheek and that is today’s video.