An Appreciation of the Art and Music of Tony Bennett
What date is that? It’s December 13, 2020, and you don’t want to miss it.
It’s almost time for The Twelve Days of a Tony Bennett Christmas, which starts on December 13! Get ready for a festival of Tony Bennett singing Christmas carols and songs.
We can’t think of a better way to count down to Christmas Day and we hope you’ll be joining us.
The song of the day for Tuesday, December 25, 2018, is “A Child Is Born.”
Today is the twelfth day of The Twelve Days of a Tony Bennett Christmas.
“A Child Is Born” was written in 1969 by Thad Jones, whose younger brother, Elvin, was a noted jazz drummer. Thad Jones was a member of the Count Basie Orchestra starting in 1954. He left the orchestra in 1963 to pursue a career as an arranger and studio trumpet player and later moved to Denmark. “A Child Is Born” is his best-known composition; the wonderful lyrics are by Alec Wilder.
Tony Bennett and Bill Evans recorded “A Child Is Born” in 1976 for their second album: Together Again. This is one of the alternate versions of “A Child Is Born,” specifically alternate take 7 and only appears on The Complete Tony Bennett/Bill Evans Recordings.
A Child Is Born (alternate take 7) – alternate
A Child Is Born (alternate take 7) – alternate, a song by Tony Bennett, Bill Evans on Spotify
“A Child Is Born,” as well as The Complete Tony Bennett/Bill Evans Recordings, is available from iTunes.
The song of the day for Sunday, December 23, 2018, is the Christmas medley from the album Snowfall: The Tony Bennett Christmas Album.
Today is the tenth day of The Twelve Days of a Tony Bennett Christmas.
This medley contains “We Wish You a Merry Christmas,” “Silent Night,” “O Come, All Ye Faithful,” “Jingle Bells,” and “Where Is Love.”
Tony Bennett recorded this medley for Snowfall: The Tony Bennett Christmas Album. in 1968, with musical direction by Robert Farnon.
Medley
Medley, a song by Tony Bennett on Spotify
“Snowfall Christmas Medley,” as well as Snowfall: The Tony Bennett Christmas Album, is available from iTunes.
The song of the day for Saturday, December 22, 2018, is “I’ll Be Home For Christmas.”
Today is the eighth day of The Twelve Days of a Tony Bennett Christmas.
“I’ll Be Home For Christmas” was written in 1943 by Walter Kent (music) and Buck Ram and Kim Gannon (lyrics).
This song, released at the height of World War II, tells the story of a soldier stationed overseas, who yearns to be home with family for Christmas, if only in his dreams. Bing Crosby recorded this song in 1943 and it was a best seller. The War Department issued a V-Disc with Crosby’s versions of this song and “White Christmas” that was sent to soldiers stationed all over the world. One wonders if the young soldier Anthony Benedetto, who was stationed in Germany, might have listened to this v-disc at some point.
Our version of “I’ll Be Home For Christmas” was recorded live on The Daily Show with John Stewart in 1994. This recording was added to the CD release of Snowfall: The Tony Bennett Christmas Album.
I’ll Be Home For Christmas – Live
I’ll Be Home For Christmas – Live, a song by Tony Bennett on Spotify
Snowfall: The Tony Bennett Christmas Album is available from iTunes.
Our video today is from the recording of “A Swingin’ Christmas” with the Count Basie Big Band.
Tony Bennett – I’ll Be Home for Christmas (from A Swingin’ Christmas)
Music video by Tony Bennett performing I’ll Be Home for Christmas. (C) 2008 Sony Music Entertainment http://vevo.ly/drSn64
The song of the day for Friday, December 21, 2018, is “I’ve Got My Love To Keep Me Warm.”
Today is the eighth day of The Twelve Days of a Tony Bennett Christmas.
“I’ve Got My Love To Keep Me Warm” was written by Irving Berlin for the 1937 movie On The Avenue, starring Dick Powell and Alice Faye, who introduced the song in the movie. Billie Holiday recorded it 1937 as did Mildred Bailey. Other notable recordings include those by Bing Crosby, Ella Fitzgerald, and Doris Day.
Tony Bennett and his daughter Antonia Bennett recorded “I’ve Got My Love To Keep Me Warm” for the 2008 album A Swingin’ Christmas. Lee Musiker did the arrangement.
I’ve Got My Love to Keep Me Warm
I’ve Got My Love to Keep Me Warm, a song by Tony Bennett, Antonia Bennett on Spotify
“I’ve Got My Love To Keep Me Warm,” as well as A Swingin’ Christmas, is available from iTunes.