The Year of Tony Bennett

An Appreciation of the Art and Music of Tony Bennett

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Song of the Day: Laura

The song of the day for Wednesday, April 2, 2025, is “Laura.”

About This Song

“Laura” was written by David Raksin and Johnny Mercer for the 1944 film Laura, starring Gene Tierney and Dana Andrews. David Raksin was known as a film composer (he also wrote the title song for “The Bad and the Beautiful”, which is included on the Bill Evans-Tony Bennett album Together Again) and his compositions are often jazz standards. “Laura” has been recorded many times, by both singers and instrumentalists.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “Laura” on November 10, 1959, for his 1960 album, To My Wonderful One. Frank DeVol wrote the arrangement and conducted the orchestra.

“Laura,” as well as To My Wonderful One, is available on Apple Music.

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Song of the Day: Laura

The song of the day for Sunday, November 10, 2024, is “Laura.”

About This Song

“Laura” was written by David Raksin and Johnny Mercer for the 1944 film of the same name, starring Gene Tierney and Dana Andrews. David Raksin was known as a film composer (he also wrote the title song for “The Bad and the Beautiful,” which is included on the Bill Evans-Tony Bennett album Together Again), his compositions are often jazz standards. “Laura” has been recorded many times, by both singers and instrumentalists.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “Laura” 65 years ago today on November 10, 1959, for To My Wonderful One. The album was arranged and conducted by Frank DeVol.

“Laura,” as well as To My Wonderful One, is available on Apple Music.

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Song of the Day: September Song

The song of the day for Saturday, September 1, 2024, is “September Song.”

About This Song

“September Song” was written by Kurt Weill and Maxwell Anderson for the 1938 Broadway musical Knickerbocker Holiday, starring Walter Huston. Huston had requested to have a solo song in the production and so Weill and Anderson wrote “September Song” with careful attention to Huston’s limited singing skills. In spite of a limited range, the poignant quality of the lyrics and the charming tune make for a quite pleasant song that has found great popularity among singers, including Bing Crosby, Frank Sinatra, and even Lou Reed.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “September Song” on November 11, 1959, for his album To My Wonderful One, released in 1960. It was arranged by Frank DeVol.

“September Song,” as well as To My Wonderful One, is available on Apple Music.

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Song of the Day: Laura

The song of the day for Friday, August 30, 2024, is “Laura.”

About This Song

“Laura” was written in 1944 by David Raksin and Johnny Mercer for the film of the same name, starring Gene Tierney and Dana Andrews. Raksin was known as a film composer (he also wrote the title song for The Bad and the Beautiful, which is included on the Bill Evans-Tony Bennett album Together Again), and his compositions are often jazz standards. “Laura” has been recorded many times, by both singers and instrumentalists.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “Laura” on November 29, 1959, for the album To My Wonderful One, released in 1960. It was arranged by Frank DeVol. On a side note, Bucky Pizzarelli played guitar on this album.

“Laura,” as well as To My Wonderful One, is available on Apple Music.

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Song of the Day: April in Paris

The song of the day for Monday, April 1, 2024, is “April in Paris.”

About This Song

“April in Paris” was written by Vernon Duke and Yip Harburg in 1932 for the Broadway musical Walk A Little Faster. Alec Wilder calls it “a perfect theater song.”

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “April in Paris” on November 12, 1959, for the album To My Wonderful One, released in 1960. It was arranged and conducted by Frank DeVol.

“April in Paris,” as well as To My Wonderful One, is available on Apple Music.