The Year of Tony Bennett

An Appreciation of the Art and Music of Tony Bennett

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Song of the Day: Tenderly

The song of the day for Friday, November 10, 2023, is “Tenderly.”

About This Song

“Tenderly” was written in 1946 by Walter Gross and Jack Lawrence. It was originally written in 3/4 time, but morphed into 4/4 time and became a jazz standard. Significant recordings include those by Rosemary Clooney, Sarah Vaughan, and Nat King Cole.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “Tenderly” 64 years ago today on November 10, 1959, for his album To My Wonderful One, released in 1960. Frank DeVol wrote the arrangement and conducted the orchestra.

“Tenderly,” 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 Monday, September 25, 2023, is “September Song.”

About This Song

“September Song” was written by Kirt Weill and Maxwell Anderson for the Broadway musical Knickerbocker Holiday, which opened in 1938 starring Walter Huston. Huston had requested a solo song in the production, 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 and conducted 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 Wednesday, August 10, 2022, 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” on November 10, 1959, for the 1960 album To My Wonderful One. It was arranged by Frank DeVol.

“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 Tuesday, April 20, 2021, is “April in Paris.”

About This Song

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

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “April in Paris” for his 1959 album To My Wonderful One. It was arranged by Frank DeVol.

April in Paris

Listen to April in Paris on Spotify. Song · Tony Bennett · 1960

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

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Song of the Day: Laura

The song of the day for Friday, January 22, 2021, is “Laura.”

About This Song

“Laura” was written for the 1944 film of the same name by Davis Raksin, with lyrics by Johnny Mercer, 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), his compositions are often jazz standards. “Laura” has been recorded many times, by both singers and instrumentalists.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “Laura” in 1959 for his album To My Wonderful One. It was arranged by Frank DeVol.

Laura

Tony Bennett · To My Wonderful One · Song · 1960

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