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 Thursday, May 15, 2020, 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. 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” for his 1960 album To My Wonderful One, arranged and conducted by Frank DeVol.

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

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Song of the Day: April in Paris

The song of the day for Monday, April 1, 2019, is “April in Paris.”

About This Song

“April in Paris” was written in 1932 by Vernon Duke and Yip Harburg. It was written for the 1932 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 1960 album To My Wonderful One. Frank DeVol arranged and conducted the album.

April in Paris – Remastered

April in Paris – Remastered, a song by Tony Bennett on Spotify

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

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Song of the Day: Laura

The song of the day for Saturday, March 23, 2019, is “Laura.”

About This Song

“Laura” was written by David Raksin, with lyrics by Johnny Mercer, for the 1944 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); 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 1960 album To My Wonderful One. Frank DeVol wrote the arrangement.

Laura – 2011 Remaster

Laura – 2011 Remaster, a song by Tony Bennett on Spotify

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

About Today

We’re taking a bit of a departure from our regular Saturday video. Today we have the original trailer for the film Laura, which features an instrumental version of today’s song throughout. Keep an eye out for a very young Vincent Price.

Laura | #TBT Trailer | 20th Century FOX

TBT Today is 110th birthday of Otto Preminger, director of 1940s film noir classic “Laura.” This gripping and lushly photographed film noir, one of the most acclaimed mystery thrillers of all time, is a must-own classic on Blu-ray™.

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Song of the Day: Laura

The song of the day for Friday, January 12, 2018 is “Laura.”

About This Song

“Laura” was written by David Raksin, with lyrics from Johnny Mercer, for the 1944 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), 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 the album To My Wonderful One, released in 1960. Frank DeVol did the arrangement and conducted the orchestra.

Laura

Tony Bennett · To My Wonderful One · Song · 1960


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

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Song of the Day: Last Night When We Were Young

The song of the day for Monday, July 31, 2017 is “Last Night When We Were Young.”

About This Song

“Last Night When We Were Young” was written in 1935 by Harold Arlen and Yip Harburg.

Arlen considered “Last Night When We Were Young” to be one of his favorite songs. In American Popular Song, Alec Wilder calls it a “most remarkable and beautiful song … (that) goes far beyond the boundaries of popular music.” Yip Harburg has said that he doesn’t know exactly where the title came from but that “the juxtaposition of those two phrases is almost a whole world of philosophy.” All in all, it’s a very beautiful and introspective song that is much beloved by singers. Frank Sinatra included on his wonderful album In The Wee Small Hours. It has also been recorded by Judy Garland, Mel Tormé, Carmen McRae and, of course, Tony Bennett.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “Last Night When We Were Young” in 1959 for the 1960 album To My Wonderful One. The arrangement was by Frank DeVol, who arranged and conducted the album.

Last Night When We Were Young

Listen to Last Night When We Were Young on Spotify. Song · Tony Bennett · 1960


“Last Night When We Were Young,” as well as To My Wonderful One, is available from iTunes.

About Today

Today marks the end of our look at Mitch Miller, which includes some of Bennett’s greatest recordings as well as others that many would sooner forget. However, we must never forget that it was Mitch Miller who signed Tony Bennett to Columbia, and for that many of us are eternally grateful.