An Appreciation of the Art and Music of Tony Bennett
The song of the day for Sunday, June 27, 2021, is “Blue Velvet.”
“Blue Velvet” was written in 1950 by Bernie Wayne and Lee Morris. Tony Bennett’s 1951 single was the first recording of this song.
Tony Bennett sang Blue Velvet at his 1962 concert at Carnegie Hall, captured on Tony Bennett At Carnegie Hall.
Blue Velvet - Live at Carnegie Hall, New York, NY - June 1962
Listen to Blue Velvet - Live at Carnegie Hall, New York, NY - June 1962 on Spotify. Tony Bennett, Ralph Sharon & His Orchestra · Song · 1962.
“Blue Velvet,” as well as Tony Bennett At Carnegie Hall is available on Apple Music.
The song of the day for Saturday, June 26, 2021, is “Rags To Riches.”
“Rags To Riches” was written in 1953 by Richard Adler and Jerry Ross. When Tony Bennett first heard “Rags to Riches,” he hated the song and was forced by Mitch Miller to record it. With a very nice arrangement by Percy Faith, the recording was a huge hit for Bennett and earned him a gold record. Thankfully, Bennett grew to enjoy singing the song. Martin Scorcese used the 1953 recording in the opening of Goodfellas, which helped find a new audience for this song.
Tony Bennett sand “Rags To Riches” at his 1962 concert at Carnegie Hall, recorded and released on Tony Bennett At Carnegie Hall.
Blue Velvet - Live at Carnegie Hall, New York, NY - June 1962
Listen to Blue Velvet - Live at Carnegie Hall, New York, NY - June 1962 on Spotify. Tony Bennett, Ralph Sharon & His Orchestra · Song · 1962.
“Rags To Riches,” as well as Tony Bennett At Carnegie Hall is available on Apple Music.
The song of the day for Friday, June 25, 2021, is “Pennies From Heaven.”
“Pennies From Heaven” was written in 1936 by Arthur Johnston and Johnny Burke. Bing Crosby introduced the song in a movie of the same name. It’s one of the classic Great Depression songs.
Tony Bennett sang “Pennies From Heaven” at Carnegie Hall concert on June 9, 1962, captured on album Tony Bennett At Carnegie Hall.
Pennies from Heaven (From "Pennies from Heaven") - Live at Carnegie Hall, New York, NY - June 1962
Listen to Pennies from Heaven (From "Pennies from Heaven") - Live at Carnegie Hall, New York, NY - June 1962 on Spotify. Tony Bennett, Ralph Sharon & His Orchestra · Song · 1962.
“Pennies From Heaven,” as well as Tony Bennett At Carnegie Hall is available on Apple Music.
The song of the day for Thursday, June 24, 2021, is “Taking a Chance on Love.”
“Taking a Chance on Love” was written in 1940 by Vernon Duke, with lyrics by John La Touche and Ted Fetter, for the 1940 Broadway musical Cabin in the Sky, where it was introduced by the great Ethel Waters and Dooley Wilson. The song works well for both jazz singers and instrumentalists, with significant recordings by Dave Brubeck, Tony Bennett, Judy Garland, and Dizzy Gillespie.
Tony Bennett sang “Taking a Chance on Love” on June 9, 1962, at his Carnegie Hall concert, recorded for the album Tony Bennett At Carnegie Hall. Prior to the concert, Bennett had recorded “Taking a Chance on Love” twice: in 1956 the album Tony and again in 1958 with The Count Basie Orchestra for In Person!
Taking A Chance On Love (From "Cabin In The Sky") (with Ralph Sharon & his Orchestra) - Live at Carnegie Hall, New York, NY - June 1962
Listen to Taking A Chance On Love (From "Cabin In The Sky") (with Ralph Sharon & his Orchestra) - Live at Carnegie Hall, New York, NY - June 1962 on Spotify. Tony Bennett, Ralph Sharon & His Orchestra · Song · 1962.
“Taking a Chance on Love,” as well as Tony Bennett At Carnegie Hall is available on Apple Music.
The song of the day for Wednesday, June 23, 2021, is “I’m Just a Lucky So and So.”
“I’m Just a Lucky So and So” was written by Duke Ellington and Mack David in 1945. A favorite song of Tony Bennett, “I’m Just a Lucky So-and-So” has also been recorded by Billy Eckstine, Louis Armstrong, Ella Fitzgerald, and Sarah Vaughan.
Tony Bennett sang “I’m Just a Lucky So and So” live at his Carnegie Hall concert on June 9, 1962. The concert was taped and released in August 1962 as Tony Bennett At Carnegie Hall.
I"m Just A Lucky So And So - Live at Carnegie Hall, New York, NY - June 1962
Listen to I"m Just A Lucky So And So - Live at Carnegie Hall, New York, NY - June 1962 on Spotify. Tony Bennett, Ralph Sharon & His Orchestra · Song · 1962.
“I’m Just a Lucky So and So,” as well as Tony Bennett At Carnegie Hall is available on Apple Music.