The Year of Tony Bennett

An Appreciation of the Art and Music of Tony Bennett

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Song of the Day: Trav’lin’ Light

The song of the day for Saturday, August 3, 2024, is “Trav’lin’ Light.”

About Today

Today would have been Tony Bennett’s 98th birthday. Although I am so sad that he’s left us, I am also grateful and happy that he left his art and music for us to listen to and enjoy.

About This Song

“Trav’lin’ Light” was written in 1942 by Trummy Young and Jimmy Mundy, with lyrics by Johnny Mercer. This wonderful song was first recorded by Paul Whiteman with Billie Holiday on vocals. It’s a wonderful, classic Mercer lyric and the tune is lovely. In addition to this recording, this song has been recorded by Anita O’Day, Peggy Lee, Queen Latifah, Shirley Horn, and Sonny Rollins.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “Trav’lin’ Light” in June 1996 for his album tribute to Billy Holiday, Tony Bennett On Holiday, released in 1997. Jorge Calandrelli wrote the arrangement.

“Trav’lin’ Light,” as well as Tony Bennett on Holiday, is available on Apple Music.

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Song of the Day: Trav’lin’ Light

The song of the day for Tuesday, February 2, 2021, is “Trav’lin’ Light.”

About This Song

“Trav’lin’ Light” was written in 1942 by Trummy Young and Jimmy Mundy, with lyrics by Johnny Mercer. This wonderful song was first recorded by Paul Whiteman with Billie Holiday on vocals. It’s a wonderful, classic Mercer lyric and the tune is lovely. In addition to this recording, this song has been recorded by Anita O’Day, Peggy Lee, Queen Latifah, Shirley Horn, and Sonny Rollins.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “Trav’ lin’ Light” for his 1997 album Tony Bennett On Holiday, a tribute to Billie Holiday.

Trav"lin" Light

Tony Bennett · Tony Bennett On Holiday: A Tribute To Billie Holiday · Song · 1997

“Trav’lin’ Light,” as well as Tony Bennett On Holiday, is available from Apple Music.

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Song of the Day: What a Little Moonlight Can Do

The song of the day for Saturday, June 15, 2019, is “What a Little Moonlight Can Do.”

About This Song

Today’s song, “What a Little Moonlight Can Do,” was written in 1934 by Harry M. Woods. This charming song was written by Woods while he was living and working in temporarily in London for a British film studio as a composer. One of the songs he wrote was “What A Little Moonlight Can Do” for a movie called Road House. Billie Holiday, with Teddy Wilson and His Orchestra, recorded the song in 1935.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “What a Little Moonlight Can Do” in 1996 for the album em>Tony Bennett On Holiday: A Tribute To Billie Holiday. The arrangement is by Jorge Calandrelli.

What A Little Moonlight Can Do

What A Little Moonlight Can Do, a song by Tony Bennett on Spotify

“What a Little Moonlight Can Do,” as well as Tony Bennett On Holiday: A Tribute To Billie Holiday, is available from iTunes.

Here’s Billie Holiday’s 1935 recording with Teddy Wilson and His Orchestra:

What a Little Moonlight Can Do (with Teddy Wilson & His Orchestra)

What a Little Moonlight Can Do (with Teddy Wilson & His Orchestra), a song by Billie Holiday, Teddy Wilson on Spotify

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Song of the Day: That Ole Devil Called Love

The song of the day for Tuesday, March 12, 2019, is “That Ole Devil Called Love.”

About This Song

“That Ole Devil Called Love” was written in 1945, with music by Doris Fisher and lyrics by Allan Roberts. Composer Fisher, daughter of songwriter Fred Fisher, was so popular in the 1940s that she was called “Queen of the Jukebox.” She often wrote with Allan Roberts. She was also a talented singer and performer. Other of her songs include “You Always Hurt The One You Love.”

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “That Ole Devil Called Love” in 1996 for his album Tony Bennett On Holiday: A Tribute to Billie Holiday, which was released in 1997.

That Ole Devil Called Love

That Ole Devil Called Love, a song by Tony Bennett on Spotify

“That Ole Devil Called Love,” as well as Tony Bennett On Holiday, is available from iTunes.

Here’s Billie’s version from 1945.

That Ole Devil Called Love

That Ole Devil Called Love, a song by Billie Holiday on Spotify

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Song of the Day: She’s Funny That Way

The song of the day for Thursday, August 8, 2013 is “She’s Funny That Way.”

About This Song

“She’s Funny That Way” was written in 1929 by Neil Moret, with lyrics by Richard Whiting, father of the singer Margaret Whiting. It was the only time that Whiting wrote lyrics for any songwriter other than himself. The song was one of the early “crooner” songs and was originally recorded by Gene Austin, who, along with Cliff “Ukulele Ike” Edwards, were two of the first crooners using that new invention of the condenser microphone.

About This Version

Today’s song is from Tony Bennett On Holiday: A Tribute to Billie Holiday, released in 1997. Bennett won the Grammy Award for Best Traditional Pop Vocal Performance for this album. The cover features Bennett’s portrait of Billie Holiday.

http://open.spotify.com/track/4vXfn1ld04YZNBLdXKx5l9
“She’s Funny That Way,” as well as the album Tony Bennett on Holiday: A Tribute to Billie Holiday, is available from iTunes.

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