The Year of Tony Bennett

An Appreciation of the Art and Music of Tony Bennett

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Song of the Day: That Ole Devil Called Love

The song of the day for Tuesday, June 24, 2014 is “That Ole Devil Called Love.”

About This Song

“That Ole Devil Called Love” was written in 1944 by Allan Roberts and Doris Fisher. Billie Holiday made the first recording in 1945, as the B-Side to “Lover Man.” Other recordings include those by Ella Fitzgerald, Tony Bennett , Johnny Griffin and Susanna McCorkle.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “That Ole Devil Called Love” in January, 1997 for his tribute album to Billie Holiday, Tony Bennett On Holiday. This is a very fine album, made more so by Bennett working with Bobby Tucker, the former pianist for Miss Holiday. This, song as well as the entire album, was arranged and conducted by Jorge Calandrelli. Ralph Sharon played the piano.

http://open.spotify.com/track/2XTPGs0a732J32miBGWD9f
“That Ole Devil Called Love,” as well as the album Tony Bennett On Holiday, is available from iTunes.

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Song of the Day: Laughing at Life

The song of the day for Friday, June 20, 2014 is “Laughing at Life.”

About This Song

“Laughing At Life” was composed in 1930 by Bob Todd and Cornell Todd, with lyrics by Charles F. Kenny and Nick A. Kenny. Billie Holiday recorded it several times with different musicians including Lester Young and Count Basie. The song has also been recorded by Frankie Laine, Roy Eldridge, Carmen McRae and Milt Hinton.

About This Version

Your intrepid blogger has been in a Billie Holiday mood for several days now and so it’s no surprise that today’s song is from Tony Bennett’s tribute album to Billie Holiday, Tony Bennett On Holiday. Bennett picked a wonderful selection of songs for this album, described in his autobiography The Good Life:

People often focus on the negative aspects of Billie’s short and tragic life, on her sad songs. But I wanted to concentrate on the optimistic side of her legacy. … I wanted to put the emphasis on her upbeat songs like “All Of Me,” “Laughing At Life” and “What A Little Moonlight Can Do.” … She was truly the Goddess of Style, and she changed music forever.

It’s a charming arrangement by Jorge Calandrelli and I hope you enjoy it as much as I do.

http://open.spotify.com/track/2X2mtLVpajxCJog0ixGJp9
“Laughing at Life,” as well as the album Tony Bennett On Holiday, is available from iTunes.

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Song of the Day: My Old Flame

The song of the day for Friday, June 13, 2014 is “My Old Flame.”

About This Song

“My Old Flame” was written by Arthur Johnston (music) and Sam Coslow (lyrics) in 1934 for the movie Belle of the Nineties, which starred Mae West. Miss West was an ardent fan of Duke Ellington and insisted that Ellington and His Orchestra appear in the film and accompany her for the singing of this song.

The song has been widely recorded by artists including Cootie Williams, Ben Webster, Dinah Washington and Billie Holiday, among others.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “My Old Flame” for his 1997 tribute album to Billie Holiday, Tony Bennett On Holiday. There are many fine recordings on this album in addition to today’s song including “Trav’lin’ Light,” “Good Morning, Heartache” and “Me, Myself and I.” The album features Ralph Sharon on piano, with strings arranged by Jorge Calandrelli.

http://open.spotify.com/track/2jBarJ6zzh3TyZn1hZqpMT
“My Old Flame,” as well as the album Tony Bennett On Holiday, is available from iTunes.

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Song of the Day: These Foolish Things

The song of the day for Monday, May 12, 2014 is “These Foolish Things.”

About This Song

“These Foolish Things: was composed by Jack Strachey, with lyrics by Eric Mashwitz (as Holt Marvell) for a revue named Spread It Abroad. Although written and first performed in 1936, “These Foolish Things” was not an immediate hit. In fact, Maschwitz’ agent refused to publish the song and so Maschwitz himself did. There were several fine recordings in the 1930s, including one by Billie Holiday with the Teddy Wilson Orchestra and Benny Goodman. In the 1950s, the song became even more popular, with recordings by Artie Shaw, Nat King Cole, Art Pepper and Johnny Hartman. ”These Foolish Things” ranks #28 on jazzstandards.org and is still widely played and recorded.

About This Version

Tony Bennett chose this song for his tribute album to Billie Holiday, Tony Bennett On Holiday, released in 1997. The strings were orchestrated by Jorge Calandrelli and features Ralph Sharon on piano. The album was produced by Tony Bennett and his son, Danny Bennett.

http://open.spotify.com/track/38J0EAfT8bR9U0XFrqp53f
“These Foolish Things,” as well as the album Tony Bennett On Holiday, is available from iTunes.

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Song of the Day: Willow Weep For Me

The song of the day for Monday, April 7, 2014 is “Willow Weep For Me.”

About This Song

“Willow Weep For Me” was written by Ann Ronell in 1932. Ronell, a Radcliffe student, encountered some initial trouble in getting the song published, but once Irving Berlin decided to publish the song, it began to take off. The first recording was made by Ted Fio Rito, with vocals by Muzzy Marcellino. The song became a jazz standard and has been recorded by many fine jazz artists, including Art Tatum, Dinah Washington, Stan Kenton, Thelonius Monk, Ella Fitzgerald and Billie Holiday, who first recorded the song in 1956 for the album Lady Sings The Blues.

About This Version

Tony Bennett included this “Willow Weep For Me” on his 1997 tribute album to Billie Holiday, Tony Bennett On Holiday. The album was produced by Tony Bennett and Danny Bennett. Jorge Calandrelli arranged the song.

We select this song today in tribute to Billie Holiday, who was born on this day in 1915. Happy birthday, Billie. See Remembering Billie Holiday on this site for more information.

http://open.spotify.com/track/65fCPl7cBpk5J8pcvjMTaa
“Willow Weep For Me,” as well as the album Tony Bennett On Holiday, is available from iTunes.