The Year of Tony Bennett

An Appreciation of the Art and Music of Tony Bennett

By Leave a Comment

Song of the Day: I Could Write a Book

The song of the day for Thursday, July 14, 2016 is “I Could Write a Book.”

About This Song

Richard Rodgers and Lorenz Hart wrote “I Could Write a Book” for the Broadway musical Pal Joey, where it was introduced by Gene Kelly and Leila Ernst. This has always been an interesting song. Today it’s considered a lovely romantic number, but in the context of the musical, it’s sung as a phony love song in order to woo the innocent ingenue. It’s been widely recorded by artists including Frank Sinatra, Rosemary Clooney, Betty Carter, Anita O’Day and Ella Fitzgerald.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “I Could Write a Book” in 1973 with the Ruby Braff – George Barnes Quartet. It was released in 1976 on Tony Bennett Sings 10 Rodgers & Hart Songs, released on Bennett’s Improv label.

I Could Write A Book

Listen to I Could Write A Book on Spotify. Song · Tony Bennett · 2004


“I Could Write a Book,” as well as The Complete Improv Recordings, is available from iTunes.

By Leave a Comment

Song of the Day: The Lady Is Tramp

The song of the day for Saturday, July 2, 2016 is “The Lady Is Tramp.”

About This Song

Richard Rodgers and Lorenz Hart wrote “The Lady Is A Tramp” for the Broadway musical Babes In Arms, where it was introduced by Mitzi Green. The song was meant as a spoof on the high society of New York, where the singer is clear about what she likes to do, no matter what everyone else is doing. “The Lady Is A Tramp” has been sung by Frank Sinatra, Ella Fitzgerald and Lena Horne. More recently, Tony Bennett and Lady Gaga sang a duet of this song on their 2011 album “Duets II.”

About This Version

Today’s version of “The Lady Is A Tramp” was recorded in 1973 for the album Tony Bennett Sings 10 Rodgers & Hart Songs, released in 1975 on Bennett’s own Improv label. Accompanying Bennett on this album is the The Ruby Braff-George Barnes Quartet, featuring Braff on cornet, Barnes on guitar, Wayne Wright on guitar and John Guiffrida on bass. This quartet, with no piano or drums, is absolutely sublime for this body of Rodgers and Hart recordings.

The Lady Is A Tramp

Listen to The Lady Is A Tramp on Spotify. Song · Tony Bennett · 2004


“The Lady Is Tramp,” as well as The Complete Improv Recordings, is available from iTunes.

About Today

It’s Saturday and our video today is the great duet of “The Lady Is A Tramp” with Tony Bennett and Lady Gaga, from 2011. This version of our song of the day is by Marion Evans.

By Leave a Comment

Song of the Day: I Could Write A Book

The song of the day for Monday, May 2, 2016 is “I Could Write A Book.”

About This Song

Richard Rodgers and Lorenz Hart wrote “I Could Write A Book” for the 1940 Broadway musical Pal Joey. This has always been an interesting song. Today it’s considered a lovely romantic number, but in the context of the musical, it’s sung as a phony love song in order to woo the innocent ingenue. It’s been widely recorded by artists including Frank Sinatra, Rosemary Clooney, Betty Carter, Anita O’Day and Ella Fitzgerald.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “I Could Write A Book” in 1976 for Tony Bennett Sings 10 Rodgers and Hart Songs. The lovely accompaniment is from the Ruby Braff-George Barnes Quartet, which featured Braff on cornet, Barnes and Wayne Wright on guitar and John Guiffrida on bass. It’s a lovely sound.

I Could Write A Book

Listen to I Could Write A Book on Spotify. Song · Tony Bennett · 2004


“I Could Write A Book,” as well as The Complete Improv Recordings, is available from iTunes.

About Today

We’re featuring “I Could Write A Book” to celebrate the 121st anniversary of the birth of the lyricist of the song, Lorenz Hart.

By Leave a Comment

Song of the Day: Have You Met Miss Jones?

The song of the day for Friday, June 12, 2015 is “Have You Met Miss Jones.”

About This Song

Richard Rodgers and Lorenz Hart wrote “Have You Met Miss Jones?” in 1937 for the musical revue I’d Rather Be Right. It’s one of their sweetest and most charming love songs, as the young man who is introduced to Miss Jones and falls in love immediately. In addition to Bennett’s recording, other significant recordings include those by Frank Sinatra and Ella Fitzgerald.

About This Version

Ah, love at first sight! What a lovely song and so nicely sung.

Have You Met Miss Jones?

Listen to Have You Met Miss Jones? on Spotify. Song · Tony Bennett · 2004

“Have You Met Miss Jones?,” as well as The Complete Improv Recordings, is available from iTunes.

By Leave a Comment

Song of the Day: Spring Is Here

The song of the day for Thursday, June 11, 2014 is “Spring Is Here.”

About This Song

“Spring Is Here” was written by Richard Rodgers and Lorenz Hart for the 1938 film “I Married An Angel,” where it was introduced by Dennis King and Vivienne Segal. It’s one of Hart’s saddest lyrics, where the coming of Spring has no meaning, as his love is gone. But rather than a sad, depressing song, with the lovely melody by Rodgers, the song has sweet poignancy.

About This Version

Tony Bennett can belt a song like nobody’s business. This recording is the complete opposite: soft, introspective, thoughtful and yearning. It feels like these words are being said for the very first time. It’s the perfect song for lost love. I love this side of Bennett’s singing.

Spring Is Here

Listen to Spring Is Here on Spotify. Song · Tony Bennett · 2004


“Spring Is Here,” as well as The Complete Improv Recordings, is available from iTunes.

Subscribe to The Year of Tony Bennett

Enter your email address to subscribe to this blog and receive notifications of new posts by email.

Current Reader Favorites