The Year of Tony Bennett

An Appreciation of the Art and Music of Tony Bennett

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Playlist of the Week: Tony Loves Judy and So Do We

The playlist for the week of September 29, 2019, is Tony Loves Judy and So Do We.

The founders of the Year of Tony Bennett saw the new film Judy last night, starring an absolutely amazing Renee Zellweger as Judy Garland. Both of us were moved to tears by Zellweger’s performance, and also from sadness over the challenges that Judy Garland, an immensely talented actress and singer, faced over her entire life, which ended much too soon.

Our playlist this week consists of a few of the songs that Judy Garland sang at her 1961 performance at Carnegie Hall and those same songs sung by Tony Bennett. There are also a couple of wonderful videos.

All of the Judy Garland recordings are from Judy Garland at Carnegie Hall.

Tony Bennett’s recordings are, in order, from Basie/Bennett, Tony Sings For Two, Together Again, and Tony Bennett Sings a String of Harold Arlen.

This clip is from Tony’s appearance on Judy Garland’s television program from 1963:

This clip is from a documentary on songwriters. It features Yip Harburg, who wrote the lyrics for “Over the Rainbow,” talking about his song:

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Song of the Day: This Time the Dream’s on Me

The song of the day for Saturday, August 24, 2019, is “This Time the Dream’s on Me.”

About This Song

“This Time the Dream’s on Me” was written in 1941 by Harold Arlen and Johnny Mercer for the 1941 film musical, Blues in the Night which also featured the title song. Blues in the Night is a somewhat film noir musical about a down-on-their-luck band that plays blues music.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “This Time the Dream’s on Me” in 1960 for his album Tony Bennett Sings A String Of Harold Arlen. The entire album was arranged and conducted by Glenn Osser.

“This Time the Dream’s on Me,” as well as Tony Bennett Sings A String Of Harold Arlen, is available from iTunes.

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Song of the Day: Over the Rainbow

The song of the day for Monday, July 8, 2019, is “Over the Rainbow.”

About This Song

Written by Harold Arlen and Yip Harburg, “Over The Rainbow” is from the wonderful movie The Wizard Of Oz. Interestingly, the producers wanted to cut the song from the film, as they felt it slowed downed the movie. Thankfully, the preview audiences preferred the movie with the song.

“Over The Rainbow” ranked as the #1 song of the 20th century per the Recording Industry Association of America and the National Endowment of the Arts. The song has always been closely associated with Judy Garland. In a letter to Harold Arlen, Judy Garland wrote that the song “…has become part of my life. It’s so symbolic of everybody’s dreams and wishes that I’m sure that’s why some people get tears in their eyes when they hear it. I’ve sung it thousands of times and it’s still the song that’s closest to my heart.”

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “Over the Rainbow” in 1960 for Tony Bennett Sings a String of Harold Arlen. The recording was arranged and conducted by Glenn Osser.

Yesterday, I settled down for a couple of hours and watched The Wizard of Oz on TCM. At my age, I can’t begin to even guess how many times I’ve watched this movie. Yet, I’m still enchanted and find great joy in watching it. And, of course, “Over the Rainbow” never fails to stir my heart.

Over The Rainbow – 2011 Remaster

Over The Rainbow – 2011 Remaster, a song by Tony Bennett on Spotify

“Over the Rainbow,” as well as Tony Bennett Sings a String of Harold Arlen, is available from iTunes.

Lyricist Yip Harburg appeared on a television program about songwriting and talked about “Over the Rainbow”.

Yip Harburg – Over The Rainbow

After many requests, I am uploading this short clip which I use in teaching the basics of songwriting. It is a moving version of “Over The Rainbow” by the lyricist himself.

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Song of the Day: Let’s Fall In Love

The song of the day for Monday, July 1, 2019, is “Let’s Fall In Love.”

About This Song

“Let’s Fall In Love” was written by Harold Arlen and Ted Koehler for the film of the same name, released in 1933. At the time of the film’s release, Eddy Duchin had a popular recording of the song.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “Let’s Fall In Love” in 1960 for his album Tony Bennett Sings a String of Harold Arlen. The album was arranged and conducted by Glenn Osser.

Let’s Fall In Love – Remastered

Let’s Fall In Love – Remastered, a song by Tony Bennett on Spotify

“Let’s Fall In Love,” as well as Tony Bennett Sings a String of Harold Arlen, is available from iTunes.

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Song of the Day: Come Rain or Come Shine

The song of the day for Sunday, April 15, 2018 is “Come Rain or Come Shine.”

About This Song

“Come Rain or Come Shine” was written by Harold Arlen and Johnny Mercer for the 1946 Broadway musical St. Louis Woman. The song itself is rather unusual, in that the same note repeated 12 times in the first two measures. In spite of that repetition, or perhaps because of it, the song works very well for the singer. Al Gioia in Jazz Standards says that “this composition tends to resist grandstanding, and instead appeals to the more introspective improviser.”

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “Come Rain or Come Shine” in 1960 for the album Tony Bennett Sings a String of Harold Arlen, released in 1961. The album was conducted and arranged by Glenn Osser, a noted arranger, conductor and songwriter.

I just felt like a Harold Arlen song today.

Come Rain Or Come Shine

Tony Bennett · Tony Bennett Sings A String Of Harold Arlen · Song · 1960


“Come Rain or Come Shine,” as well as Tony Bennett Sings a String of Harold Arlen, is available from iTunes.