The Year of Tony Bennett

An Appreciation of the Art and Music of Tony Bennett

By Leave a Comment

Song of the Day: There’ll Be Some Changes Made

The song of the day for Wednesday, January 1, 2020, is “There’ll Be Some Changes Made.”

About This Song

“There’ll Be Some Changes Made” was written in 1921, with music by Benton Overstreet and lyrics by Billy Higgins, two African-American vaudeville performers. Ethel Waters had a hit recording of this song in late 1921; other early recordings include those by Marion Harris, Josie Miles, Fats Waller, and the Chicago Rhythm Kings. Later recordings include those by Billy Holiday, Peggy Lee and Tony Bennett. Even western singers have been drawn to the song by artists including Chet Atkins, Bob Wills and His Texas Playboys, and Pee Wee Russell’s Rhythmakers.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “There’ll Be Some Changes Made” in 1975 for his album Tony Bennett Sings “Life Is Beautiful”, which was released on Bennett’s own Improv label. Torrie Zito wrote the arrangement.

“There’ll Be Some Changes Made,” as well as The Complete Improv Recordings, is available from iTunes.

About Today

2019 hasn’t been a particularly good year for me. In that spirit, my New Year’s resolution is to stay healthy and blog every single day in 2020. Today’s song indicates some of that thinking for me!

By Leave a Comment

Song of the Day: There’ll Be Some Changes Made

The song of the day for Thursday, August 2, 2018 is “There’ll Be Some Changes Made.”

About This Song

“There’ll Be Some Changes Made” was written in 1921, with music by Benton Overstreet and lyrics by Billy Higgins, two African-American vaudeville performers. Ethel Waters had a hit recording of this song in late 1921; other early recordings include those by Marion Harris, Josie Miles, Fats Waller, and the Chicago Rhythm Kings. Later recordings include those by Billy Holiday, Peggy Lee and Tony Bennett. Even western singers have been drawn to the song by artists including Chet Atkins, Bob Wills and His Texas Playboys and Pee Wee Russell’s Rhythmakers.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “There’ll Be Some Changes Made” in 1975 for his own Improv Label; it was released on Tony Bennett Sings Life Is Beautiful that same year. Torrie Zito wrote the terrific arrangement. As for John Guiffrida’s bass, well it’s recordings like this that make me want to take up the string bass.

There"ll Be Some Changes Made

Listen to There"ll Be Some Changes Made on Spotify. Song · Tony Bennett · 2004


“There’ll Be Some Changes Made,” as well as The Complete Improv Recordings, is available from iTunes.

About Today

After ten years with my current company, I have decided to make a big change. Tomorrow is my last day and on Monday I start an exciting new job here in Portland. No worries–it shouldn’t interfere with my blogging. 🙂 But if you want to send a few good thoughts my way, I’d be grateful!

By Leave a Comment

Song of the Day: As Time Goes By

The song of the day for Monday, May 28, 2018 is “As Time Goes By.”

About This Song

“As Time Goes By” was written by Herman Hupfeld for the 1931 Broadway musical Everybody’s Welcome. It was a modest hit, with recordings by Rudy Vallee and Binnie Hale. All that changed in 1942, when it was sung by Dooley Wilson in the film Casablanca. Not only was “As Time Goes By” sung; it was a major plot point, as Rick (Humphrey Bogart) has told his pianist Sam (Dooley Wilson) to never ever play that song. Until Rick’s long-lost love, Ilsa (Ingrid Bergman) comes to Casablanca and Rick’s American Bar asks Sam to play the song. The song provides one of the most misquoted lines in all of film. Bogart never says “play it again, Sam.” He says “if she can stand it, so can I. Play it Sam. Play ‘As Time Goes By.’” The American Film Institute named “As Time Goes By” the second most important song in film, second only to “Over The Rainbow.” Note that Tony Bennett sings the verse for this song, which has seldom been heard, especially since the release of the film Casablanca.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “As Time Goes By” in 1975 for Tony Bennett Sings Life Is Beautiful, the first album from Bennett’s own label, Improv. Torrie Zito did the arrangement.

As Time Goes By

Listen to As Time Goes By on Spotify. Song · Tony Bennett · 2004


“As Time Goes By,” as well as The Complete Improv Recordings, is available from iTunes.

By Leave a Comment

Song of the Day: There’ll Be Some Changes Made

The song of the day for Tuesday, November 8, 2016 is “There’ll Be Some Changes Made.”

About This Song

“There’ll Be Some Changes Made” was written in 1921, with music by Benton Overstreet and lyrics by Billy Higgins, two African-American vaudeville performers. Ethel Waters had a hit recording of this song in late 1921; other early recordings include those by Marion Harris, Josie Miles, Fats Waller, and the Chicago Rhythm Kings. Later recordings include those by Billy Holiday, Peggy Lee and Tony Bennett. Even western singers have been drawn to the song by artists including Chet Atkins, Bob Wills and His Texas Playboys and Pee Wee Russell’s Rhythmakers.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “There’ll Be Some Changes Made” in 1975 on his own Improv label for the album Tony Bennett Sings “Life Is Beautiful”, released in 1975. He is backed by the Torrie Zico Trio, consisting of Zito on piano, John Guiffrida on bass, and Chuck Hughes on drums.

There"ll Be Some Changes Made

Listen to There"ll Be Some Changes Made on Spotify. Song · Tony Bennett · 2004


“There’ll Be Some Changes Made,” as well as The Complete Improv Recordings, is available from iTunes.

By 2 Comments

Song of the Day: Experiment

The song of the day for Sunday, June 26, 2016 is ” Experiment.”

About This Song

Cole Porter wrote “Experiment” in 1933 for the West End musical Nymph Errant, which starred Gertrude Lawrence. The song is one of Porter’s more popular songs for singers including Mabel Mercer, Mel Tormé, Joe Williams and Bobby Short.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “Experiment” in 1975 for Tony Bennett Sings ‘Life Is Beautiful.’ It was arranged by Torrie Zito.

Experiment

Tony Bennett · The Complete Improv Recordings · Song · 2004


“Experiment,” as well as The Complete Improv Recordings, is available from iTunes.

About Today

I am all moved in and Ani just this afternoon came home from being boarded. It will take some time to unpack, but life is gradually returning to normal. I really missed the blog!