The Year of Tony Bennett

An Appreciation of the Art and Music of Tony Bennett

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Song of the Day: Laura

The song of the day for Sunday, November 10, 2024, is “Laura.”

About This Song

“Laura” was written by David Raksin and Johnny Mercer for the 1944 film of the same name, starring Gene Tierney and Dana Andrews. David Raksin was known as a film composer (he also wrote the title song for “The Bad and the Beautiful,” which is included on the Bill Evans-Tony Bennett album Together Again), his compositions are often jazz standards. “Laura” has been recorded many times, by both singers and instrumentalists.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “Laura” 65 years ago today on November 10, 1959, for To My Wonderful One. The album was arranged and conducted by Frank DeVol.

“Laura,” as well as To My Wonderful One, is available on Apple Music.

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Song of the Day: What Good Does It Do

The song of the day for Saturday, November 9, 2024, is “What Good Does It Do.”

About This Song

“What Good Does It Do” was written by Harold Arlen and Yip Harburg for the 1957 Broadway musical Jamaica, which starred Lena Horne and Ricardo Montálban; the principal dancer was Alvin Ailey. Yarburg had been blacklisted during the McCarthy period and was unable to work in film or TV from 1951 to 1962. Fortunately, producer David Merrick and Broadway welcomed Yarburg. Jamaica was nominated for major Tony Awards, including Best Musical, all the acting nominations and both scenic and costume design, though it lost to The Music Man.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “What Good Does It Do” live on June 9, 1962, at his concert at Carnegie Hall. An abbreviated recording on two LPs was released in August 1962 on Tony Bennett at Carnegie Hall; a more complete version was released on 4 CDs was released in 1997.

“What Good Does It Do,” as well as Tony Bennett at Carnegie Hall, is available on Apple Music.

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Song of the Day: They Can’t Take That Away From Me

The song of the day for Friday, November 8, 2024, is “They Can’t Take That Away From Me.”

About This Song

“They Can’t Take That Away From Me” was written by George and Ira Gershwin for the 1937 Fred Astaire–Ginger Rodgers movie Shall We Dance. Unlike most songs Astaire introduced in his films, no dance number was associated with “They Can’t Take That Away From Me.” It is one of the Gershwin’s finest love songs. George Gershwin died just two months after this film was released.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “They Can’t Take That Away From Me” on October 16, 1967, for the album For Once In My Life. Torrie Zito wrote the arrangement.

“They Can’t Take That Away From Me,” as well as For Once In My Life, is available on Apple Music.

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Song of the Day: Boulevard of Broken Dreams

The song of the day for Thursday, November 7, 2024, is “Boulevard of Broken Dreams.”

About This Song

“Boulevard of Broken Dreams” was written by Harry Warren and Al Dubin for the movie Moulin Rouge, where it was sung by Constance Bennett. Although numerous artists have recorded “Boulevard of Broken Dreams” (including Bing Crosby 1944), this song is very strongly identified with Tony Bennett. In fact, his demo record of “Boulevard of Broken Dreams” was heard by Mitch Miller and got Bennett his first recording contract with Columbia Records.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “Boulevard of Broken Dreams” in May 1989 for his autobiographical album Astoria: Portrait Of The Artist, released in 1999. Jorge Calandrelli arranged and conducted this song, as well as the entire album.

“Boulevard of Broken Dreams,” as well as Astoria: Portrait Of The Artist, is available on Apple Music.

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Song of the Day: Azure

The song of the day for Wednesday, November 6, 2024, is “Azure.”

About This Song

“Azure” was written in 1937 by Duke Ellington, with lyrics by Irving Mills. In his liner notes for Fifty Years: The Artistry of Tony Bennett, Bennett wrote of “Azure” that “the composition of this song is the absolute pinnacle of inventiveness and originality as it relates to the art of music composition.”

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “Azure,” in May 1999 for Bennett Sings Ellington: Hot & Cool, released in Ellington’s centennial. year. Jorge Calandrelli wrote the arrangement.

Bennett Sings Ellington: Hot & Cool won the 2000 Grammy Award for Best Traditional Pop Performance.

“Azure,” as well as Bennett Sings Ellington: Hot & Cool, is available on Apple Music.

Here’s “Azure,” recorded in 1937 by Duke Ellington and His Famous Orchestra.

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