The Year of Tony Bennett

An Appreciation of the Art and Music of Tony Bennett

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Song of the Day: Cheek To Cheek

The song of the day for Monday, February 6, 2017 is “Cheek To Cheek.”

About This Song

Irving Berlin wrote “Cheek To Cheek” for the 1935 film Top Hat, starring Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers, where it was introduced (beautifully) by Fred Astaire. Though the song was nominated for an Academy Award (it lost to “Lullaby Of Broadway”), it became a hit in 1935 and remains popular to this day. Significant recordings include those by Harry James, Glenn Miller, Roy Eldridge, Bing Crosby and many, many more. Fans of the Tom Hanks’ movie The Green Mile might remember this song, as Top Hat is viewed in the prison. For many, it is one of the very first songs that comes to mind when one thinks of Fred Astaire and the 1930s Hollywood musical.

About This Version

Tony Bennett and Lady Gaga recorded “Cheek To Cheek” in 2014 for their album of the same name, Cheek To Cheek. The arrangement is by our friend Marion Evans. (I think, at least. The liner notes are rather vague when it comes to the arranger for each song.)

Cheek To Cheek

Listen to Cheek To Cheek on Spotify. Song · Tony Bennett, Lady Gaga · 2014


“Cheek To Cheek,” as well as the album Cheek To Cheek, is available from iTunes.

About Today

After watching the halftime in today’s Super Bowl, I had no choice but to play a Lady Gaga song. I’ve been watching halftime shows and live concerts by some of the greatest performers, but this show was something else. If you missed it, here’s a link to the show on YouTube.

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Song of the Day: Little Did I Dream

The song of the day for Sunday, February 5, 2017 is “Little Did I Dream.”

About This Song

Today’s song, “Little Did I Dream,” was written in 2003, with music by Johnny Mandel and lyrics by Dave Frishberg. I really don’t know anything else about this song, other that I love the work of both Mandel and Frishberg.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “Little Did I Dream” in 2004 for his album The Art of Romance and features an arrangement by Lee Musiker. This is one of my favorite albums and the one I gift to my friends that I want to introduce to Tony Bennett. It seems to hook them every time.

Little Did I Dream

Listen to Little Did I Dream on Spotify. Song · Tony Bennett · 2004


“Little Did I Dream,” as well as The Art of Romance, is available from iTunes.

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Song of the Day: Old Devil Moon

The song of the day for Saturday, February 4, 2017 is “Old Devil Moon.”

About This Song

“Old Devil Moon” was written by Burton Lane and Yip Harburg for the 1947 musical Finian’s Rainbow, which also gave us “How Are Things in Glocca Morra?” While Alec Wilder was no fan of “How Are Things in Glocca Morra?”, in America Popular Song, he praises “Old Devil Moon” as “a well-written, wholly convincing song. It drives, and its initial intensity is sustained throughout.”

About This Version

Tony Bennett has recorded “Old Devil Moon,” starting with his 1954 version for his first jazz album, Cloud 7. Today, however, we’re featuring his 1967 version from Tony Makes It Happen!, arranged by Marion Evans, our musical collaborator of the month. One of the things I love about Evans’ arrangements is that they always grab my attention from the very first notes — they make me want to listen. The violins at the beginning of this recording are a good example of this.

Old Devil Moon

Listen to Old Devil Moon on Spotify. Song · Tony Bennett · 1967


“Old Devil Moon,” as well as Tony Makes It Happen!, is available from iTunes.

About Today

Our Saturday video features Tony singing today’s song from his award-winning 1994 MTV Unplugged televised concert.

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Song of the Day: In A Mellow Tone

The song of the day for Friday, February 3, 2017 is “In A Mellow Tone.”

About This Song

“In A Mellow Tone” was written by Duke Ellington, with lyrics from Milt Gabler, was written in 1939. This song was based on the 1917 song “Rose Room” by Art Hickman and Harry Williams. The song is a favorite of both vocal and instrumental jazz performers, including Tony Bennett, Paul Gonsalves, Oscar Peterson, Coleman Hawkins, Ella Fitzgerald and Annie Ross.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “In A Mellow Tone” in 1999 for his album Bennett Sings Ellington: Hot & Cool, which was released on the centennial birthday of the great Duke Ellington. This recording was arranged and conducted by Ralph Burns. It features the Ralph Sharon Quartet, with Sharon on piano, Paul Langosch on bass, Clayton Cameron on drums, and Gray Sargent on guitar. I especially like the opening of the song, which starts with just the singer and guitar, then piano and then the rest of the quartet. It’s a lovely beginning. Listen how the song grows throughout to finally bring in the band. Sargent’s guitar is outstanding on this recording.

In A Mellow Tone

Tony Bennett · Bennett Sings Ellington / Hot And Cool · Song · 1999


“In A Mellow Tone,” as well as Bennett Sings Ellington: Hot & Cool, is available from iTunes.

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Song of the Day: The Lady Is A Tramp

The song of the day for Thursday, February 2, 2017 is “The Lady Is A Tramp.”

About This Song

Richard Rodgers and Lorenz Hart wrote “The Lady Is A Tramp” in 1937 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, among many others.

About This Version

Tony Bennett and Lady Gaga recorded “The Lady Is A Tramp” in 2011 for Bennett’s album Duets II. The arrangement is by Marion Evans, who we are honoring this month.

I still remember the first time I heard this recording. While at the office, I’d gotten a notice that Amazon had delivered Duets II to my doorstep. I rushed home and couldn’t wait to listen. I put the CD in the stereo and the first thing I heard was that great brassy introduction to “The Lady Is A Tramp,” followed by fantastic singing from Tony Bennet and Lady Gaga. It was love at first listen.

The Lady is a Tramp

Listen to The Lady is a Tramp on Spotify. Song · Tony Bennett, Lady Gaga · 2011


“The Lady Is A Tramp,” as well as Duets II, is available from iTunes.

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