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 Jazz

The playlist for the week of September 1, 2019, is Tony Loves Jazz. I’ve picked some of his great jazz recordings, presented in chronological order, beginning with Cloud 7 and ending with Love is Here to Stay. We got a lot of songs, but as it’s a holiday weekend in the US, I hope you can find some time to give these a listen.

Did I miss one your favorites? Leave a comment and I promise to make it a song of the day within two weeks.

Tony Loves Jazz

It's the season of jazz festivals, so I'm creating my own Tony Bennett jazz festival here. And don't just take my word for it; Tony Bennett is a National Endowment for the Arts Jazz Master.

From Cloud 7, released in 1955
Old Devil Moon
Darn That Dream

From The Beat of My Heart, released in 1957
Lullaby of Broadway
Crazy Rhythm

From Basie/Bennett, released in 1959
With Plenty of Money and You
Poor Little Rich Girl

From In Person!, released in 1959
Taking a Chance on Love
Fascinatin’ Rhythm

From My Heart Sings, released in 1961
Dancing in the Dark
Stella By Starlight

From Tony Bennett at Carnegie Hall, released in 1962
Solitude

From Bennett & Brubeck: The White Sessions, Live 1962, released in 2013, recorded in 1962
Lullaby of Broadway
There Will Never Be Another You

From Tony Makes It Happen!, released in 1967
Don’t Get Around Much Anymore
Old Devil Moon

From The Tony Bennett/Bill Evans Album, released in 1975
Days of Wine and Roses
Some Other Time

From Together Again, released in 1977
Dream Dancing
Make Someone Happy

From Tony Bennett On Holiday, released in 1997
That Ole Devil Called Love
All Of Me

From Bennett Sings Ellington: Hot & Cool, released in 1999
Do Nothin’ Till You Hear From Me
Sophisticated Lady

From Duets II, released in 2011
The Lady is a Tramp
Body and Soul

From The Silver Lining: Songs of Jerome Kern, released in 2015
I Won’t Dance
I’m Old Fashioned

From Love Is Here To Stay, released in 2018
I Got Rhythm
Who Cares?

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Playlist of the Week: Marion Evans does great jazz arrangements for Tony

The playlist of the week of July 28, 2019, is Marion Evans does great jazz arrangements for Tony.

I have a real soft spot in my heart for Marion Evans. Like me, he’s also from Alabama, and we have musical friends — or acquaintances in my case — with fine Alabama musicians, such as Hugh Martin, who wrote the songs for Judy Garland’s Meet Me in St. Louis, including the best Christmas song ever (IMHO): “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas.”

A few years after I started this blog, he left a comment thanking me for acknowledging the importance of arrangers to the greatness of recordings. Tony Bennett has worked with many great arrangers and I’ll be featuring some of them in coming weeks.

But this week is Marion Evans. We start with their first album: the 1967 Tony Makes It Happen!, followed bu Duets II and Cheek to Cheek.

Marion Evans does great jazz arrangements for Tony

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It Don’t Mean a Thing (If It Ain’t Got That Swing), with Lady Gaga, by Duke Ellington and Irving Mills
The Lady’s in Love With You by Burton Lane and Frank Loesser
Don’t Get Around Much Anymore by Duke Ellington and Bob Russell
On the Sunny Side of the Street by Jimmy McHugh and Dorothy Fields
The Lady is a Tramp, with Lady Gaga by Richard Rodgers and Lorenz Hart
Old Devil Moon by Burton Lane and Yip Harburg
They All Laughed, with Lady Gaga, by George Gershwin and Ira Gershwin
I Let a Song Go Out of My Heart by Duke Ellington, Irving Mills, Henry Nemo, and John Redmond
Can’t Get Out This Mood by Jimmy McHugh and Frank Loesser
Anything Goes, with Lady Gaga by Cole Porter

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Song of the Day: I Let A Song Go Out Of My Heart

The song of the day for Thursday, June 20, 2019, is “I Let A Song Go Out Of My Heart.”

About This Song

Duke Ellington wrote “I Let A Song Go Out Of My Heart” in 1938, with lyrics by Irving Mills, Henry Nemo, and John Redmond. The song was a major hit for Duke Ellington, reaching #1 on the charts. In addition to his own recording that year, other recordings by Benny Goodman and Mildred Bailey were made that year and were extremely popular as well. In 1952 Ellington named this song as one of his eleven favorites.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “I Let A Song Go Out Of My Heart” in 1967 for the album Tony Makes It Happen! The wonderful arrangement is by Marion Evans, who arranged and conducted the entire album.

I Let a Song Go Out of My Heart

I Let a Song Go Out of My Heart, a song by Tony Bennett on Spotify

“I Let A Song Go Out Of My Heart,” as well as Tony Makes It Happen!, is available from iTunes.

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Song of the Day: Don’t Get Around Much Anymore

The song of the day for Wednesday, May 8, 2019, is “Don’t Get Around Much Anymore.”

About This Song

Originally written as an instrumental in 1940, Ellington named the song “Never No Lament.” Bob Russell’s lyrics came in 1942 and the song’s title was changed to the current “Don’t Get Around Much Anymore.” The somewhat sad lyric of the jilted lover who would just rather stay home bumps up against the very cheerful tune.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “Don’t Get Around Much Anymore” for his 1967 album Tony Makes It Happen! The excellent arrangement is by the great Marion Evans.

Don’t Get Around Much Anymore

Don’t Get Around Much Anymore, a song by Tony Bennett on Spotify

“Don’t Get Around Much Anymore,” as well as Tony Makes It Happen!, is available from iTunes.

About Today

Hello readers! I have a short business trip starting for a few days. I’ll be back in time for the Saturday post.

If you’re missing Tony Bennett music, check out one of the recent playlists of the week.

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Song of the Day: Can’t Get Out Of This Mood

The song of the day for Sunday, March 31, 2019, is “Can’t Get Out Of This Mood.”

About This Song

“Can’t Get Out Of This Mood” was composed by Jimmy McHugh, with lyrics by Frank Loesser, for the 1942 wartime musical, Seven Day’s Leave. This torch song was introduced in the movie by Ginny Simms, with the Freddy Martin Orchestra.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “Can’t Get Out Of This Mood” for his 1967 album Tony Makes It Happen!, which features arrangements by Marion Evans.

Can’t Get Out Of This Mood – 2011 Remaster

Can’t Get Out Of This Mood – 2011 Remaster, a song by Tony Bennett on Spotify

“Can’t Get Out Of This Mood,” as well as , is available from iTunes.