The Year of Tony Bennett

An Appreciation of the Art and Music of Tony Bennett

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Song of the Day: Trav’lin’ Light

The song of the day for Saturday, August 14, 2021, is “Trav’lin’ Light.”

About This Song

“Trav’lin’ Light” was written in 1942 by Trummy Young and Jimmy Mundy, with lyrics by Johnny Mercer. This wonderful song was first recorded by Paul Whiteman with Billie Holiday on vocals. It’s a wonderful, classic Mercer lyric and the tune is lovely. In addition to this recording, this song has been recorded by Anita O’Day, Peggy Lee, Queen Latifah, Shirley Horn, and Sonny Rollins.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “Trav’lin’ Light” in 1997 for his tribute album to Billie Holiday, Tony Bennett On Holiday. Jorge Calendrelli wrote the arrangement.

Trav"lin" Light

Tony Bennett · Tony Bennett On Holiday: A Tribute To Billie Holiday · Song · 1997

“Trav’lin’ Light,” as well as Tony Bennett On Holiday is available on Apple Music.

Here’s is the 1942 recording of “Trav’lin’ Light” from Billie Holiday and Paul Whiteman.

Trav"lin" Light

Listen to Trav"lin" Light on Spotify. Song · Paul Whiteman & His Orchestra, Billie Holiday · 2008

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Song of the Day: Trav’lin’ Light

The song of the day for Tuesday, February 2, 2021, is “Trav’lin’ Light.”

About This Song

“Trav’lin’ Light” was written in 1942 by Trummy Young and Jimmy Mundy, with lyrics by Johnny Mercer. This wonderful song was first recorded by Paul Whiteman with Billie Holiday on vocals. It’s a wonderful, classic Mercer lyric and the tune is lovely. In addition to this recording, this song has been recorded by Anita O’Day, Peggy Lee, Queen Latifah, Shirley Horn, and Sonny Rollins.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “Trav’ lin’ Light” for his 1997 album Tony Bennett On Holiday, a tribute to Billie Holiday.

Trav"lin" Light

Tony Bennett · Tony Bennett On Holiday: A Tribute To Billie Holiday · Song · 1997

“Trav’lin’ Light,” as well as Tony Bennett On Holiday, is available from Apple Music.

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Song of the Day: Trav’lin’ Light

The song of the day for Friday, November 20, 2020, is “Trav’lin’ Light.”

About This Song

“Trav’lin’ Light” was written in 1942 by Trummy Young and Jimmy Mundy, with lyrics by Johnny Mercer. This wonderful song was first recorded by Paul Whiteman with Billie Holiday on vocals. It’s a wonderful, classic Mercer lyric and the tune is lovely. In addition to this recording, this song has been recorded by Anita O’Day, Peggy Lee, Queen Latifah, Shirley Horn, and Sonny Rollins.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “Trav’lin’ Light” in 1996 for his 1997 album Tony Bennett On Holiday. Jorge Calendrelli wrote the arrangement.

Trav"lin" Light

Tony Bennett · Tony Bennett On Holiday: A Tribute To Billie Holiday · Song · 1997

“Trav’lin’ Light,” as well as Tony Bennett On Holiday:, is available from Apple Music.

And while you’re here, this is Billie Holiday with the Paul Whiteman and His Orchestra:

Trav"lin" Light

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Playlist of the Week: Tony Sings Johnny Mercer

The playlist of the week for May 26, 2019, is Tony Sings Johnny Mercer.

Some of Tony’s finest recordings have been of songs with lyrics by Johnny Mercer. Here are a few of my favorites:

Tony Sings Johnny Mercer

Tony Bennett has always admired lyrics written by Johnny Mercer.

To learn more about one of these songs, click on its link.

Day In, Day Out, composed by Rube Bloom
Skylark, composed by Hoagy Carmichael
I Thought About You, composed by Jimmy Van Heusen
Laura, composed by David Raksin
I Remember You, composed by Victor Schertzinger
One For My Baby (and One More For the Road), composed by Harold Arlen
That Old Black Magic, composed by Harold Arlen
I Wanna Be Around, addtional lyrics by Sadie Vimmerstedt, composed by Johnny Mercer
Trav’lin’ Light, composed by Trummy Young and Jimmy Mundy

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Song of the Day: Trav’lin’ Light

The song of the day for Sunday, April 7, 2019, is “Trav’lin’ Light.”

About This Song

Trav’lin’ Light” was written in 1942 by Trummy Young and Jimmy Mundy, with lyrics by Johnny Mercer. This wonderful song was first recorded by Paul Whiteman with Billie Holiday on vocals. It’s a wonderful, classic Mercer lyric and the tune is lovely. In addition to this recording, this song has been recorded by Anita O’Day, Peggy Lee, Ella Fitzgerald, Shirley Horn, and Sonny Rollins.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “Trav’lin’ Light” in 1996 for his album of songs associated with Billie Holiday, Tony Bennett On Holiday, released in 1997. Jorge Calendrelli did the very effective arrangement.

Trav’lin’ Light

Trav’lin’ Light, a song by Tony Bennett on Spotify

“Trav’lin’ Light,” as well as Tony Bennett On Holiday, is available from iTunes.

About Today

The great Billie Holiday was born on April 7, 1915. Nicknamed Lady Day by her friend Lester Young, she had a profound effect on jazz, which is still seen today with jazz singers. She modeled her singing on the instrumentalists, which gave her a deeper feeling for tempo and phrasing.

In honor of Lady Day, here’s her recording of “Trav’lin’ Light” with Paul Whiteman.

Trav’lin Light

Trav’lin Light, a song by Billie Holiday on Spotify