The Year of Tony Bennett

An Appreciation of the Art and Music of Tony Bennett

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Song of the Day: Taking a Chance on Love

The song of the day for Sunday, October 29, 2023, is “Taking a Chance on Love.”

About This Song

“Taking a Chance on Love” was written by Vernon Duke (music) and John LaTouche and Ted Fetter (lyrics) for the 1940 musical Cabin in the Sky, where it was introduced by the great Ethel Waters and Dooley Wilson. The song works well for jazz singers and instrumentalists, with significant recordings by Dave Brubeck, Tony Bennett, Judy Garland, and Dizzy Gillespie.

About This Version

Tony Bennett, with Count Basie and His Band, recorded “Taking a Chance on Love” on December 30, 1958, for his second album with Count Basie, In Person!, released in 1959. Ralph Sharon wrote the arrangement.

“Taking a Chance on Love,” as well as In Person!, is available on Apple Music.

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Song of the Day: Autumn In New York

The song of the day for Saturday, September 23, 2023, is “Autumn In New York.”

About This Song

Vernon Duke wrote “Autumn In New York” for the 1934 Broadway musical Thumbs Up! The song has proved quite popular over the years, with recordings by Billie Holiday, Charlie Parker, Sarah Vaughan and many, many more.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “Autumn In New York” in June 1992. This recording was a previously unreleased outtake from Perfectly Frank. It was released in 2011 on Rarities, Outtakes & Other Delights, Vol. 2 in the Complete Collection box set.

“Autumn In New York,” as well as Rarities, Outtakes & Other Delights, Vol. 2, is available on Apple Music.

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Song of the Day: Taking a Chance on Love

The song of the day for Wednesday, July 26, 2023, is “Taking a Chance on Love.”

About This Song

“Taking a Chance on Love” was written by Vernon Duke, with lyrics by John LaTouche and Ted Fetter, for the 1940 musical Cabin in the Sky, where it was introduced by the great Ethel Waters and Dooley Wilson. The song works well for both jazz singers and instrumentalists, with significant recordings by Dave Brubeck, Tony Bennett, Judy Garland, and Dizzy Gillespie.

About This Version

Tony Bennett, with Count Basie and His Orchestra, recorded “Taking a Chance on Love” on December 30, 1958, for the album In Person!. It was arranged by Ralph Sharon.

In Person! was planned as a live album and was recorded in a club with the Count Basie Orchestra. However, the tape from the concert had poor quality and couldn’t be used. They re-recorded all of the songs in the studio and, oddly, released it with the originally planned title, In Person!.

“Taking a Chance on Love,” as well as In Person! is available on Apple Music.

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Song of the Day: Taking a Chance on Love

The song of the day for Wednesday, May 10, 2023, is “Taking a Chance on Love.”

About This Song

“Taking a Chance on Love” was written by Vernon Duke, with lyrics by John LaTouche and Ted Fetter, for the 1940 musical Cabin in the Sky, where it was introduced by the great Ethel Waters and Dooley Wilson. The song works well for both jazz singers and instrumentalists, with significant recordings by Dave Brubeck, Tony Bennett, Judy Garland, and Dizzy Gillespie.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “Taking a Chance on Love” on December 30, 1958, for his album with Count Basie and His Band: In Person!, which was released in 1959. Ralph Sharon wrote the arrangement.

Originally, the album was meant to use recordings of Tony Bennett and Count Basie and His Band at club dates they did after their first album. Unfortunately, there were some issues with the recordings, so they rerecorded the songs in the studio.

“Taking a Chance on Love,” as well as In Person! is available on Apple Music.

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Song of the Day: Taking a Chance on Love

The song of the day for Tuesday, July 26, 2022, is “Taking a Chance on Love.”

About This Song

“Taking a Chance on Love” was written by Vernon Duke, John La Touche, and Ted Fetter for the 1940 musical Cabin in the Sky, where it was introduced by Ethel Waters and Dooley Wilson. The song works well for both jazz singers and instrumentalists, with significant recordings by Dave Brubeck, Tony Bennett, Judy Garland, and Dizzy Gillespie.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “Taking a Chance on Love” on September 11, 1956, and released in 1957 on the album Tony. It was arranged by Ray Conniff.

“Taking a Chance on Love,” as well as Tony is available on Apple Music.

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