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 Monday, May 20, 2024, is “Taking a Chance on Love.”

About This Song

“Taking a Chance on Love” was written by Vernon Duke, 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 second album with Count Basie and His Band, In Person!, released in 1959. The songs for the album were taped at nightclub and it was set to be a live album, but Columbia decided to rerecord the album in the studio. Why they didn’t change the name of the album is anyone’s guess.

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

We’ve got a special video treat today: Ethel Waters and Eddie Anderson singing “Taking a Chance on Love” from the 1943 film version of Cabin in the Sky. Bill Bailey is featured as the dancer in the number.

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Song of the Day: April in Paris

The song of the day for Monday, April 1, 2024, is “April in Paris.”

About This Song

“April in Paris” was written by Vernon Duke and Yip Harburg in 1932 for the Broadway musical Walk A Little Faster. Alec Wilder calls it “a perfect theater song.”

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “April in Paris” on November 12, 1959, for the album To My Wonderful One, released in 1960. It was arranged and conducted by Frank DeVol.

“April in Paris,” as well as To My Wonderful One, is available on Apple Music.

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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.