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The Year of Tony Bennett

An Appreciation of the Art and Music of Tony Bennett

February 26, 2022 By Suzanne Leave a Comment

Album of the Week: My Heart Sings

The album of the week starting on February 27, 2022, is My Heart Sings.

My Heart Sings


Tony Bennett remembers My Heart Sings in his autobiography, The Good Life:

Ralph Burns and I got together again to do some singles, including “Smile,” and for our next album we changed gears again. Instead of the lush, ballad-style arrangements we had used on Hometown, My Town, we switched to a cookin’ jazz sound. The album is called My Heart Sings, and I simply love Ralph’s writing on this one. It’s really beautiful music.

This album is a preview of 1962, which was an outstanding year for Tony Bennett, including his concert at Carnegie Hall and winning his first Grammy Award for “I Left My Heart In San Francisco.”

My Heart Sings was recorded in 3 sessions on 3 consecutive days: April 4, April 5, and April 6, 1961.


Album Facts

Release Date August 7, 1961
Label Columbia
Producer Ernie Altschuler
Vocals Tony Bennett
Arrangements, Conductor Ralph Burns
Piano Bernie Leighton
Bass Milt Hinton
Drums Herb Lovelle
Guitar Barry Galbraith, Chuck Wayne, Mundell Lowe
Saxophone Danny Bank, Al Klink, Toots Mondello, Romeo Penque, Jerry Sanfino
Trumpet Bernie Glow, Irving Markowitz, Jimmy Maxwell, Carl Sereinsen
Trombone Robert Alexander, Urbie Green, Dick Hixson, Frank Rehak
Vibes Eddie Costa

Songs on My Heart Sings

Song Composers
Don’t Worry ‘Bout Me Rube Bloom, Ted Koehler
Dancing in the Dark Arthur Schwartz, Howard Dietz
I’m Comin’ Virginia Donald Heywood, Will Marion Cook
My Heart Sings Jean Blanvillain (Jamblin), Harold Rome, Henri Laurent Herpin
It Never Was You Kurt Weill, Maxwell Anderson
You Took Advantage of Me Richard Rodgers, Lorenz Hart
Close Your Eyes Bernice Petkere
Stella By Starlight Victor Young, Ned Washington
More Than You Know Vincent Youmans, Billy Rose, Edward Eliscu
My Ship Kurt Weill, Ira Gershwin
Lover Man Jimmy Davis, Roger “Ram” Ramirez, James Sherman
Toot, Toot, Tootsie Gus Kahn, Ernie Erdman, Ted Fiorito, Dan Russo

Listen to My Heart Sings

You can also listen to My Heart Sings on

  • Apple Music
  • Amazon Music player
  • Qobuz
  • YouTube Music

Filed Under: Album of the Week Tagged With: Al Klink, Arthur Schwartz, Barry Gailbraith, Bernice Petkere, Bernie Glow, Bernie Leighton, Billy Rose, Carl Sereinsen, Chuck Wayne, Dan Russo, Danny Bank, Donald Heywood, Edward Eliscu, Ernie Altschuler, Ernie Erdman, Gus Kahn, Harold Rome, Henri Laurent Herpin, Herb Lovelle, Howard Dietz, Ira Gershwin, Irving Markowitz, James Sherman, Jean Blanvillain (Jamblin), Jerry Sanfino, Jimmy Davis, Jimmy Maxwell, Kurt Weill, Lorenz Hart, Maxwell Anderson, Milt Hinton, Mundell Lowe, Ned Washington, Ralph Burns, Richard Rodgers, Roger “Ram” Ramirez, Romeo Penque, Rube Bloom, Ted Fiorito, Ted Koehler, Tony Bennett, Toots Mondello, Victor Young, Vincent Youmans, Will Marion Cook

June 14, 2021 By Suzanne Leave a Comment

Song of the Day: Without a Song

The song of the day for Tuesday, June 15, 2021, is “Without a Song.”

About This Song

“Without a Song” was written by Vincent Youmans with lyrics by Billy Rose and Edward Eliscu for the 1929 musical Great Day. It has been recorded by artists ranging from Perry Como to Mario Lanza to Frank Sinatra. Great Day was set in 19th century Louisiana; as a result, some of the lyrics have been changed over time to remove some objectionable language.

About This Version

Prior to his 1962 concert at Carnegie Hall, Tony Bennett had recorded “Without a Song” twice: first for his 1957 album Tony and again with Count Basie for the 1958 album In Person! Bennett sang this song at his concert at Carnegie Hall on June 9, 1962, captured on Tony Bennett At Carnegie Hall.

Without A Song (From "Great Day!") - Live at Carnegie Hall, New York, NY - June 1962

Listen to Without A Song (From "Great Day!") - Live at Carnegie Hall, New York, NY - June 1962 on Spotify. Tony Bennett · Song · 1962.

“Without a Song,” s well as Tony Bennett At Carnegie Hall is available on Apple Music.

Filed Under: Song of the Day Tagged With: Billy Rose, Edward Eliscu, Tony Bennett, Tony Bennett at Carnegie Hall, Vincent Youmans

April 12, 2021 By Suzanne Leave a Comment

Song of the Day: Sometimes I’m Happy

The song of the day for Tuesday, April 13, 2021, is “Sometimes I’m Happy.”

About This Song

“Sometimes I’m Happy” was written by Vincent Youmans, with lyrics by Leo Robin, Clifford Grey, and Irving Caesar, for the 1927 musical Hit The Deck. It found early favor as a popular song with numerous recordings in 1927. It has also proven a durable standard, with recordings by Tony Bennett, Dave Brubeck and Paul Desmond, Betty Carter, Bing Crosby, and Billie Holiday, among many others.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “Sometimes I’m Happy” in 1962 for the album On The Glory Road. The album was ready to be released when Columbia cancelled the album. Thankfully, it was included in the 2011 Complete Collection box set.

Sometimes I"m Happy

Listen to Sometimes I"m Happy on Spotify. Tony Bennett · Song · 1962.

“Sometimes I’m Happy,” as well as On The Glory Road, is available from Apple Music.

Filed Under: Song of the Day Tagged With: Clifford Grey, Irving Caesar, Leo Robin, On The Glory Road, Tony Bennett, Vincent Youmans

July 7, 2020 By Suzanne Leave a Comment

Song of the Day: Sometimes I’m Happy

The song of the day for Wednesday, July 8, 2020, is “Sometimes I’m Happy.”

About This Song

“Sometimes I’m Happy” was composed by Vincent Youmans, with lyrics by Leo Robin, Clifford Grey, and Irving Caesar, was written for the 1927 musical Hit The Deck. It found early favor as a popular song with numerous recordings in 1927. It has also proven a durable standard, with recordings by Tony Bennett, Dave Brubeck and Paul Desmond, Betty Carter, Bing Crosby and Billie Holiday, among many others.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “Sometimes I’m Happy” featuring an arrangement by Ralph Sharon. It was to be released on the 1962 album On The Glory Road; however, Columbia pulled the album immediately before the release date. On The Glory Road was, thankfully, released as part of the 2011 Complete Collection and is also available on Apple Music and iTunes.

“Sometimes I’m Happy,” as well as On The Glory Road, is available from Apple Music.

Filed Under: Song of the Day Tagged With: Clifford Grey, Irving Caesar, Leo Robin, On The Glory Road, Ralph Sharon, Tony Bennett, Vincent Youmans

June 5, 2020 By Suzanne Leave a Comment

Tony Live! Tea For Two

The song of the day for Saturday, June 6, 2020, is “Tea For Two.”

About This Song

“Tea For Two” was written by Vincent Youmans and Irving Caesar for the very popular 1925 musical No, No Nanette. The musical had a very successful revival on Broadway in 1971, which helped to make “Tea For Two” even more popular with the public.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “Tea For Two” with The London Philharmonic Orchestra in concert at The Royal Albert Hall in London. Ralph Burns wrote the arrangement; Robert Farnon was the conductor. The recorded concert was released on the album Get Happy.

“Tea For Two,” as well as Get Happy, is available from iTunes.

Filed Under: Song of the Day, Tony Live! Tagged With: Irving Caesar, Ralph Burns, Robert Farnon, Tony Bennett, Vincent Youmans

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