The Year of Tony Bennett

An Appreciation of the Art and Music of Tony Bennett

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Song of the Day: Return To Me (Regresa a Mi)

The song of the day for Monday, December 13, 2021, is “Return To Me (Regresa a Mi).”

About Today

It is with sadness that The Year of Tony Bennett learned that Vicente Fernández, Tony Bennett’s duet partner for today’s song, passed away in Guadalajara, Mexico today. He was 81 years old.

About This Song

“Return To Me” was written in 1957 by Carmen Lombardo and Danny DiMinno. It was first recorded by Dean Martin, in January 1958, and to this day, the song remains strongly identified with Martin. “Return To Me” was featured in a 2000 film of the same name.

About This Version

Tony Bennett and Vicente Fernández recorded “Return To Me (Regresa a Mi)” in 2012 for the album Viva Duets.

“Return To Me (Regresa a Mi),” as well as Viva Duets is available on Apple Music.

This charming video documents Bennett’s visit to Fernandez’s ranch and the recording of today’s song.

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Playlist of the Week: Tony Sings a Hispanic Song Book

The playlist for the week of September 8, 2019, is Tony Sings a Hispanic Song Book.

This week, I’m featuring music written by composers from Mexico and South America and performances with musicians from those regions, as well as the Caribbean. I hope you enjoy.

The songs from this playlist can be found on:

Duets: An American Classic
Duets II
Viva Duets
Yesterday I Heard the Rain
If I Ruled the World: Songs for the Jet Set
I Wanna Be Around

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Song of the Day: Yesterday I Heard the Rain

The song of the day for Saturday, March 2, 2019, is “Yesterday I Heard the Rain.”

About This Song

“Yesterday I Heard the Rain” was written in 1968 by Mexican composer Armando Manzanero, with English lyrics by Gene Lees. Entitled “Esta Tarde Vi Llover” in the original Spanish, is one of Manzanero’s most highly regarded songs. Born in 1935, Manzanero studied music in Mexico City and composed his first song at the age of fifteen. At the age of sixteen, he became a professional pianist. His songs, like “Yesterday I Heard The Rain” are beautiful and romantic songs. He is considered to be one of the most successful composers from Latin America.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “Yesterday I Heard the Rain” in 1968 for the album also titled Yesterday I Heard the Rain. Torrie Zito wrote the very fine arrangement.

Yesterday I Heard The Rain (Esta Tarde Vi Llover) – 2011 Remaster

Yesterday I Heard The Rain (Esta Tarde Vi Llover) – 2011 Remaster, a song by Tony Bennett on Spotify

“Yesterday I Heard the Rain,” as well as the album of the same name, is available from iTunes.

About Today

Tony Bennett and Alejandro Sanz recorded “Yesterday I Heard the Rain” for the 2012 album Viva Duets. Here is a video of the recording of the song.

Yesterday I Heard the Rain (from Duets II: The Great Performances)

Music video by Tony Bennett & Alejandro Sanz performing Yesterday I Heard The Rain. (C) 2011 Sony Music Entertainment

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Song of the Day: Return to Me (Regresa a Mi)

The song of the day for Thursday, February 7, 2019 is “Return to Me.”

About This Song

“Return to Me” was written in 1957 by Carmen Lombardo (Guy’s brother) and Danny DiMinno. This song was first recorded by Dean Martin, in January 1958 and to this day, the song remains strongly identified with Martin. “Return To Me” was featured in a 2000 film of the same name.

About This Version

Tony Bennett and Vicente Fernandez recorded a multi-lingual duet of “Return to Me” or “Regresa Mi” in Spanish for the 2012 album Viva Duets, consisting of duets with Latin and Spanish artists.

Return To Me (Regresa a Mí) (with Vicente Fernández)

Return To Me (Regresa a Mí) (with Vicente Fernández), a song by Tony Bennett, Vicente Fernández on Spotify

“Return to Me (Regresa a Mi),” as well as Viva Duets, is available from iTunes.

I’m also including the lovely video made about the recording of this song.

Tony Bennett – Return To Me (Regresa a Mí) (from Viva Duets)

Music video by Tony Bennett duet with Vicente Fernández performing Return To Me (Regresa A Mí). (C) 2012 Columbia Records, a Division of Sony Music Entertainment

About Today

I’m feeling better and am thrilled to be back to blogging about the man we all love: Tony Bennett.

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Song of the Day: Return to Me

The song of the day for Saturday, April 28, 2018 is “Return to Me.”

About This Song

“Return to Me” was written in 1957 by Carmen Lombardo and Danny DiMinno. It was first recorded by Dean Martin in January, 1958 and to this day, the song remains strongly identified with Martin. “Return To Me” was featured in a 2000 film of the same name.

About This Version

Tony Bennett and Vicente Fernandez recorded this bilingual version of “Return to Me” in 2012 for Bennett’s album Viva Duets, which featured Latin singers. This duet was one of the finer songs on this album, in my opinion, due in a large part of the arrangement in the ranchera style favoured by Fernandez and the use of his band. I found the song rather poignant and touching.

Return To Me (Regresa a Mí) (with Vicente Fernández)

Listen to Return To Me (Regresa a Mí) (with Vicente Fernández) on Spotify. Tony Bennett · Song · 2012.


” Return to Me,” as well as Viva Duets, is available from iTunes.

About Today

This lovely video was made of Tony Bennett’s visit to Guadalajara to record today’s song.

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