The Year of Tony Bennett

An Appreciation of the Art and Music of Tony Bennett

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Song of the Day: Wait Till You See Her

The song of the day for Friday, June 28, 2019, is “Wait Till You See Her.”

About This Song

“Wait Till You See Her” was written by Richard Rodgers and Larry Hart for the 1942 Broadway musical By Jupiter, which starred Ray Bolger. Even though the song was well-recieved in previews, it was cut prior to opening in order to tighten up the show. Songs cut from productions are often lost, but Mabel Mercer loved the song and sang it regularly in her act. Other great recordings include those by Ella Fitzgerald and Blossom Dearie.

We’re featuring this song today in honor of Richard Rodgers, who was born on June 28, 1902. Between his work with Larry Hart and Oscar Hammerstein, he bridged the history of American Musical Theater.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “Wait Till You See Her” in 1973, with the Ruby Braff/George Barnes Quartet, which featured Braff on cornet, Barnes and Wayne Wright on guitar, and John Guiffrida on bass. It’s lovely sound for these songs.

“Wait Till You See Her” was released on the 1975 album Tony Bennett Sings 10 Rodgers & Hart Songs, which was released on Bennett’s own Improv label.

Wait Till You See Her

Wait Till You See Her, a song by Tony Bennett on Spotify

“Wait Till You See Her,” as well as Tony Bennett Sings the Rodgers & Hart Songbook, is available from iTunes.

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Song of the Day: I Could Write a Book

The song of the day for Wednesday, February 27, 2019, is “I Could Write a Book.”

About This Song

Composed by Richard Rodgers and Lorenz Hart, “I Could Write a Book” was written for the Broadway musical Pal Joey, where it was introduced by Gene Kelly and Leila Ernst. This has always been an interesting song. Today it’s considered a lovely romantic number, but in the context of the musical, it’s sung as a phony love song in order to woo the innocent ingenue. It’s been widely recorded by artists including Frank Sinatra, Rosemary Clooney, Betty Carter, Anita O’Day, and Ella Fitzgerald.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “I Could Write a Book” for the 1976 album Tony Bennett Sings 10 Rodgers and Hart Songs. Readers of this site will know how much I love these recordings. Instead of a traditional band to accompany him, Bennett used a novel sound that does a great job in invoking the period for many of the songs. The band, The Ruby Braff/George Barnes Quartet, consisted of Ruby Braff (cornet), George Barnes and Wayne Wright (guitar), and John Guiffrida (bass). No piano, no drums … it’s an exquisite sound, at least for this listener.

I Could Write A Book

I Could Write A Book, a song by Tony Bennett on Spotify

“I Could Write a Book,” as well as The Complete Improv Recordings, is available from iTunes.

About Today

The Year of Tony Bennett wishes the wonderful Harold Jones a very happy birthday! Mr. Jones has played drums for Tony Bennett for some time now and your author never ceases to be amazed at his talent.

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Song of the Day: Thou Swell

The song of the day for Thursday, June 28, 2018 is “Thou Swell.”

About This Song

“Thou Swell” was written by Richard Rodgers and Lorenz Hart for the 1927 musical A Connecticut Yankee, based on the Mark Twain novel A Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur’s Court. “Thou Swell” is one of more charming songs from the musical, as the lyrics feature a combination of modern and medieval language: “thine eyes are cute too” and “I’d feel so rich in a hut for two.”

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded this really swell song in 1973 for his remarkable Rodgers and Hart songs recorded for two albums, both released under Bennett’s own label, Improv. This song was released on Tony Bennett Sings More Great Rodgers & Hart.

Why are these songs remarkable? Besides the great material sung by a great singer, The Ruby Braff-George Barnes Quartet was a perfect group for these songs. The group consisted of Braff(cornet), Barnes (guitar), Wayne Wright (also on guitar) and John Guiffrida (bass). No drums, no piano–none of the typical instrumentation for a jazz album. The sound is really perfect, though. I know I return to these songs all the time and I never tire of listening to them.

Thou Swell

Listen to Thou Swell on Spotify. Song · Tony Bennett · 2004


“Thou Swell,” as well as The Complete Improv Recordidngs, is available from iTunes.

About Today

Today we are celebrating the anniversary of the birth of Richard Rodgers, born on June 28, 1902. In many ways, Rodgers, along with his writing partners, defines the American musical theatre. His history started with Larry Hart, a partnership that lasted from 1919 to 1942. In 1943, Rodgers began his legendary partnership with Oscar Hammerstein. They wrote a string of musicals that are still popular today: Oklahoma, Carousel, South Pacific, and The Sound of Music, with few more as well. One of Oscar Hammerstein’s last wishes before his death in 1960 was for Rodgers to work with Hammerstein’s protegé, Stephen Sondheim, a significant proponent of the modern American Musical. Rodgers’ daughter, Mary Rodgers, composed the score for Once Upon a Mattress. Mary’s son, Adam Guettel, has carried the torch forward as a musical theatre composer for shows including Light in the Piazza. It’s a remarkable legacy that continues to define the modern American musical.

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Song of the Day: Blue Moon

The song of the day for Thursday, May 17, 2018 is “Blue Moon.”

About This Song

“Blue Moon” was written in 1933 by Richard Rodgers and Lorenz Hart. This song first appeared in the 1934 film Manhattan Melodrama, though with a completely different lyric. These lyrics by Lorenz Hart seems about perfect to me.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “Blue Moon” for the 1976 album Tony Bennett Sings 10 Rodgers & Hart Songs.

The Ruby Braff-George Barnes Quartet that plays on the two Rodgers and Hart albums (the other being Tony Bennett Sings More Great Rodgers and Hart) that Bennett released in the 1970s. The quartet feature Braff on cornet, Barnes and Wayne Wright on guitar, and John Guiffrida on bass. It’s a perfect sound for these songs, written in the 1930s and 40s. I don’t miss the piano or drums at all.

Blue Moon

Listen to Blue Moon on Spotify. Song · Tony Bennett · 2004


“Blue Moon,” as well as The Complete Improv Recordings, is available from iTunes.

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Song of the Day: Spring Is Here

The song of the day for Wednesday, March 21, 2018 is “Spring Is Here.”

About This Song

“Spring Is Here” was written by Richard Rodgers and Lorenz Hart for the 1938 film “I Married An Angel,” where it was introduced by Dennis King and Vivienne Segal. It’s one of Hart’s saddest lyrics, where the coming of Spring has no meaning, as his love is gone. But rather than a sad, depressing song, with the lovely melody by Rodgers, the song has sweet poignancy.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “Spring Is Here” with the unusual and brilliant The Ruby Braff-George Barnes Quartet, which featured Braff on cornet, Barnes and Wayne Wright on guitar and John Guiffrida on bass. The sound is perfect for the collection, in spite of the lack of the customary piano and drums. No matter, it’s a lovely arrangement. “Spring Is Here” was released in 1976 on Tony Bennett Sings 10 Rodgers & Hart Songs, released on Bennett’s on Improv label.

Spring Is Here

Listen to Spring Is Here on Spotify. Song · Tony Bennett · 2004


“Spring Is Here,” as well as The Complete Improv Recordings, is available from iTunes.

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