The Year of Tony Bennett

An Appreciation of the Art and Music of Tony Bennett

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Song of the Day: Here’s That Rainy Day

The song of the day for Sunday, October 20, 2024, is “Here’s That Rainy Day.”

About This Song

“Here’s That Rainy Day” was written by Jimmy Van Heusen and Johnny Burke for the 1953 Broadway musical Carnival in Flanders, which only ran for six performances. This song, however, is quite good and has remained a popular ballad over the years. In addition to Bennett’s recording, it has been recorded by those such as Frank Sinatra, Rosemary Clooney, Steve Lawrence, Billy Eckstine, and Ann Hampton Calloway. The song has also proved a favorite of jazz instrumentalists, including Dave Brubeck, Chet Baker, Paul Desmond, and Art Pepper, among many others.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “Here’s That Rainy Day” on October 1, 1971, for his album With Love, which was released in 1972. Robert Farnon wrote the arrangement.

“Here’s That Rainy Day,” as well as With Love, is available on Apple Music.

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Song of the Day: Maybe This Time

The song of the day for Tuesday, October 7, 2024, is “Maybe This Time.”

About This Song

“Maybe This Time” was written in 1963 by John Kander and Fred Ebb. The song was used in the film version of Cabaret, though not in the original production. Nor was it written especially for the film version; Kander and Ebb had written the song in 1963 for Kaye Ballard. It was therefore not eligible for consideration for an Academy Award. The song is, of course, widely associated with Liza Minnelli, who sang it in the film version of Cabaret.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “Maybe This Time” for the first time on February 26, 1972, for his album With Love. Robert Farnon wrote the arrangement. He recorded again for Here’s To The Ladies, released in 1995.

“Maybe This Time,” as well as Maybe This Time, is available on Apple Music.

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Song of the Day: Remind Me

The song of the day for Tuesday, October 1, 2024, is “Remind Me”

About This Song

“Remind Mw” was written by Jerome Kern and Dorothy Fields for the 1940 movie musical One Night In the Tropics, though the song wasn’t used well and was not immediately successful. Mabel Mercer recorded it towards the end of the 1940s and it is now considered one of the popular standards. It has also been recorded by Jeri Southern and Nina Simone.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “Remind Me” on October 1, 1971, and was released the following year on the album With Love. Robert Farnon wrote the arrangemet.

“Remind Me” as well as With Love, is available on Apple Music.

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Song of the Day: Harlem Butterfly

The song of the day for Thursday, May 16, 2024, is “Harlem Butterfly.”

About This Song

“Harlem Butterfly” was written by Johnny Mercer in 1942. It’s one of the few songs where Mercer wrote the music as well as the lyrics, one of those songs being “I Wanna Be Around.” Maxine Sullivan recorded it in 1942 with Bobby Sherman and His Orchestra. Other recordings include those by Julie London, Rebecca Kilgore, Susanna McCorkler, and Bobby Short.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “Harlem Butterfly” on October 1, 1971, for his album With Love. Robert Farnon wrote the arrangement.

“Harlem Butterfly,” as well as With Love, is available on Apple Music.

Here’s a lovely 1987 recording of today’s song made by Maxine Sullivan and Bob Wilbur from their album Close As Pages in a Book:

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Song of the Day: Twilight World

The song of the day for Wednesday, March 20, 2024, is “Twilight World.”

About Today

Today we remember Marian McPartland, born in Slough, England on March 20, 1918. She was a gifted pianist and composer and is probably best known as the host of Marian McPartland’s Piano Jazz on NPR from 1978 to 2011. She died on August 20, 2013, at the age of 95.

McPartland was a synesthete (a phenomenon where the sensory or cognitive pathway leads to involuntary experiences in a second sensory or cognitive partway). McPartland experienced colors when listening to or performing music.

About This Song

“Twilight World” was written by Marian McPartland, with lyrics by Johnny Mercer, in 1957. This ballad has proven to be one of her most enduring and popular songs. The tune is a lovely mid-tempo ballad, often played in a bossa nova style. The lyrics by Johnny Mercer are quite good, and the combination makes for a nearly perfect jazz song. Tony Bennett once said “Well, that song will last forever. It’s a beautiful song.”

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “Twilight World” on October 1, 1971, for his album With Love, released in 1972. Robert Farnon wrote the arrangement and conducted the orchestra.

“Twilight World,” as well as With Love, is available on Apple Music.

Tony Bennett appeared on McPartland’s Piano Jazz program twice: once in 1990 and again in 2004. Here’s the 2004 program, courtesy of National Public Radio.