Sunday Reflection: To Never Sing A Cheap Song

 

"I was taught never to compromise: to never sing a cheap song. I never look down at the audience and think that they are ignorant or think that I'm more intelligent than they are. To think otherwise is totally incorrect and runs contrary to everything I was raised to believe." -- the beloved, legendary singer Tony Bennett (8/3/1926 - 7/21/2023), winner of 20 Grammy awards, Kennedy Center honoree, two-time Emmy winner, Bronze Star recipient for his Army service in WW II, and participant in the 1965 Selma to Montgomery civil rights marches. The quote explains in a large sense why Bennett was treasured by audiences his entire career.

Over his remarkable 70 year career, Bennett sold some 50 million records, and remained a vibrant and popular singer until his retirement from live performances in 2021. He connected with younger listeners throughout the 1990s and 2000s, appearing with a variety of artists from Elvis Costello and Christina Aguilera to Billy Joel, Any Winehouse and Lady Gaga.

(photo: Downbeat.com)

 

Weekend Music -- RIP Tony Bennett

 

A musical giant, one of the greatest vocalists ever, and a genuinely good human being, Tony Bennett has died at the age of 96, less than two weeks shy of his 97th birthday:

Bennett died in his hometown of New York, Sylvia Weiner said. A cause was not immediately disclosed.

Bennett provided the soundtrack for generations of romantic evenings and proved that his timeless brand of standards could have broad, consistent appeal as the music industry shifted with the rise of rock and rap.  [snip]

... The life and career of Bennett, a World War II veteran and a civil rights activist, could provide fodder for a number of biopics, but his most enduring legacy is likely to be his unique vocal style, which made him a superstar in the 1950s and helped him enjoy a remarkable second act over the last 25 years of his life...

His multiple Grammys, two Emmys, a Gershwin prize, Kennedy Center honors, all speak to the mark he made on American popular and jazz music in the 20th and 21st centuries.   However, you're strongly encouraged to delve into his songbook for some of the best of American music in the past 75 years, because it would take us days to discuss his work, his collaborations with other iconic artists, not to mention his philanthropy and dedication to equal rights and justice.  More bio here and tributes here.

Without further ado, here's his first hit from 1951, "Because of You," and his signature song from 1962, "I Left My Heart In San Francisco." 

 

BONUS:

Tony left us today but he was still singing the other day at his piano and his last song was, “Because of You,” his first #1 hit.

Tony, because of you we have your songs in our heart forever. ❤ pic.twitter.com/hsOqtSdTNg

— Tony Bennett (@itstonybennett) July 21, 2023

Mid-Week Song: The Incomparable Tony Bennett

 

There's not much more praise you can give to Tony Bennett that hasn't already been given: superb, velvet smooth singer, beloved icon of the golden age of classic crooners, 20 Grammy Awards, Kennedy Center Honors, a Bronze Star for WW II service, a good and decent man. On his 96th birthday today, we present a couple of his songs by way of saying "happy birthday and thank you."

Mid-Week Songs: Tony Bennett Turns 94

An American musical and cultural icon, Tony Bennett, celebrated his 94th birthday on Monday. It's hard to express how fortunate we are that he's around to enchant us with his music and personality. A multi-talented creator known for his beautiful voice and for his paintings, Bennett is also a long-time champion of progressive causes. His fans are innumerable, and include Lady Gaga, Sting, Cher, Stevie Wonder and everyone else that's entertained us over his more than 7 decades of song. Still stylish, youthful and fit, he posted this brief "thank you" to his millions of well-wishers yesterday:

Thank you all so much for the wonderful birthday wishes! Your support and love is the greatest gift I could ever ask for. pic.twitter.com/rCNomM8Xss

— Tony Bennett (@itstonybennett) August 4, 2020

Here are just three songs from his brilliant career which have stood the test of time, and are part of his legacy and the American songbook forever.







The happiest of happy birthdays!

Weekend Music

The superlative, soon- to- be 91 Tony Bennett (born Anthony Benedetto) was just announced as the 2017 winner of the Gershwin Prize by the Library of Congress, which is given "to a composer or performer for their lifetime contributions to popular music."  A true Renaissance man, Bennett's contributions over his more than 70- year career are both qualitative (just listen to the man!) and quantitative (70 albums, 13 Grammys, Kennedy Center Honors, etc.). But we also love him because he's a mensch - a good Democrat whose philanthropic, civil rights, and humanitarian efforts have been widely praised, and whose musical gifts he readily shares with fellow artists. To honor his latest achievement, we've got to go with a composition by George and Ira Gershwin that, as with most other songs he's covered, Bennett effortlessly owns.  Hope you enjoy.

Weekend Sunny Music

This past Wednesday was the 90th birthday of music legend, World War II combat vet, Renaissance man, and good Democrat Tony Bennett (born Benedetto).  This is an artist who has recorded for nearly 70 years, both solo and with fellow giants in the music business. Outside of his musical career, during which he's received multiple awards (including 19 Grammys), Bennett became a noted painter and has been honored by the International Civil Rights Walk of Fame for his long dedication to human and civil rights.

Since the presidential polls are getting us to a sunnier place, we're going with this song written in 1930, during the depths of the Great Depression, which appears on Bennett's 2011 album, "Duets II." It's a nice collaboration with fellow Dem and music great Willie Nelson that Bennett recorded when he was 85(!).  Hope you enjoy.

Weekend Birthday Song

Sunday is music legend (and good Democrat) Tony Bennett's 88th birthday.  Born Anthony Benedetto, this national treasure has multiple Grammy and Emmy awards to his credit, with such classic hits at "Rags to Riches," "Because of You," and "I Left My Heart in San Francisco."  His collaborations with contemporary artists such as Lady Gaga, Elvis Costello, Paul McCartney, Aretha Franklin, Willie Nelson, and Amy Winehouse have brought him new generations of fans and admirers.   His artistry extends to painting, as well, having exhibited in galleries around the world.  If you haven't been exposed to much of his songbook, you'd be doing yourself a favor to check it out.  We wish him a happy Hackwhackers birthday!

Mid-Week Song

Celebrating his 85th birthday today is iconic popular singer Tony Bennett. Bennett's career, which began in the early '50s, was revived in the '80s and '90s as a new generation discovered the mellow, classic vocals that he's known for. Frank Sinatra called him "the best singer in the business." Some of his hits include the classic "I Left My Heart in San Francisco," "Rags to Riches," "Because of You," and "Cold Cold Heart." He's also a painter, a humanitarian, a winner of 15 Grammys and 2 Emmys, and a loyal Dem. Happy birthday!