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Episode 2

Episode 2 of 4

Tony Bennett, a legend from the American swing era, guides the Radio 2 audience through his selection of the 40 defining songs from the Great American Songbook.

Tony Bennett, a legend from the American swing era, continues to guide the Radio 2 audience through his selection of the 40 defining songs from the Great American Songbook.

Tony has lived the songs, sung the songs and now, in his 60th year as a performer, he offers his personal thoughts, insights and insider's view on the greatest compositions ever written. As Sir Michael Parkinson leads the way through the ten songs covered each week, we hear Tony's anecdotes about the people who created them, the pantheon of singers who have interpreted them and, of course, his views about what makes each one special.

The Great American Songbook is an informal phrase, originally coined by Tony himself, which describes the interrelated music of Broadway musical theatre, the Hollywood musical and Tin Pan Alley, in a period that begins in the 1920s. Aside from the enduring popularity of this music in its original context, it also became the central repertoire for jazz musicians.

In the second episode, Tony illustrates the musical and lyrical sophistication in a line-up that includes Louis Armstrong's Stardust, Duke Ellington's Take The "A" Train, as well as Frank Sinatra's dramatic performance in It Was A Very Good Year. The featured instrumental is Cherokee by the Charlie Barnet Orchestra.

1 hour

Last on

Tue 13 Apr 2010 22:00
Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Radio 2

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Episode 1

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Episode 3

See all episodes from Tony Bennett's Great American Songbook

Music Played

  • Milt Jackson & Count Basie - Corner Pocket

  • Louis Armstrong

    Stardust

    • The Satchmo Era: Louis Armstrong 1931 - 1932.
    • MCPS.
    • LA 010.

  • Frank Sinatra

    It Was A Very Good Year

    • The Reprise Collection.
    • Reprise.
    • 9 26340-2.

  • Mildred Bailey & Red Norvo - I've Got My Lover To Keep Me Warm

  • Tony Bennett

    When I Lost You

    • Bennett/Berlin.
    • Columbia.
    • CK 44029.

  • Duke Ellington & Better Roche

    Take The 'A' Train

    • Tony Bennett: Artist Choice.
    • Hear Music/Sony Entertainment.
    • A 70209.

  • Ella Fitzgerald & Louis Armstrong - Summertime

  • Fred Astaire

    By Myself

    • That’s Entertainment.
    • Rhino.
    • R2 72182.

  • Charlie Barnet and His Orchestra

    Cherokee

    • Nipper’s Greatest Hits: The 30’s Volume 2.
    • RCA.
    • 9972-2R.

  • Lennie Niehaus

    I Love You, Samantha

    • Cole Porter Songbook.
    • Warner-Chappell.
    • CP 1/2/3.

  • Bing Crosby & Fred Astaire - Pick Yourself Up

  • Tony Bennett & Diana Krall - The Best Is Yet To Come

Broadcast

  • Tue 13 Apr 2010 22:00
    Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Radio 2