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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

Sun 25 Sep 2011 19:00

Music Played

  • Louis Armstrong

    Stardust

    • (1931 Columbia).
  • Frank Sinatra

    It Was A Very Good Year

    • (1965 Reprise).
  • Mildred Bailey

    I've Got My Love To Keep Me Warm

    • (1938 Columbia).
  • Tony Bennett

    I Got Lost In Her Arms

    • (Columbia).
  • Duke Ellington

    Take The "A" Train

    • (1941 RCA).
  • Louis Armstrong and Ella Fitzgerald

    Summertime

    • (Verve).
  • Fred Astaire

    By Myself

    • (MGM).
  • Lennie Niehaus

    I Love You, Samantha

    • (Capitol).
  • Bing Crosby and Fred Astaire

    Pick Yourself Up

    • (United Artists).
  • Tony Bennett and Dianna Krall

    The Best Is Yet To Come

    • (RPM/Columbia).

Broadcast

  • Sun 25 Sep 2011 19:00