Mark Pentleton » standards

240/365 Songs: Fly me to the moon

admin — Sat, 28 Aug 2010 17:00:50 +0000

Today’s song was requested by my mum who celebrates her birthday today. I’ve been warned not to say too much or mention her age, so I’ll simply say “happy birthday, Mum!” Fly me to the moon was written in 1954 by Bart Howard and has been recorded by many artists from Nat King Cole to Doris Day and Tony Bennett. More recently it was performed by Diana Krall at the 40th anniversary concert of the Apollo 11 mission at the Smithsonian.

141/365 Songs: Smoke gets in your eyes – Jerome Kern

admin — Fri, 21 May 2010 07:20:14 +0000

I’ve been saving this song for my father-in-law Tony who celebrates his birthday today – I believe it’s one of his favourite songs. Written in 1933 by Jerome Kern and Otto Harbach for the musical Roberta, it went on to become a standard with covers by performers as diverse as Louis Armstrong, Cher, Richard Clayderman (remember him?!), Serge Gainsbourg and apparently Zoot from the Muppet Show! Happy birthday, Tony!

132/365 Songs: They can’t take that away from me – Gershwin

admin — Wed, 12 May 2010 06:07:42 +0000

I like to think that I’m keeping things as varied as possible here on 365songs – in the past few days we’ve had TV Themes, Opera, Disney, 80s Power Ballad and today I’m returning to what is probably my favourite type of music to play with Gershwin’s They can’t take that away from me. It was first featured in the 1937 film Shall We Dance in which Fred Astaire sings it to Ginger Rogers on the deck of the New Jersey to Manhattan ferry. I hope you enjoy it!

110/365 Songs: Our love is here to stay – Gershwin

admin — Tue, 20 Apr 2010 19:27:04 +0000

A birthday performance for me today! I’ve been saving this song for a special day as it’s always been one of my favourite songs to play. It was first released in 1938 so it’s quite appropriate as I turn 38 today! It also featured in An American in Paris. I recorded it this evening after a lovely day. I hope you enjoy this Gershwin classic.

96/365 Songs: In the wee small hours of the morning – Frank Sinatra

admin — Tue, 06 Apr 2010 20:21:38 +0000

… and it almost is the wee small hours of the morning by the time I’ve got round to publishing this today! This song dates from 1955 and was first recorded by Frank Sinatra, but has since been covered by various artists including Jamie Cullum, Nanci Griffith and Barbara Streisand. I think the version I like best is actually Carly Simon’s recording which was also used on the soundtrack for the film Sleepless in Seattle.

84/365 Songs: Stardust – Hoagy Carmichael

admin — Thu, 25 Mar 2010 07:22:51 +0000

Today’s song is Stardust by Hoagy Carmichael. I’ve always enjoyed playing this song, and it seems I’m not alone! The random facts about today’s song include the fact that this is one of the most recorded songs of the 20th century with 1,800 recordings – make that 1,801! It was also voted Song of the Century in 2000 by Swedish music fans, beating Mack the Knife to first place.

82/365 Songs: Stormy Weather

admin — Tue, 23 Mar 2010 08:17:59 +0000

Recorded by such famous names as Judy Garland, Frank Sinatra, Ella Fitzgerald and Billie Holliday, this song came to mind last night as I was getting petrol on my way home from a meeting at the school. I got completely soaked in torrential rain and howling wind and I since I was returning home to record today’s song I couldn’t think of a better choice!

71/365 songs: Ev’ry time we say goodbye – Cole Porter

admin — Fri, 12 Mar 2010 08:26:29 +0000

A beautiful song today – the Cole Porter classic Ev’ry time we say goodbye which was popularised when Ella Fitzgerald recorded it in 1956. I hope you enjoy something nice and calm for the end of a busy week!

59/365 Songs: Tea for two

admin — Sun, 28 Feb 2010 18:30:31 +0000

When you’re making tea you tend to make it not just for yourself… Mum will understand where I’m coming from here, and this will hopefully remind Catriona to make tea for two next time!

58/365 Songs: Moon River

admin — Sat, 27 Feb 2010 13:35:20 +0000

Today’s song is the Henry Mancini song Moon River from 1961, originally written for Audrey Hepburn in Breakfast at Tiffany’s. I hope you enjoy my performance!

365 Songs: I left my heart in San Francisco – Tony Bennett

admin — Mon, 15 Feb 2010 08:12:35 +0000

I’ve never been to San Francisco, so I’m not quite sure if I left my heart there! I’ve been following Don McAllister’s blog and tweets about his experiences at MacWorld in San Francisco this year and it got me thinking that I’d not yet included the Tony Bennett classic in my daily lineup, so I hope you enjoy this song from 1954! I think Don’s on his way back to the UK now to make more of his brilliant ScreenCastsOnline, so I hope you brought everything home with you, including your heart (and your Mifi… been trying to get one of these myself!)

365 Songs: When I fall in love – Nat King Cole

admin — Fri, 05 Feb 2010 19:25:22 +0000

Bit late today – sorry! Today’s song is the classic When I fall in love. I’ve always associated this song with Nat King Cole, but it turns out that his was not the original. Doris Day recorded it in 1952 and Nat King Cole’s recording dates from 1956. I hope you enjoy it, even if it is a bit late…

365 Songs – Mona Lisa – Nat King Cole

admin — Wed, 20 Jan 2010 09:09:53 +0000

This one’s for my mum! I wonder if she’ll post a comment now…

Mona Lisa was first recorded by Nat King Cole in 1950 and since then has been covered by Elvis Presley, Willie Nelson and … Shakin’ Stevens!

365 Songs – Don’t Get Around Much Anymore

admin — Wed, 13 Jan 2010 08:05:09 +0000

Today’s song is the Duke Ellington classic Don’t Get Around Much Anymore. The last time I played this song was around 1am in the bar at the Crowne Plaza in Glasgow following the first day of the Scottish Learning Festival and I was joined by Derek Robertson from LTS who sang the song to the delight of those still in the bar. See the video here. I thought that since BETT starts today I should include this song in my 365 list, so this song is dedicated to everyone who is at BETT over the next few days. Come along to stand K16 and say hello if you’re there!

365 Songs – These Foolish Things

admin — Mon, 11 Jan 2010 10:42:48 +0000

This song dates from 1935 and I’ve always enjoyed playing it. Written by Harry Link, Holt Marvell and Jack Strachley, the song has been covered by lots of performers including Bing Crosby, Billie Holiday, and Bryan Ferry, but I think my favourite has always been Ella Fitzgerald’s version.

I hope you enjoy today’s performance!

365 Songs – A Nightingale Sang in Berkeley Square

admin — Thu, 07 Jan 2010 07:19:58 +0000

I’m in London today for an Apple meeting at Hannover St so I wanted to play something appropriate. With yesterday’s snow I wasn’t even sure I’d get here, but one cancelled flight, one late flight, one late train which broke down and another train later I finally arrived last night.

According to Google Maps I’m a 17 minute-walk from my hotel at Marble Arch to Berkeley Square, so I couldn’t think of a more appropriate song than A Nightingale Sang in Berkeley Square. I recorded it yesterday – my piano isn’t quite that portable! – so I’m glad I made it to London and was able to post it today.

I’ve always loved this song. It dates from 1940 and has been performed by many artists ranging from Vera Lynn to Frank Sinatra, Nat King Cole and Rod Stewart. It was also apparently featured in an episode of Torchwood! I hope you enjoy today’s interpretation!