The Year of Tony Bennett

An Appreciation of the Art and Music of Tony Bennett

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Song of the Day: Speak Low

The song of the day for Tuesday, March 2, 2021, is “Speak Low.”

Today, we are remembering composer Kurt Weill, who was born in Dessau, Germany. His best known work, the 1928 The Threepenny Opera, grew out of his association with German playwright Bertold Brecht, which led to his marriage to Lotte Lenya. They fled Nazi Germany in 1933 and settled in New York. He began writing for Broadway, including scores Street Scene and One Touch of Venus. He died in 1950.

About This Song

“Speak Low” was written in 1943 by Kurt Weill and Ogden Nash for the musical One Touch of Venus, where it was introduced by Mary Martin and Kenny Baker. In addition to several very fine Tony Bennett recordings, “Speak Low” has been widely recorded by jazz and popular performers, including Ella Fitzgerald, Billie Holiday, and Lena Horne.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded this version of “Speak Low” in 1964 for his album When Lights Are Low, featuring the Ralph Sharon Trio.

Speak Low

Listen to Speak Low on Spotify. Tony Bennett · Song · 1964.

“Speak Low,” as well as When Lights Are Low, is available from Apple Music.

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Song of the Day: Smile

The song of the day for is “Smile.”

About This Song

Charlie Chaplin composed the music in 1936 for “Smile” for his last silent film, Modern Times, which shows Chaplin and his costar Paulette Goddard walking hand-in-hand up the road as the sun rises and as this song plays, in one of the most iconic scenes ever filmed. The lyrics by John Turner and Geoffrey Parsons were added later.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “Smile” in 1959; it was released as a single that year. It was added to his 1962 album I Left My Heart In San Francisco. Ralph Burns wrote the arrangement.

Smile

Listen to Smile on Spotify. Tony Bennett · Song · 1962.

“Smile,” as well as I Left My Heart in San Francisco, is available from Apple Music.

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Song of the Day: All Of Me

The song of the day for Sunday, February 28, 2021, is “All Of Me.”

About This Song

“All Of Me” ws written in 1931 by Gerald Marks and Seymour Simons. It’s the only song by Marks and Simons to become popular in the jazz repertoire. Early recordings included those by Louis Armstrong, Mildred Bailey and Ruth Etting. In his masterful book The Jazz Standards, Al Gioia writes

The definitive version of “All Of Me” wouldn’t appear for another decade, but when Billie Holiday recorded the song, with tenor saxophonist Lester Young on hand, she staked a claim of ownership that no one has managed to dislodge in subsequent years.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “All Of Me” in 1996 for Tony Bennett On Holiday, released in 1977. Jorge Calandrelli wrote the arrangement.

Tony Bennett won the 1998 Grammy Award For Best Traditional Pop Performance for Tony Bennett On Holiday.

All Of Me

Listen to All Of Me on Spotify. Tony Bennett · Song · 1997.

“All Of Me,” as well as Tony Bennett On Holiday, is available from Apple Music.

Here’s “All Of Me,” recorded in 1941 by Billie Holiday with Eddie Heywood and His Orchestra. Lester Young has a sweet solo.

All of Me

Listen to All of Me on Spotify. Billie Holiday · Song · 1996.

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Song of the Day: I’m A Fool To Want You

The song of the day for Saturday, February 27, 2021, is “I’m A Fool To Want You.”

About This Song

“I’m A Fool To Want You” was written in 1951 by Joel S. Herron, Frank Sinatra, and Jack Wolf. Though Frank Sinatra was one of songwriters and sung it as well, “I’m a Fool to Want You” may be most identified with Billie Holiday, who recorded it 1958 for her album Lady in Satin.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “I’m A Fool To Want You” for his 1960 album To My Wonderful One. It was arranged and conducted by Frank DeVol.

I’m A Fool To Want You

Listen to I’m A Fool To Want You on Spotify. Tony Bennett · Song · 1960.

“I’m A Fool To Want You,” as well as To My Wonderful One, is available from Apple Music.

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Song of the Day: More Than You Know

The song of the day for Friday, February 25, 2021, is “More Than You Know.”

About This Song

“More Than You Know” was written in 1929 by Vincent Youmans, with lyrics by Billy Rose and Edward Eliscu. The song was written for the Broadway musical Great Day, which only ran for 36 performances. In spite of its poor run on Broadway, the score was considered very good and so it got sold to Hollywood, where it was to be a starring vehicle for Joan Crawford. Eight weeks into production, the film was shut down and was never released. Thankfully, this song remained popular, in many ways thanks to Fanny Brice, who was married to Billy Rose, and sang the song in her performances with the Ziegfeld Follies. It has been widely recorded by jazz and popular artists since it was written.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “More Than You Know” for his 1961 album My Heart Sings, featuring an arrangement by Ralph Burns.

More Than You Know

Listen to More Than You Know on Spotify. Tony Bennett · Song · 1961.

“More Than You Know,” as well as My Heart Sings, is available from Apple Music.

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