The song of the day for Wednesday, December 11, 2013 is “Speak Low.”
About This Song
“Speak Low” was written by Kurt Weill, with lyrics by poet Ogden Nash, for the 1943 Broadway musical One Touch of Venus, where it was introduced by Mary Martin and Kenny Baker. Guy Lombardo had a hit single with “Speak Low” in 1944 and it has been recorded steadily ever since. Other recordings, in addition to Tony Bennett’s, include those by Billie Holiday, Dee Dee Bridgewater, and Ella Fitzgerald and Joe Pass. Bill Evans recorded an instrumental version of the song.
About This Version
Today’s version of “Speak Low” is from Tony Bennett’s autobiographical album Astoria: Portrait of the Artist, released in 1990. Bennett has recorded this song several times, starting with his 1960 recording for To My Wonderful One, his 1962 Carnegie Hall concert and the unreleased On The Glory Road (now available on iTunes), his 1964 album with the Ralph Sharon Trio When Lights Are Low and in 1964 for his appearance on MTV Unplugged. I’d have to guess that he really loves this song, as do I and many of his fans.
http://open.spotify.com/track/46Ff6AUwxX9OLGdDPHXGa4
“Speak Low,” as well as the album Astoria: Portrait of the Artist, is available from iTunes.
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