The song of the day for Thursday, October 24, 2013 is “Quiet Nights of Quiet Stars.”

About This Song

Known in the original Portuguese as “Corcovado,” “Quiet Nights of Quiet Stars” was written in 1960 by Antonio Carlos Jobim in 1960. The English lyrics, which were added later, are by Gene Lees. This song was an early bossa nova hit and is now considered a jazz standard. It has been widely recorded, by artists including João Gilberto, Miles Davis, Charlie Byrd, Frank Sinatra and Diana Krall, who used it as the title song for her 1990 album Quiet Nights.

About This Version

Today’s song is from Tony Bennett’s Live at the Sahara: Las Vegas, 1964, released this month on iTunes. Tony Bennett slides in this slow-tempo song after a fast number and the song shines even more for that placement. It’s a quiet, sensitive and very genuine and honest performance of this beautiful song. I’m a big fan of Bennett singing bossa nova and this song is an excellent example of why I do. I also love the shout-out to the orchestra.

http://open.spotify.com/track/4wGUxzZmeNqWxBFLZvWYyk
“Quiet Nights of Quiet Stars,” as well as Live At The Sahara: Las Vegas, 1964 is available from iTunes.