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The Year of Tony Bennett

An Appreciation of the Art and Music of Tony Bennett

March 2, 2025 By Suzanne Leave a Comment

Song of the Day: Speak Low

The song of the day for Sunday, March 2, 2025, is “Speak Low.”

About Today

We are remembering the composer of today’s song, Kurt Weill. Weill was born in Germany on March 2, 1950. While living in Germany, he worked with Bertold Brecht on The Threepenny Opera, including its famous song, “Mack The Knife.” Weill, who was Jewish, fled Germany in 1933. With his wife, Lotte Lenya, he moved to New York in 1935 and continued writing for films and the stage. His American works include One Touch Of Venus, Lost in the Stars, and Knickerbocker Holiday. Weill died in 1950 from a heart attack.

About This Song

“Speak Low” was written by Kurt Weill and poet Ogden Nash for the 1943 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 “Speak Low” on March 28, 1964, for his album When Lights Are Low. The Ralph Sharon Trio, with Sharon on piano, Hal Gaylord on bass, and Billy Exiner on drums, accompanied Bennett on this album.

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

Filed Under: Song of the Day Tagged With: Billy Exiner, Hal Gaylord, Kurt Weill, Ogden Nash, One Touch of Venus, Ralph Sharon, Tony Bennett, When Lights Are Low

February 23, 2025 By Suzanne Leave a Comment

Song of the Day: My Ship

The song of the day for Sunday, February 23, 2025, is “My Ship.”

About This Song

“My Ship” was written by Kurt Weill and Ira Gershwin for the 1941 Broadway musical Lady in the Dark. Miles Davis’ recording in 1957, along with vocal versions by Jeri Southern and Sarah Vaughan, cemented this song as a jazz standard.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “My Ship” on April 6, 1961, for his album My Heart Sings. Ralph Burns wrote the arrangement and conducted the band. Burns set up an exceptional jazz band for the album, including musicians like Milt Hinton, Zoot Sims, and Eddie Costa.

“My Ship,” as well as My Heart Sings, is available on Apple Music.

Filed Under: Song of the Day Tagged With: Ira Gershwin, Kurt Weill, My Heart Sings, Ralph Burns, Tony Bennett

October 29, 2024 By Suzanne Leave a Comment

Song of the Day: Lost in the Stars

The song of the day for Wednesday, October 30. 2024, is “Lost in the Stars.”

About This Song

“Lost in the Stars” was written by Kurt Weill and Maxwell Anderson for the 1949 musical of the same name, based on the 1948 novel by Alan Paton, Cry, the Beloved Country. Set in South Africa in an era when apartheid seemed as if it would never end, the plot concerns a black priest whose son kills, in a robbery attempt, a white man who is a friend of his father. The priest sings this song at the end of the first act, in a complete crisis of faith.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “Lost in the Stars” on June 6, 1956, for his second album, Tony, released in 1957. Percy Faith wrote the arrangement.

“Lost in the Stars,” as well as Tony, is available on Apple Music.

Filed Under: Song of the Day Tagged With: Kurt Weill, Maxwell Anderson, Percy Faith, Tony, Tony Bennett

September 7, 2024 By Suzanne Leave a Comment

Song of the Day: My Ship

The song of the day for Saturday, September 6, 2024, is “My Ship.”

About This Song

“My Ship” was written by Kurt Weill and Ira Gershwin for the 1941 Broadway musical Lady in the Dark. Miles Davis’ recording in 1957, along with vocal versions by Jeri Southern and Sarah Vaughan, cemented this song as a jazz standard.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “My Ship” live on June 8, 1972, at his concert at Carnegie Hall. The concert was released that summer as Tony Bennett At Carnegie Hall.

“My Ship,” as well as Tony Bennett at Carnegie Hall, is available on Apple Music.

Filed Under: Song of the Day Tagged With: Ira Gershwin, Kurt Weill, Lady in the Dark, Tony Bennett, Tony Bennett at Carnegie Hall

September 1, 2024 By Suzanne Leave a Comment

Song of the Day: September Song

The song of the day for Saturday, September 1, 2024, is “September Song.”

About This Song

“September Song” was written by Kurt Weill and Maxwell Anderson for the 1938 Broadway musical Knickerbocker Holiday, starring Walter Huston. Huston had requested to have a solo song in the production and so Weill and Anderson wrote “September Song” with careful attention to Huston’s limited singing skills. In spite of a limited range, the poignant quality of the lyrics and the charming tune make for a quite pleasant song that has found great popularity among singers, including Bing Crosby, Frank Sinatra, and even Lou Reed.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “September Song” on November 11, 1959, for his album To My Wonderful One, released in 1960. It was arranged by Frank DeVol.

“September Song,” as well as To My Wonderful One, is available on Apple Music.

Filed Under: Song of the Day Tagged With: Frank DeVol, Knickerbocker Holiday, Kurt Weill, Maxwell Anderson, To My Wonderful One, Tony Bennett

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