The Year of Tony Bennett

An Appreciation of the Art and Music of Tony Bennett

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Song of the Day: It Never Was You

The song of the day for Sunday, April 11, 2021, is “It Never Was You.”

About This Song

“It Never Was You” was written by Kurt Weill and Maxwell Anderson for the 1938 Broadway musical Knickerbocker Holiday, the score of which also included “September Song.”

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded It Never Was You” in 1961 for the album My Heart Sings. Ralph Burns wrote the arrangement.

It Never Was You

Listen to It Never Was You on Spotify. Tony Bennett · Song · 1961.

“It Never Was You,” as well as My Heart Sings, is available from Apple Music.

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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: Lost in the Stars

The song of the day for Tuesday, January 12, 2021, is “Lost in the Stars.”

About This Song

“Lost in the Stars” is from the 1949 musical of the same name, based on the 1948 novel by Alan Paton, Cry, the Beloved Country. Kurt Weill wrote the score, with lyrics by Maxwell Anderson. Set in South Africa in an era when apartheid seemed as if it would never end, the plot concerns a black priest whose son, in a robbery attempt, kills 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” for his second album, Tony, released in 1957. The very fine arrangement was written by Percy Faith.

Lost In the Stars – 2011 Remaster

Listen to Lost In the Stars – 2011 Remaster on Spotify. Tony Bennett · Song · 1957.

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

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Song of the Day: My Ship

The song of the day for Tuesday, December 8, 2020, is “My Ship.”

About This Song

“My Ship” was written by Kurt Weill, with lyrics by 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” for his 1961 album My Heart Sings. Ralph Burns wrote the arrangements for the album and conducted the big band.

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

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Tony Live! Speak Low

The song of the day for Sunday, July 12, 2020, is “Speak Low.”

About This Song

“Speak Low” was written by Kurt Weill and 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

This version is from Tony’s 1994 MTV Unplugged program. This is my favorite of all of his recordings of “Speak Low.” It is hip and very cool–a perfect jazz performance.

“Speak Low,” as well as MTV Unplugged, is available from Apple Music.

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