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 Thursday, May 18, 2017 is “Speak Low.”

About This Song

“Speak Low” was written for the 1943 musical One Touch of Venus, with music by Kurt Weill and lyrics by Ogden Nash. 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. The album features the Ralph Sharon Trio, with Sharon on piano, Billy Exiner on drums and Hal Gaylord on bass.

I’ve always thought of When Lights Are Low as a kind of followup to what is probably my favorite Bennett album, Tony Sings For Two. It’s a return to the jazz standards with a solid jazz trio (instead of only Sharon on piano). It’s the Tony Bennett sound I love the most: a great jazz standard, a terrific arrangement, and a strong jazz combo.

Speak Low

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


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

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Song of the Day: Speak Low

The song of the day for Monday, April 11, 2016 is “Speak Low.”

About This Song

“Speak Low” was written for the 1943 musical One Touch of Venus by Kurt Weill, with lyrics by Ogden Nash.The song 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 has recorded “Speak Low” several times. Today’s recording is from his 1964 album When Lights Are Low, featuring the Ralph Sharon Trio with Billy Exiner on drums and Hal Gaylord on bass.

Speak Low

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


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

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Song of the Day: Speak Low

The song of the day for Thursday, December 3, 2015 is ” Speak Low.”

About This Song

“Speak Low” was written for the 1943 musical One Touch of Venus by Kurt Weill and Ogden Nash. 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 one of my favorite of his albums: When Lights Are Low. It is also my favorite version of “Speak Low,” which Bennett has recorded, by my count, seven times. This album features just Bennett with the Ralph Sharon Trio, featuring Hal Gaylord on bass and Billy Exiner on drums. This arrangement is by Ralph Sharon.

Speak Low

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


” Speak Low,” as well as When Lights Are Low, is available from iTunes.

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Song of the Day: Speak Low

The song of the day for Wednesday, October 21, 2015 is is “Speak Low.”

About This Song

“Speak Low” was written for the 1943 musical One Touch of Venus by Kurt Weill with lyrics from poet Ogden Nash, 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

Today’s version of “Speak Low” is from Bennett’s appearance on MTV Unplugged on April 12, 1994. The resulting album won the coveted Grammy Award for Album of the Year and another Grammy for Best Traditional Pop Vocal Performance. Mr. Bennett was backed by the Ralph Sharon Trio, with Doug Richeson on bass and Clayton Cameron on drums.

Speak Low - Live at Sony Studios, New York City, NY - April 1994

Listen to Speak Low - Live at Sony Studios, New York City, NY - April 1994 on Spotify. Song · Tony Bennett · 1994


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

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Song of the Day: Speak Low

The song of the day for Thursday, May 7, 2015 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

Mr. Bennett has recorded this song several times. Today’s recording is from his unreleased (until quite recently) 1962 album On The Glory Road. The arrangement is by Ralph Sharon.

About Today

Earlier today, I was listening to Billie Holiday’s album All Or Nothing At All, where she sings “Speak Low” and I haven’t been able to get this song out of my head, which is always a good reason to choose a song as the song of the day.

Speak Low

Listen to Speak Low on Spotify. Song · Tony Bennett · 1962


“Speak Low,” as well as On The Glory Road, is available from iTunes.