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Billie Holiday — Speak Low (Bent Remix)
Album: Verve Remixed 3
Avg rating:
7.1

Your rating:
Total ratings: 1546









Released: 2005
Length: 4:13
Plays (last 30 days): 0
Speak low
when you speak, love
Our summer day
withers away too soon, too soon
Speak low, darling, speak low
Love is a spark,
lost in the dark
too soon, too soon

Speak low
when you speak, love
Our summer day
withers away too soon, too soon
Speak low, darling, speak low
Love is a spark,
lost in the dark
too soon, too soon

I feel wherever I go
that tomorrow is near,
tomorrow is here
and always too soon

Speak low
when you speak, love
Our summer day
withers away too soon, too soon
Speak low, darling, speak low
Love is a spark,
lost in the dark
too soon, too soon

Speak low
when you speak, love
Our moment is swift,
like ships adrift,
we're swept apart, too soon
Comments (214)add comment
I really enjoyed this version. I see it as more of a very respectful and well-orchestrated homage to a great song and even greater singer. The original is still intact, btw.
 wolverine wrote:
Thought this was Shirley Bassey at first. Interesting take from the original.
 totally get that!

 trekhead wrote:
Sweet-N-Low Darling...Too sweet!
 
I thought that was what I heard.  Until I read the Title and lyrics
Not certain that the sugar substitute existed during Billie's life time.  
 What an amazing voice she got... Rate 8
This is sadly a minor gut-punch for me. As thewiseking noted, this is “reductive” by comparison to the original even though it has all kinds of new Musaky add-ins. Often, Bill's alternate versions are good or comparable to the original s, but not this one — win some, lose some.
I keep hearing her sing "Sweet 'n Low"...
A modern twist on such a gifted artist.
I thought of Shirley Bassey too.  This song certainly shows off  Billie's voice.
reductive
Lyrics speak eternal. 
Thought this was Shirley Bassey at first. Interesting take from the original.
 eveliko wrote:
At least Billie hasn't been autotuned.

 
Hahaha...true that!!

I'm on the fence with this; I kinda like the remix, really like the original, yet can't find it in me to rate higher than a 6. 

I wouldn't mind a badass ?amp? made out of a violin though....that's pretty cool album 'art'

At least Billie hasn't been autotuned.
 old_shep wrote:
Might as well dub the Beatles into hip-hop.

 
YES PLEASE ! Love me Do. 
Both sacrilege and enjoyable. Well done.
 SmackDaddy wrote:

Maybe you should learn about this whole series of CDs before you babble on. They are well done and are homages to artists like Billie and brings their music to a whole new audience that wouldn't otherwise know it. That's the beauty of cross pollination of musical styles. Stop being a snob.

 
Agreed! There are a lot of re'makes' as well that are fantastic without taking credit away from the original artist.
 expatlar wrote:
Well it was thought provoking anyway. At the moment I lean towards...'nah, it isn't right.' Billie Holiday made her statement, her mark, her legacy, for better or worse. Whoever 'remixed' her should go make their own sound and see if it stands out without stealing a dead person's voice.

 
Maybe you should learn about this whole series of CDs before you babble on. They are well done and are homages to artists like Billie and brings their music to a whole new audience that wouldn't otherwise know it. That's the beauty of cross pollination of musical styles. Stop being a snob.
Well it was thought provoking anyway. At the moment I lean towards...'nah, it isn't right.' Billie Holiday made her statement, her mark, her legacy, for better or worse. Whoever 'remixed' her should go make their own sound and see if it stands out without stealing a dead person's voice.
 Billie always had the very best musicians behind her. This EuroTrash Lounge crap pastiche is an absolute abortion.
 flyboy50 wrote:
I think this does her justice. She would like.

 
I agree. This definitely features her very unique talents...love it...

{#Music}

 

{#Cheesygrin}       {#Cheesygrin}      {#Cheesygrin}

 


 old_shep wrote:
Might as well dub the Beatles into hip-hop.

 
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K4Tv7lAt3r4 Brilliant album, particularly "got the money".
I Love it - all good
 old_shep wrote:
Might as well dub the Beatles into hip-hop.

 
It certainly couldn't make any of their saccharine ballads worse.
Might as well dub the Beatles into hip-hop.
I think this does her justice. She would like.
An abomination! 
 DeeJay27 wrote:
I don't like it!

 
Same here! {#Beat} I absolutely adore Billiel but this is crap!
I don't like it!
Brilliant mashup! {#Cheers}
 bh1 wrote:
This song is from the 1940s movie "One Touch of Venus" with Ava Gardner & Robert Walker. The goddess Venus comes to earth as a store mannequin and falls for a clerk. The movie was remade in the 80s (?) as "Mannequin" and may have been an inspiration for "Xanadeau". The original is really good. Not sure if Ava did her own singing or was dubbed, as many Hollywood stars were back then.

 
Had no idea! Liked "Mannequin", though. 

This is pretty good, although I think they had to jazz up Billie's voice to make her sound like Shirley Bassey.  
First time hearing this, had to check, I am surprised, in a good way, but the comments have me scratching head lol diff strokes and folks lol {#Cheers}
I thought it was interesting the first time I heard it now I think it's sorta disgusting. Does Billie a disservice as she'd never have sanctioned it.
 ChrisVIII wrote:
 

Just what I was thinking...
=> My thoughts exactly ! It has something of "diamonds are forever", is it the same singer ?  

 greiffenstein wrote:


Billie Holliday never sang a Bond cover.  She died in 1959 before the movies came out.  The sound of this piece is a result of some serious remixing, her original stuff sounds nothing like this.  They pull it off well, it's pretty seamless.

 
No, but you have just unravelled Shirley Basseys' entire career . . .
not knocking it - just an observation . . .
 philipr wrote:
Nice Remix but , for me, there is some sacrilège (sorry for french term)  to touch certain things ....

Old Pa

 

Understood.  The term is sacriligeous in English.  But then remind yourself that there is much you love today that was sacriligious to its time.  Including Billie Holiday herself.  I ask myself, what would Billie think of this piece?  I may be wrong, but I see her smiling, enjoying it, appreciating a new perspective. 
 oldsaxon wrote:

The mix is not sacred. It's a mix. Any mix is fine and if you like the original from a time when the best they could do is make the room sort of quiet, good for you. I like the original that's just fine but don't find this lacking at all. Her voice is still perfect, and the groove is great. 

 

agree.  Kingart, open your mind, you might enjoy something new.  It's a respectful, well-engineered piece.  Interesting new take on a classic. Doesn't mean you can't enjoy the original, but here's a new twist that asks the question, what would Billie have done had she lived into the subsequent decades? 
 ChrisVIII wrote:
 

Just what I was thinking...
=> My thoughts exactly ! It has something of "diamonds are forever", is it the same singer ?  

 

Billie Holliday never sang a Bond cover.  She died in 1959 before the movies came out.  The sound of this piece is a result of some serious remixing, her original stuff sounds nothing like this.  They pull it off well, it's pretty seamless.
 Jelani wrote:
Why do I feel like i"m listening to the opening of a James Bond movie?
Was this in one? 

  

Just what I was thinking...
=> My thoughts exactly ! It has something of "diamonds are forever", is it the same singer ?  
 tulfan wrote:
This is great and a perfect utilization of one of the best voices that ever was (IMHO). I love that ghostly, haunting fade-out too...

 
Somehow it gives her some better-than-whatever accompaniment that she deserved.
This is great and a perfect utilization of one of the best voices that ever was (IMHO). I love that ghostly, haunting fade-out too...
 kingart wrote:
Oh, come on. RP has hit a new high in low.  Wattsup with this thing?  Bille Holiday with a cheesy mix track?  What's next, a Coltrane remix with Kenny G?  Billie abused booze and smack.  I'd have to do the same to make this thing delight my brain. 

 
The mix is not sacred. It's a mix. Any mix is fine and if you like the original from a time when the best they could do is make the room sort of quiet, good for you. I like the original that's just fine but don't find this lacking at all. Her voice is still perfect, and the groove is great. 
This song is from the 1940s movie "One Touch of Venus" with Ava Gardner & Robert Walker. The goddess Venus comes to earth as a store mannequin and falls for a clerk. The movie was remade in the 80s (?) as "Mannequin" and may have been an inspiration for "Xanadeau". The original is really good. Not sure if Ava did her own singing or was dubbed, as many Hollywood stars were back then.
More Bent remixes, please. :)
Nice Remix but , for me, there is some sacrilège (sorry for french term)  to touch certain things ....

Old Pa
Thought this was Alt-J at first! ;)
Totally cheesy. Marvellous  
Super! I love this version since I heard on SoundCloud about a month ago
 Jelani wrote:
Why do I feel like i"m listening to the opening of a James Bond movie?
Was this in one? 

 

Just what I was thinking...
quietman wrote:
Reminds me of a track off Falcon and the Snowman.

 

"This Is Not America" by David Bowie.  I heard it before I even read your comment!

Contrary to all of the "why mess with the original" comments - I love this.
Oh, come on. RP has hit a new high in low.  Wattsup with this thing?  Bille Holiday with a cheesy mix track?  What's next, a Coltrane remix with Kenny G?  Billie abused booze and smack.  I'd have to do the same to make this thing delight my brain. 
{#Notworthy}
Why mess with such a great song?  {#Naughty}
I like Madeleine Peyroux's version best.
Why do I feel like i"m listening to the opening of a James Bond movie?
Was this in one? 
 Dahlia_Gumbo wrote:
I love the Andy Bey version of this song — makes you want to cozy up to someone quick.

{#Tongue-out}
 
I love the Billie Holiday version of this song — makes you want to cozy up to someone quick.

{#Tongue-out}
I love the Andy Bey version of this song — makes you want to cozy up to someone quick.

{#Tongue-out}
I've heard some other stuff from this album which was pretty good, but this tune doesn't do it for me.  I always preferred her minimal recordings anyhow.

this is poop..... pure poop.
Please play the real Billie Holiday.....
Not bad!
If you want to do a remix and do your own noodling with the instruments and such, fine...

But, why in gods name did you need to effect Billie's voice to make her sound like Shirlie Bassey?? 

I like this.... it highlights Billie's voice.  {#Cool}  But where Billie's not singing, the music becomes unnecessary.  Anyway, a revisit to a great singer.

Is that album photo for real?


 quietman wrote:
Every time I hear this, I hear Pat Metheny in the instrumentals. Reminds me of a track off Falcon and the Snowman.

 
yes.

Wow, don't know what I think of this. I liked it at first, but then it got kind of repetitive - sort of flattened out the vocals...
 quietman wrote:
Every time I hear this, I hear Pat Metheny in the instrumentals. Reminds me of a track off Falcon and the Snowman.

 
Interesting...I can hear your point.


Really good remix.
I'm a big fan of all the Verve Remixed series.
Even better when you buy the two-disc albums...
(one disc remixed and the other is the same songs in original version)
 fuh2 wrote:
We need more Bent. 10 thumbs up.
 
Yup, we need to get bent! {#Mrgreen}
We need more Bent. 10 thumbs up.
 jpfueler wrote:
This is good. I think it is how she would be doing stuff today if she were here in this time during her prime. Maybe we could keep her from going Whinehouse and all that too..

 
I have to say that of all the girl singers of the era, Billie Holiday was the "Amy Winehouse" of her time. I mean, she left us by the time she was 44. It was certainly

"Too Soon"

This is good. I think it is how she would be doing stuff today if she were here in this time during her prime. Maybe we could keep her from going Whinehouse and all that too..

9 of 10 times a remix is worse then the original. But this remix is very nicely done. It creates a similar atmosphere and feel. Therefore I can appreciate this remix just as much as I do the original. It's a modern interpretation/tribute to a Legend! And yes, there's a 'Pat Metheny like' guitar in this track (also a great name in Jazz).

Every time I hear this, I hear Pat Metheny in the instrumentals. Reminds me of a track off Falcon and the Snowman.

 holborne wrote:
8 for Billie, and zero for the craptastic remix.
 
10 for Billie, f*ck the remix! You don't mess with perfection. {#Naughty}
 holborne wrote:
8 for Billie, and zero for the craptastic remix.
 
THIS

nice {#Daisy}
VERY yummy inDEED! We need more Bent on RP.  
Oh god, we are on a string-synthesizer orgy here today!
 me LIKE it too  sahlman wrote:
we LIKE it!
 


BIG Kudos to The verve mmmm hmmm and for remixing a great mix of trip hop ambient of Billie Holiday, very yummy!
8 for Billie, and zero for the craptastic remix.
 HarrO wrote:
What did they DO to this tune??? Billie doesn't (didn't) need any help here. I like my Billie straight up thanks. No tonic, no ice, no vermouth, and certainly no sugar.

 
I hear you brother. Sometimes it takes a little sugar to get people to 'taste' the music. A lot of folks who may never had listened to Billie in her straight up form. As for me..... a good Gin martini with a whisper of vermouth.

What did they DO to this tune??? Billie doesn't (didn't) need any help here. I like my Billie straight up thanks. No tonic, no ice, no vermouth, and certainly no sugar.

to the times it (remix) goes well....-

  10.


 rtrudeau wrote:


This track makes me feel odd and schizophrenic. On one hand I'm saying "what a cool song," and on the other I'm thinking "It's Billie Holiday! Sacriledge!" Now I'm just confused.

 

Yeah, I know what you mean. Verve also remixed a song by Nina Simone that did not need any help, but the fact is that I find the remix really exciting. I think this is a justifiable art-form - maybe like a painter or sculptor that bases their artwork on a classic.
we LIKE it!
I much prefer Billie Holiday without the "help".  This version is too much like gilding the lily. : (
 MsJudi wrote:

Now I've heard it all- a remix of Billie Holiday.


 

This track makes me feel odd and schizophrenic. On one hand I'm saying "what a cool song," and on the other I'm thinking "It's Billie Holiday! Sacriledge!" Now I'm just confused.

Now I've heard it all- a remix of Billie Holiday.
robco1 wrote:
Me too, on both counts. Very nice . . .
Me three! I was sure it Shirley Bassey. This is good.
Mnemo wrote:
Imo we should pay tribute to "Bent" too for this really nice remix. Thumbs up guys.
Agreed. Bent is a weird and wonderful group. Some of their stuff is just plain strange, but some of their stuff (such as this remix) is quite accessible.
Falls into a "clever" category - quite likeable
This is very slick.
ronniegirl wrote:
I looked, expecting it was Shirley! I like it.
Me too, on both counts. Very nice . . .
This is *almost* as good as Cocorosie.
ronniegirl wrote:
quesarah wrote:
Kind of nice. Didn't realize before how much Shirley Bassey's voice reminds me of BH ( from what little I've heard of Billie, I have to admit. )
I looked, expecting it was Shirley! I like it.
same here! love it
quesarah wrote:
Kind of nice. Didn't realize before how much Shirley Bassey's voice reminds me of BH ( from what little I've heard of Billie, I have to admit. )
I looked, expecting it was Shirley! I like it.
Kind of nice. Didn't realize before how much Shirley Bassey's voice reminds me of BH ( from what little I've heard of Billie, I have to admit. )
Josephine wrote:
oh what a wonderful way to highlight Billie. I really like this remix!
Yeh, me too. Love the feel of this track, oh, and what a song!
Imo we should pay tribute to "Bent" too for this really nice remix. Thumbs up guys.
wonderful
Somehow I think BH would have gone in this direction if she were alive today. gopre wrote:
Please don't mess with my Billie. Pa-lease.
Good morning Bill what a beautiful song!!!!!!!
This is just beautiful... I haven't listened to the original song, and maybe I will; hail to the remix!
stevetheshoe wrote:
I actually think that the remixes bring new life to the originals. And may turn on a new audience who wouldn't listen otherwise.
Strong point, I would say.
I actually think that the remixes bring new life to the originals. And may turn on a new audience who wouldn't listen otherwise.
birdland wrote:
Against my better judgement - I like it. But I love Billie on the original releases. So I suppose if someone hears her for the first time through this incarnation, then investigates the originals, they'll be enlightened twice. Lucky them.
good point!
Sorry, this pales in comparison to the original. On it's own, though, it's not terrible.
Cynaera wrote:
Sorry, but I'm a hopeless purist. Gimme the original. Anything else is too much technology trying to fix something that ain't broken.
Please don't mess with my Billie. Pa-lease.
sine-quinn-non wrote:
anyone have the album? is it worth buying?
My opinion is no. Like so many songs on RP, Bill is able to find the one really good song on a CD of junk. This is no exception. I guess that's what makes iTunes so great--you only have to buy the one song. That being said, I have no idea if this is on iTunes.
celadonstone wrote:
Something about the tunnel effect on Billie's voice in this song that makes it feel like she's singing to us all LIVE from the Afterlife. Just an observation.
I like this observation.. yeah it is quite cool considering the sonic space of the rest of the song.
sine-quinn-non wrote:
anyone have the album? is it worth buying?
I uploaded this from my own copy of this album. Yeah, if you like both DJ/electronica stuff and classic jazz and pop--which I do--then this should be right up your alley.
reedifus wrote:
Trapped in James Bond's nightmare.
I disagree, but I can hear why you think that...LOL
I love it - it touches me in a place where there is no sarcasam or cheap funny comments - what a voice she had. It completely enhances her music. I think it's wonderful.
I agree, these artists aren't trying to "fix" anything. All of the Verve "Remixed" albums are really about introducing a new group of people to some older/amazing music. It helped me get into jazz more than I would have normally Lazaerus wrote:
why do you assume that someone is trying to "fix" Billies music? It certainly could be interpreted as someone enhancing music with Billies voice... could it not?
Trapped in James Bond's nightmare.
Sweet-N-Low Darling...Too sweet!
anyone have the album? is it worth buying?
bokey wrote:
Kind of blasphemous if you ask me,but nobody did and my opinion doesn't really matter that much.
Agreed. Is it awful? No. But it's certainly not needed and adds nothing to the song.