Elly Roberts reviews
Tony Bennett: The Art Of Romancee
Distributed by
Columbia (EMI)
- Cat.no: 5188692
- Released: December 2004
- Rating: 10/10
The art of romance is definitely not dead as this CD confirms.
Somehow it’s
hard to imaging a teenage Tony Bennett as a singing waiter. Fast forward and
now 78 years, he sounds as good as ever. The Art Of Romance is a 53 minutes 24
seconds lovers delight – whatever age you are.
Born Anthony Dominick Benedetto, August 3, 1926 in Queens New York, he began
his recording career with the number one single Stranger In Paradise in 1955
and the album The Beat Of My Heart in 1957. His first UK album success would
have to wait until 1965 with the release of his signature tune I Left My
Heart In San Francisco.
Considered the epitome of cool, Bennett is second only
to Sinatra as an interpreter of classic Jazz-inflected American song. Careful
articulation,with a sure sense of swing, accompanied by an air of restrained
bemusement it characterises his inimitable penchant for understated
singing.
During WWII he sang in the he performed in the US Army’s
entertainment corps. Spotted by Bob Hope whilst appearing with Pearl Bailey
under the name Joe Bari,he was enlisted to open shows at New York’s
Paramount Theater and changed his name to Tony Bennett.
After his 60’s heyday he experienced a fallow spell. He continued with live
shows, but didn’t record between 1978 and 1985. He decided to concentrate on
his painting, exhibiting in Paris, New York and London. Since then he’s
re-signed to Columbia, won three Grammys and recorded critically acclaimed
albums.
This his 9th UK release, he sticks to familiar terroitory, as you get
gushings of sax, brushes, strings and classy crooning which is text book
stuff. Teaming up with legendary producer Phil Ramone and
Grammy/Oscar-winning arranger Johnny Mandel, it combines old and new
standards with compositions by Alan and Marilyn Bergman, Robert Farnon and
Cy Coleman.
Recorded from the John Harms Theatre Englewood New Jersey with
Bennett’s quartet and orchestra, it’s recorded into a state of the art
studio adjacent to the theatre. Living for years in the shadow of Sinatra,
he’s finally become top-dog. Get the candles out and lay the table–it’s time
for romance.
Best songs: Close Enough For Love, I Remember You, Time To Smile,
The Best Man and All I Want For Christmas.
The full list of tracks included are :
DVDs reviewed by the editor are watched on a Panasonic TXW32R4 32" widescreen TV
connected to either a Creative Dxr2 DVD-ROM player or Microsoft Xbox and
played through a Sony STR-DB930 amplifier.
Review & concert pics copyright © Elly Roberts, 2004-2008.
