Open Web Player
No one in popular music has had a recording career as long as Tony Bennett, now 89 years old, has had. Putting his first LP out in 1952 ("Because Of You") and putting his most recent one out 63 years later.
This year, Tony Bennett teamed up with jazz pianist Bill Charlap to record an album of standards penned by composer Jerome Kern. As such, Tony gives us brand new recordings of some songs we heard him sing across the years.
The album is pretty split between just piano/vocal and small jazz section+piano/vocal, but it makes for a hell of a listen. As is tradition with Tony's earlier albums with Bill Evans, he sings the main portion of the song, gives the pianist a minute or around that to play solo, the comes back in to finish out the music. The album is very relaxing and makes for a great listen.
Now, what most people are probably here to find out most is the question of the vocals of Tony at this age.
I see a lot of reviewers say: "he doesn't have it anymore" or any number of criticisms. My answer is: he's 89. Yeah he's going to sound old and no he's not going to sound the same as he did when he first recorded "I Left My Heart In San Francisco" in 1962. He's going to sound different and...well...old!
Now, to turn this around, he doesn't sound the way you'd expect him to at age 89. The album certainly has a few clunkers here and there but nothing so offensive that he should stop singing because...to be honest...he sounds DAMN good for 89.
Tony is a little raspy and his vibrato is a bit out of shape but to my ears he sounds better than anyone should possibly sound at this age, and it makes for a hell of an album. Tony has finally embraced his baritone register and spends most of the album on softer low-mid register vocalizing, with the occasional signature high note that he busts out with great voice and still with great power, and to be honest his choice of style and range for this album help make the CD as great as it is, for me personally.
The replay value of this album is excellent, in particular for me "All The Things You Are" and "The Last Time I Saw Paris". But the album is full of gems.
So if you're a true Tony Bennett enthusiast (in the sense that you actually understand the concept of aging), then you're going to adore this album to pieces. Its an excellent jazz album and another excellent addition to the discography of one of America's greatest vocalists of all time.
Similar items that may deliver to you quickly
Page 1 of 1 Start overPage 1 of 1
Top reviews from the United States
There was a problem filtering reviews right now. Please try again later.
Reviewed in the United States on December 21, 2015
Reviewed in the United States on October 8, 2015
Reviewed in the United States on November 2, 2017
Reviewed in the United States on October 17, 2023
Reviewed in the United States on September 25, 2015
Top reviews from other countries
H. - Dieter Döll
Ein neuer anderer Toni benett ?
Reviewed in Germany on April 16, 2017
