During the 20th century, American songwriters produced songs that became the standard for vocalists around the world. While many have recorded versions of these songs over the years, Tony Bennett is in that rare class of ... more »artist who actually took part in their original interpretation. Tony Bennett Sings The
Ultimate American Songbook features fifteen of the best-known
songs from this large body of work.
At the end of the 20s, into the 30s and 40s, there was a revolution in popular music that will never be topped. Like a renaissance period that was pure magic, it will become our classical music, and it turns out to be The Great American Songbook. Tony Bennett« less
During the 20th century, American songwriters produced songs that became the standard for vocalists around the world. While many have recorded versions of these songs over the years, Tony Bennett is in that rare class of artist who actually took part in their original interpretation. Tony Bennett Sings The
Ultimate American Songbook features fifteen of the best-known
songs from this large body of work.
At the end of the 20s, into the 30s and 40s, there was a revolution in popular music that will never be topped. Like a renaissance period that was pure magic, it will become our classical music, and it turns out to be The Great American Songbook. Tony Bennett
CD Reviews
NOT NEW RECORDINGS!!! BUYER BEWARE. !!!!!!!
Edmund E. Meyer | Clermont Florida | 09/28/2007
(1 out of 5 stars)
"When I first looked at this cd in the store I really felt this was a brand new CD newley recorded. I read the fine print to find out it was not. To my knowledge not one song is newley recorded.
I feel this is just another way for the record companies to take advantage of the public and make a fast buck,and at top dollar yet!. Puting an older picture of Tony's picture on the CD jacket almost fooled me.
Mr. Bennett is a great artist and should consider going into the recording studio and recreating these songs with a full orchestra. Put on your old Bennett cds and save your money for now.
Ed Meyer
Clermont Florida
"
A sterling new compilation of previously recorded tunes span
Paul Tognetti | Cranston, RI USA | 09/27/2007
(5 out of 5 stars)
"At first glance one might question whether or not we really need another album of tunes derived from "The Great American Songbook". After all, if you have found yourself listening to recent albums by the likes of Rod Stewart then you just might wonder what all the fuss was about in the first place. But happily what we have here is the real deal folks. Columbia Records proudly presents this captivating new CD "Tony Bennett Sings The Ultimate American Songbook: Vol 1". This disc features 15 of the most beloved songs in the history of American popular music. The tunes are familiar and most people will even know the lyrics to many of the songs. What a refreshing idea!
As I indicated earlier, the tunes that have been included in "Tony Bennett Sings The Ultimate American Songbook" were culled from a number of Tony's LP's spanning the past four decades. For the most part what you hear is Tony Bennett in his prime and at the top of his game. You will certainly enjoy Tony's touching renditions of all-time favorites like "I'll Be Seeing You", "The Way You Look Tonight" and "Taking A Chance On Love". Likewise, Tony's swinging take on the venerable Harold Arlen/Johnny Mercer tune "That Old Black Magic" backed by Dave Brubeck on piano and Paul Desmond on alto sax is guaranteed to put a smile on your face. And I would be remiss if I failed to mention Tony's outstanding 1964 recording of "It Had To Be You", a tune that was featured in the RKO motion picture "Show Business". I was also impressed by a couple of numbers that I was previously unfamiliar with including "She's Funny That Way" and "You'll Never Get Away From Me" from the Broadway musical "Gypsy". I am very pleased to report that there was not one weak track on this disc. I only wish that there were 25 tunes instead of the mere 15 that were offered on this one.
Now I am usually not very big on repackaged collections. And I do agree with some other reviewers who are extremely annoyed with the record company for putting a fairly recent photo of Tony Bennett on the cover of this disc. It would appear that this is a newly recorded album of standards. But for me at the end of the day it really doesn't matter. Tony Bennett is clearly one of the outstanding vocalists in the history of American popular music. He does justice to each and every one of the tunes included on this disc. "Tony Bennett Sings The Ultimate American Songbook: Vol. 1" would be an outstanding gift idea for people of all ages. This collection would bring back warm memories for older folks and also serve as a marvelous introduction to younger people of the best that American popular music has to offer. Highly recommended!"
UNFORTUNATE DISAPPOINTMENT--MERELY MORE OF THE SAME
RJI, ESQ | HATFIELD, PA | 09/30/2007
(1 out of 5 stars)
"After several weeks of inquiry prior to the release, and after careful
inspection of the CD (gleaned from the fine print on the back of the CD),
I can now confirm that this "new" CD is merely more of the same--another complilation CD of the "Great American Songbook." To say that this "new CD" is an unfortunate disappointment is a gross understatement. Adding insult to injury is the crytic nature in which it is marketed--nowhere is there a reference to the fact that these are previously released songs--as noted above--the only way this is ascertained is by looking at the release dates (in the fine print) on the back cover. Not to mention in the several stores I was in, attempting to here a sample, the players indicated the CD was not scanned and could not be played? Why I wonder? Moreover, all descriptions of the CD on line make mention that these songs are derived from Mr. Bennett's many works, not noting that they are the actually works--previously released--not re-makes from an older, wiser, more skilled Mr. Bennett.
Given the above, what is the point in this CD? Save for the obvious intent to dress up old material and get a double dip in profit. If you are truly interested in these songs, purchase the albums from whence
they came. Complilations rob the listener of the intended moods set by the organization and concept of the particular album. All this material has already been re-released--get the actual albums and listen to these songs as they were intended to be heard.
This is what causes me such consternation, if it was the intent of Mr. Bennett and Columbia to release a definative "Songbook" series (as is clear by the labeling of Vol. 1--suggesting more volumes to come)
why not release everything in a complete box set, akin to the massive Sinatra box sets.
In sum, this complilation is merely more of the same, it's lackluster and an extreme let done after Mr. Bennett's stellar album "The Art of Romance. Moreover, I fully support celebrating Mr. Bennett's legacy and major contributions to American Standards, however Mr. Bennett is the last of the Breed, he is still in good voice, and his efforts should be concentrated on continuing to add to the Great American Songbook, not repeating it.
Sorry Piasan, this CD is a major let down. We expect more from you.
B"
With A Compilation As Good As This, You Can't Go Wrong! This
Rebecca*rhapsodyinblue* | CA USA | 11/03/2007
(5 out of 5 stars)
""At the end of the '20s, into the '30s and '40s, there was a revolution in popular music that will never be topped. Like a renaissance period that was pure and magic, it will become our classical music, and it turns out to be the Great American Songbook." ~ Tony Bennett ~
If there are singers who have every right to do a compilation of their most remarkable recordings of standards known as the Great American Songbook, Tony Bennett is surely one of them, no ifs and buts, without questions! And this CD, "Tony Bennett Sings The Ultimate American Songbook, Volume I" is just the tip of the iceberg. Volume I boasts of 15 most-loved songs taken from a dozen of different albums that he recorded between 1958 and 1997 with a crew of the finest musicians you can ever hope for to make these recordings as grand as possible and as everlasting as time - to name a few, Count Basie Orchestra, The Ralph Sharon Trio, Dave Brubeck, Paul Desmond, Torrie Zito and Frank DeVol.
Kudos to compilation producer Didier Deutsch who did a lovely job in the repertoire, which starts off in a swinging fashion with "Anything Goes," a Cole Porter gem from Broadway musical of the same title. Mr. Bennett's marvelous treatment of Ray Noble's "The Very Thought Of You," which was originally released in 1966 is among the best interpretations ever recorded. It is sung as beautiful as a bouquet of delicate pink roses! I savored each and every note from the first to the last! And I was blown away by the gorgeous and elegant orchestral arrangement by Cyril Ornadel and the splendid cornet solo by Bobby Hackett.
He gives a delightful twist to the music of Jerome Kern and a charming reading of the lyric of Dorothy Fields in my all-time favorite "The Way You Look Tonight." The utmost confidence and distinctive vocal style that Mr. Bennett project are presented in the best tracks such as "It Had To Be You," "You Go To My Head" and "A Foggy Day." He puts a lot of verve in the swingiest track, "Taking A Chance On Love," with Count Basie And His Orchestra. Torrie Zito, one of the most remarkable Sinatra arrangers, has written an enchanting chart arrangement with his usual trademark - a touch of Debussy to the timeless gem by George and Ira Gershwin, "They Can't Take That Away From Me" making it as one of the highlights from this collection. Ditto with "I'll Be Seeing You," "Ain't Misbehavin'" and "Moonglow," a wonderful and flawless duet with k.d. lang.
With the backing of jazz greats Dave Brubeck (piano), Paul Desmond (alto sax), Eugene Wright (bass) and Joe Morello (drums), Tony Bennett sings with elan, and the group exuberantly jazzified Johnny Mercer and Harold Arlen's chestnut "That Old Black Magic."
Another Cole Porter classic was interpreted with a heartfelt poignancy that goes with the reading of the lyric, "Ev'ry Time We Say Goodbye." Its stylish and sophisticated orchestral arrangement was done by Frank DeVol.
"When you're near
There's such an air of spring about it
I can hear a lark somewhere
Begin to sing about it
There's no love song finer
But how strange the change from major to minor
Ev'ry time we say goodbye"
Although this is not a CD of new recordings, with a compilation as good as this, you can't go wrong! I'll certainly look forward to succeeding volume(s)!
Timeless music from a timeless artist to enjoy now and forever.
Track Listings (17) - Disc #1