Tony Bennett – Vocals
Ruby Braff – Cornet
George Barnes – Guitar
Wayne Wright – Guitar
John Giuffrida – Bass
The music on this album
was originally on two LP’s from Tony Bennett’s
ill-fated label Improv; they were recorded
in 1973.
The tune selection cannot
be faulted, Rogers and Hart were excellent
in both the musical composition and fascinating
lyrics departments. This album is a perfect
example of both components of their work.
Tony Bennett is one of
the finest singers around, great delivery,
immediately recognisable; he delivers each
song in his wonderful and inimitable style.
The accompaniment is much
less to my liking; I have enjoyed Bennett
with some excellent Big Bands and also with
Ralph Sharon, for a long time his superb
MD and pianist. Two guitars and a bass do
little for me, in fact the rhythm section
is more plodding than swinging and Ruby
Braff seems to me very predictable on this
album. I have heard him on two jazz festival
appearances and he was more interesting
than on this record, despite falling out
with the rhythm section on both occasions!
Fortunately Tony Bennett
never made a bad record and so it was good
to hear him sing these wonderful songs,
but how much better it would have been with
a conventional jazz rhythm section.
Don Mather
CD Reviews
Concord Jazz CCD-2243-2
