Customer Reviews

Art of Excellence

5 star:		(15)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I've been playng this CD for years ! I love it.Modern and innovative.
I just happen to listen to the latest from Regina Belle,'Lazy Afternoon'.
I got the very same feelings and the first words which came to my mind were: :new,very contemporay,risky(too adventurous for very well estabished performers !!!),creative...and wonderful !!
I enjoy them both..immensely.
It's because the songs are so beautiful,but also because who sings
those songs must be a ...genius..
'What are you afraid of'....'Why do people fall in love'..
How can you forget those tunes and those fantastic singers ??

Five Big Stars!!!!! SUPERB Bennet performances in a totally captivating set of carefully selected songwriting jewels. Spinning MESMERIZING performances, one after another, this is clearly one of Tony Bennet's best recordings and therefore an ESSENTIAL RECORDING for any fan of ballads, blues, and esoteric pop songs. Tony has a flair for finding little known tasteful songs that deserve more respect from singers and listeners. All songs are done up in fascinating Jorge Calandrelli arrangements played by a huge string laden orchestra which Jorge conducts. And yes, Ralph Sharon's amazing pianism and trio are here. Perfect!!

The beautiful opening song, "Why Do People Fall In Love?", is a soaring, lush triumph with a special surprise hidden at the end. Besides Tony, only Sarah Vaughn had the guts to sincerely tackle "So Many Stars", which got it's definitive reading from Lani Hall & Sergio Mendes, but Tony finds another wonderful slant on this cult classic. "Everybody Gets The Blues" is a 'Meeting of Titans' as Bennett and 'Brother' Ray Charles have a barrel of fun singing some very slick, humorous lyrics. "Moments Like This" is classic Bennett with Ralph Sharon's fabulous piano swinging lightly and so hard at the same time. "Moments.." had to bring a wide smile of admiration from Sinatra when he first heard it. "What Are You Afraid Of?" is after-dinner lushness of the highest order. Fred Astaire's "City of the Angels" gets the definitive reading of some clever lyrics by the great dancer. It's fun to drive around LA while listening to this very hip song. Fred (and Tony) nailed the experience! And don't forget "Forget the Woman" a towering, memorable performance with its searing relationship 'punchline': it's one of those songs tailor made for Tony's believable, heartfelt voice and style.

The two 'Pieces D'Resistance' for me begin with "When Love Was All We Had" which starts off out of tempo and surges to a great crescendo. The alto saxophonist is absolutely splendid on the interlude. And the other is "How Do You Keep the Music Playing?" with a spine-tingling ending as Tony pulls out all of the vocal stops. Amazing! But the entire CD is excellent. Five Big Stars!!!!!

(NOTE: There is a great foldout Annie Leibovitz photograph behind the CD photo cover. This review is written for the NEW Tony Bennett fans because the old fans bought the "Art of Excellence" CD years ago!! Welcome Aboard, new fans! You're so lucky! But beware, this CD is hard to find so grab it without delay when you can see it.)

In my opinion, the review by Mr. Hibbert is lousy! He should get another job, how can he degrade this album! It's one of my very favorites. Tony's rendition of "How Do You Keep the Music Playing" is fantastic. I can close my eyes and hear him singing this song as he usually does when closing a show. And, Tony, never sings it the same twice! The song, "What Are You Afraid Of" is a favorite of both my mom and I, it's about the sexiest rendition of that song I've ever heard. Talk about bridging the generation gap! City of the Angels, Lost in Her Arms, all are fantastic.

Please disregard Mr. Hibbert's review and buy this one as his fans are the best judge of Mr. Bennett. I have a couple of this album, in the car, by my cassette radio to play and in the home unit.

Listen and Judge for Yourself! We luv Tony Bennett! Always.

Easily Tony Bennett's finest work--in fact it is the finest vocal work by anybody. Ralph Sharon's piano, the beautifully applied brass support and the very choice of songs leave it without peer.

This is the best (so far) of Bennett's later albums. All good songs. "I Got Lost In Her Arms" is simply amazing. Bennett proves in this album why he's a classic singer and why it's such a shame he didn't record for ten years prior to this.

A note to Amazon. Why have a reviewer who clearly doesn't like or respect Bennett review his albums? Such a reviewer is likely to give every album, no matter how good, a bad review. He also attacks Bennett and his fans personally, which is childish.

Tony Bennett is an acquired taste in today's world. I won't argue that point. Still, those who disdain this release are missing the bigger picture.

Or perhaps they aren't. Perhaps they simply have a prejudice against the musical style of M Bennett.

Whatever. This is without doubt one of the finest records (and now CDs) Tony has ever produced. Starting with an arresting "Why Do People Fall In Love," through a delightful duet with Ray Charles, and a perfectly realized "A Rainy Day," Tony stumbles not the first time on this excellent return to the Columbia label.

The Art of Excellence, indeed. Keep it up, Tony.

In my opinion, the review by Mr. Hibbert is lousy! He should get another job, how can he degrade this album! It's one of my very favorites. Tony's rendition of "How Do You Keep the Music Playing" is fantastic. I can close my eyes and hear him singing this song as he usually does when closing a show. And, Tony, never sings it the same twice! The song, "What Are You Afraid Of" is a favorite of both my mom and I, it's about the sexiest rendition of that song I've ever heard. Talk about bridging the generation gap! City of the Angels, Lost in Her Arms, all are fantastic.

Please disregard Mr. Hibbert's review and buy this one as his fans are the best judge of Mr. Bennett. I have a couple of this album, in the car, by my cassette radio to play and in the home unit.

Listen and Judge for Yourself! We luv Tony Bennett! Always.

The Art of Excellence is a selection of twelve songs which brings Tony's very soul to your heart. The best Why Do People Fall In Love and How Do You Keep The Music Playing, to date. Moments Like This, Forget The Woman and When Love Was All We Had are simply fantastic. You won't forget Forget The Woman and Everybody Has The Blues. 5 very big stars! Just buy it!

For you romantics out there, this is the best Tony Bennett album ever...in fact, one of the best albums period in any genre...The mix of Tony's voice, Ralph Sharon's piano and some of the best lyrics from the best American songwriters ever make for perfection...The nuances of Ralph Sharon's playing...and the feeling Tony puts into these love songs will make you fall in love. It's too bad Tony has kind of abandoned this type of music. It's rare and goes beyond what music is about.

Possibly the best Tony Bennett has recorded. The choice of songs brings out the best in his voice.