Cloud 7 (Reis) [Original recording remastered]

Tony Bennett | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (August 10, 2004)
• Number of Discs: 1
• Format: Original recording remastered
• Label: Sony
• ASIN: B0002MHEJQ
• Also Available in: Vinyl  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 3.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #75,405 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

Although he'd scored a string of successful pop singles for Columbia in the early 1950s, Tony Bennett's career as jazz singer proper began on this, his first effort in the fledgling LP format. This long out-of-print 1955 release (released here on CD for the first time as part of the label's Tony Bennett Master Series) has been a perennial favorite among Bennett aficionados, and for good reason. Framed by the intimate, small combos (led on most of the cuts by guitarist Chuck Wayne) he still favors a half-century later, one can hear the forceful, neo-theatrical delivery of the singer's early sides give way here to the supple vocal charms that would make his legend. But that's only half the story: Bennett peruses the American songbook with a connoisseur's nose for distinction, and it's small wonder that he still revisits the exuberance of "Old Devil Moon" and earnest warmth of "Give Me the Simple Life" five decades later. The waxing and waning of Bennett's fortunes over that period only reflect the fickle nature of fashion; this intimate collection firmly underscores the sound artistic instincts beneath his remarkable legacy. --Jerry McCulley

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars My favorite Tony Bennett album...., January 21, 2008

By 

Comic Online (Washington, DC United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Cloud 7 (Reis) (Audio CD)

Why is it my favorite? It was recorded more than 20 years before i was even born (1954), so i have no personal connection to it. Well, i love it because it's possibly the smoothest, jazziest album Bennett ever recorded (at least, in his youth). In the studio, he is joined by the Chuck Wayne Septet, providing a sparse and romantic, but jaunty and jazzy background. At this stage in his career, his Bennett's voice still had that smoky quality, but it was soooooo smooth and even, his voice went down like a fine cognac. It's sexy, it's romantic. It's just pure beauty.

3 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars Tinny Echo, Spoils Golden Talent, December 31, 2005

By 

Bill Corsair "Former Drummer, DJ, TV Co-Host ... - See all my reviews

This review is from: Cloud 7 (Reis) (Audio CD)

This re-release has an annoying "Tinny" echo, especially noticible on the band track, that spoils an otherwise admirable outing. This is also the same problem with the "Basie Swings/Bennett Sings" CD. Hard to believe that modern recording savvy can't take this flaw out of re-issues. You may be a bigger Bennett fan than I (hard to believe) and be willing to wade through this major distraction. If so, have at it. As for me I'll be picking up "The Art of Romance", by Tony, instead, and regret the loss of a listenable "Cloud 7".

Also Recommended: Bennett CDs : "The Good Life", "Playin' With My Friends", "If I Ruled The World, Songs For The Jet Set", and "Astoria: Portrait of the Artist"