Customer Reviews

The Complete Improv Recordings (4CD)

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This compilation covers about the whole range of Bennett. The first disk is the typical NYC big orchestra with too much reverb on Tony faire. None-the-less enjoyable. The bulk of material came from a 1975 album. The 2nd CD is a more intimate NYC studio session with the Ruby Braff/George Barnes Quartet. Very nice. The 3rd CD and the 1st half of the 4th CD is the Bill Evans/Tony - Together Again album. It includes all the original cuts plus a couple of alternates of each cut. Sublime is the best way to describe these CD. The mastering is bit better on this CD than earlier releases. The last half of the 4h CD is sort of strange yet fun date Tony had in Buffalo. Buffalo? Bennett is backed by Marian and Jimmy McPartland and their band. The rhythm section is great (Charlie Byrd on guitar) but the horns sometimes sound like a clown band. I think maybe they were trying to do Dixieland but it sounded more like clown music. Fun nonetheless.

Sort of a weird compilation but I enjoyed it.

Who knew the iconic Tony Bennett would make some of the greatest recordings of his legendary career on his own little but by the results of these awesome recordings mighty Improv Records label after years of frustration with major labels? Late sixties became a ugly & nasty time for great singers as radio programmers appeared to be a bunch of spaced out pot-heads who would only program what would ultimately make them look "cool and with it" so forget about Tony Bennett and many other awesome vocal talents who no matter how great their output equalled no airplay...record companies became nervous and new Columbia Records label head had it in his head youth market was the target and forget about artistry but what he didn't realize was Mr. Tony Bennett with high artistic integrity had no interest in rocking-out & this amazing story is outlined in generous and fascinating liner notes...off to MGM and "The Good Things In Life" masterpiece beautifully arranged by Robert Farnon was born but sadly radio would by now only play what seemed like tone-deaf singer/songwriters and a singer with a great voice was not considered "cool" so another brilliant masterwork was overlooked and to date this superb lp still not released on Compact Disc. Early seventies witnessed the beginning of the demise of the music industry in the classic sense (built on talent & artistry) enjoyed previous decades and no recovery has been made to date as any true music lover is aware...mid-seventies when Improv Records was launched most major artists were dropped by major labels and left floundering going from smaller to smaller label...today airplay is controlled more than ever before and across the country blanket programming seemed to have started to take hold during this bleak musical period. Tried in the seventies to call in numerous various requests but told "not on our playlist" therefore it doesn't take a rocket scientist to figure out what was going on so too bad for and good-bye to artistry. Sixties radio was a great mix of pop, r&b, rock, great singers and a little jazz but this great musical era came to an end going in to the seventies and each decade range of radio has become more segmented and narrow making many who love music left wondering whatever happened to the great sounds of yesteryear? Sadly looks like they won't be coming back for the masses.
Still believing in artistry over current chart entries, Tony Bennett launched Improv Records with Disc One in this awesome collection his amazing label debut plus a rich array of bonus tracks all breathtaking! Opening "Life Is Beautiful" title song written by Fred Astaire, this glorious lp alone is more than worth the price of this tremendous collection arranged to perfection by legendary Torrie Zito who arranged "A Taste Of Honey" masterpiece for Morgana King. Sublime orchestrations by Mr. Zito frame and showcase superb vocals by Tony Bennett finding the legendary icon at the peak of his remarkable power. Bonus tracks diverse including a tremendous "I've Got You Under My Skin", "What Is This Thing Called Love?" and "Mr. Magic" are beyond description and have to be heard to appreciate the high level of quality here...some of the greatest singing this long-time music lover has ever experienced.
Disc Two is a completely incredible twenty-six song Rodgers & Hart Songbook and once again a stunning collection making this sublime box set a essential must-have for any real music lover...vocals are front and center and musicians cook and are superb on all of these classic gems...a real treasure!
Disc Three and half of four are the mesmerizing sessions featuring Tony Bennett with legendary Bill Evans on piano...these two are a musical match made in heaven and both are at the peak of their amazing musical power...impossible to pick who is on top in this legendary collection of magnificent performances so just enjoy two masters complimenting each other in a rare and beautiful way...listen to these endlessly and never tire of such beauty...Bravo Tony & Bill!
"What What Happens" features Marian McPartland on piano for closing songs in this glorious musical treasure chest of timeless classic performances...live jam set finds inspired musicians with an equally inspired singer in what sounds like a small jazz club setting being a perfect setting transferring beautifully to this sublime recording...piano leads the way and what a lucky audience & wonderful this awesome event is available to all to savor and enjoy for all time...once again, collection is a timeless classic and don't miss out...when small label treasures are gone, price goes up big-time and this one is exquisite, rare and golden!!!
Bravo Tony Bennett!

Super-Fast and easy download! Product Perfect, This Mp3 is amazing! Amazon once more comes through with the best price! I Recommend this music A++++

This 4-CD set contains all of Tony Bennett's Improv recordings, made between 1973 and 1977. While it is a little more intimate (particularly the Bill Evans recordings) than Tony's classic Columbia sides, it contains some of Bennett's finest singing, and paved the way for Tony's return to Columbia and his commercial comeback in the 1980s.

This set is a perfect companion to Sony Legacy's 5-CD set, Fifty Years: The Artistry of Tony Bennett, which I also own and love, and is well worth owning.

Happy belated 85th, Tony, and keep the music coming!