Customer Reviews

Together Again

5 star:		(11)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

When I listened to this CD the first time, my reaction was that the first Tony Bennett/Bill Evans album was better. But after several listenings, I've come to the conclusion that Together Again is at least as good as the first TB/BE collaboration. I especially like the alternate takes; indeed, I wonder why some of the alternate takes are alternate! The alternate rendition of "The Two Lonely People" is particularly moving -- I think Tony captures the meaning of the lyric a little more convincingly on the alternate take than he does on the final take. Tony and Bill's rendition of "You Must Believe in Spring" -- a Michel Legrand-written masterpiece -- is a treasure. That song alone is worth the price of the whole CD.

In short, this release is a must-have. Get it and enjoy it for a long, long time.

Having been in love with the first Bill Evans/Tony Bennett collaboration for years, I have been frustrated by the fact that this 2nd project has been unavailable for so long. What a thrill that it has been re-released, and with bonus tracks and alternate takes making it twice the length of the original. The quality of Tony Bennett's instrument has never been more evident than in these raw, brave duets with Bill Evans. There is subtlety and maturity in spades as both are such consumate and experienced artists who had nothing to prove. This CD is exquisite from first to last, with a superb selection of unusual songs, including Evan's own remarkable tune, The Two Lonely People, but it is the version of You Must Believe In Spring which is so sumptuous and delicate as to produce goosebumps for this listener. If you're a fan of either Bennett or Evans, this CD is essential. Manna from heaven.

A simple poignant collection of wonderful songs. This is right up there with Ella and Joe Pass collaboration.

It was thrilling to find this album reissued on CD. I bought this on vinyl when it was originally issued in the 70's. "You must believe in spring" and "a child is born" are probably the diffinative versions. My wife and I played the latter at the birth of our three children. The sound is so full you forget it's just the two of them. They sound like an orchestra! Tony's voice is in top form for "Together Again". Bill Evans has always been one of the deepest thinkers at the keyboard. He anchors Tony's soulful interpretations with some of the most subtle chord changes you'll ever hear!

Bill Evans almost never recorded with a vocalist. But he and Tony Bennett admired each others work, so they wanted to record.

Due to contractual problems, they performed "Together" & "Together Again" at the same time. "Together" was released by Bill's label and "Together Again" was released by Tony's.

"Together" been available for years but "Together Again" was not.

Superb Jazz vocals. Better selection, better recording than the first! Where has this been hiding?

Tony Bennett uses his voice like a musical instrument.

...and that's saying something, considering that I'm a jazz percussionist, and not a pianist or a vocalist. I bought this album after years of loving the first Tony Bennett/Bill Evans Album. It's got all of the subtlety, sensitivity, and intensity of the first one-- and Bill and Tony recreate that symbiotic relationship they had in '75 perfectly. I say this one's my favorite, but there's very little difference for me between the two albums besides repertoire. The songs here are choice, and many are quite obscure. The first track with vocals, "Lucky to Be Me," has a happy, optimistic, (but not sappy,) vibe that is matched on the last track, "Dream Dancing." In-between there are tracks that feel like pure love, ("You're Nearer," "Make Someone Happy," and "A Child is Born,") and others that remind you what it feels like to lose love. ("Who Can I Turn To," "You Don't Know What Love Is," and "Two Lonely People,") The other tracks speak of loss, but also of hope. (Like "Lonely Girl," "Maybe September," and an incredibly haunting version of Michel Legrand's "You Must Believe in Spring.")

The only one I left out was the vocal-less theme from "The Bad and the Beautiful." Very hip, starting out a piano-vocal duet album with solo piano, especially if your pianist is possibly the greatest solo player ever. But Bill is not the only huge talent shown off here. Tony Bennett is often thought of as a lounge singer, a pop singer, or an 'Italian crooner.' He can be all of these things, but the power he displays on the endings of "A Child is Born" and "You Don't Know What Love Is," and the advanced concept of harmony that he must posess simply to sing the melody of "The Two Lonely People" show that he is much more than a Rat Pack alternate.

Having almost the entire album over in alternate takes may seem like overkill, but each extra track gives us insight into the way the duo worked together, and the second version of "You're Nearer" brings us the song's simple but sweet verse.

This album and its predecessor are great examples of two master musicians communicating on the highest of levels. This one is beautiful in that it offers plenty of musical moments that will knock the most advanced musicians' socks off, and yet the beautifully sung and played messages in the wealth of great lyrics can touch everyone.

These tunes by Tony always bring back many memories of years back...too many to mention, as I listened to his early LPs in my college dorm room. His voice is always recognizable in many of the favorite hits in 60's and on through the 90's. An artist like Tony never fades away, but only gets better as time goes on. This album continues to encourage the nostalgia in most of us, as we just listen to his familiar and wonderful tunes. Remember when?

Like spending excellent night at jazz club with your sweetheart, this cd le warm feeling in my heart. Lyrics are beautiful. Tony will show you we can enjoy graceful aging. I really love passage like 'Make just one someone happy, and you will be happy,too.'. Tony and Bill's play have given the charm on this simple words. You'll love this cd if you have somebody to love. (The sound really fine. I don't know about remastering technology, but it's incredible original cd was realeased in 1977.) What frustrates me is "I really want to see them play." Their collaboration is so perfect!

This is the 4th time I have purchased this recording. I actually have it on record, on the ill-fated Improv label, on tape and on CD. I hear that people have not been able to find it, maybe living in NY, I have a bot more access than others.

That said, this latest repackaging is a joy. If you do not have this "sequel", it is a new discovery. The songs are more somber than the 1st session.

On the LP, the 1st side ends on "A Child Is Born", the following songs take a very sad and cynical note, Two Lonely People, You Don't Know What Love Is" etc. before ending in a note of hope and redemption, "You Must Believe in Spring".

On this and the other CD, Bennett's voice sounds much different, a bit thicker, a bit more conecntrated, less flourishes. Evans is Evans, he can play a simple chord and it is his uniquely.

This reissue has two new songs, "Who Can I Turn To" and "Dream Dancing" both which are revelations. Evans is especially frisky on Dream Dancing, the lyric has a wonderful humorous nature, similar to "When in Spain" on the 1st one.

It also has alternate takes of almost all the songs, and it is fascinating to see the differences.

The liner notes are wonderful, but there is a bit of disagreement. In the recent Bill Evans biography, the author said that Evans prepared extensively for these sessions. In the notes here, the session was preety much improvised. Where is the truth? Perhaps Tony Bennett knows.

In a recent interview, Bennett says he gets approached all the time about these two releases and is seriously contemplating another CD along these lines. Here, here, I hope he does so. Bill Evans is obviously not around, my vote is for Fred Hersch.

I loved the first Bill Evans and Tony Bennett album, and the bonus tracks and alternate takes on the second one allows you stretch out and get lost in the sound. To my mind, it takes a lot guts to get up there and belt out these songs with only a piano and a voice, much like classical piano and a violin, there's just no where to hide. Evans and Bennett are definitely pro's, and they don't disappoint. Enjoy!