Customer Reviews

Tony Bennett & Bill Evans Album

5 star:		(13)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

When Tony Bennett recorded with Bill Evans, his career was at its nadir. He had lost his contract with Columbia and couldn't find work. Evans was of course still considered a Jazz genius, but 1973 wasn't a good time even for jazz geniuses. Why they ended up in the studio together is a mystery, but the outcome is pure magic.

Bennett was taking a huge chance. There was no orchestra to hide behind, and no pop arrangement to lean on - just the extremely musical but complex Evans playing as he sang. He could have been exposed as just another pop singer, and the chemistry with Evans, who rarely ever accompanied anyone, could have been horrible. But he pulls it off with aplomb!

There is so much richness in the whole album. For example, in "Young and Foolish", Evans forshadows melodic lines that Bennett will be singing as he plays beneath Bennett. The lushness of Bennett's voice is the perfect foil to Evans' harmonic intensity.

The irony is that Bennett, who had never been known as a jazz singer before, becomes known as one, probably on the basis of this album alone; yet, he didn't get back into the studio again for years. And of course for Evans, this album is yet further example of his genius. This is a classic.

I cannot think of a strong enough way to describe how important
and eternal this album is, and I'm sure many others have given great
reviews of this and the original CD issues of it.
This new version sounds perfect, and has wonderful alternate takes,
including a version of "Young And Foolish" which includes the opening
verse (not on the original released take). Also includes new liner notes and additional photos.

I was working in a Santa Monica restaurant in 1995 where Ross Tompkins played piano a couple of nights a week. He turned me on to this magical album. Every time I listen to it, it touches a different part of my heart. The aching simplicity of "Some Other Time" and the melodic complexities of "Young and Foolish" never let me down.

The day Frank Sinatra died, I was walking down the street in Monterey, California, when I was asked by a TV news crew what I thought of Frank Sinatra. Without blinking, I said that I thought he was an overrated singer, and that Tony Bennett was the man. They then shoved the microphone in front of one of my traveling companions, a charming woman who gushed out, "Old Blue Eyes!" You can probably guess which of us actually appeared on the news that night.

But yes, Tony is the man, and Bill Evans is certainly a worthy musical partner. Apart from an occasional thump coming through the subwoofer, the sound is clean and clear.

I'm listening to my mp3 player as I start this. There are probably 6000 tracks all set to random play and as I typed the first words, on came 'We'll be together again" from this marvellous album. The intimacy of this recording is enchanting. Bennett's voice is not perfect, there are gravelly spots and a little stress in some of the upper registers, but this only adds to the feeling of authenticity. Evan's delicate chord work is is the perfect accompaniement. Never intrusive, always subtle and complimenting the vocals with soft yet complex melodic lines. On a good system they are playing in your room and the chemistry is so magical it will keep you in your chair until the last note fades into darkness. This should be in every music lover's collection, something to treasure and spin on a winters night with the fire burning and glass of scotch nestling in your lap.

this is the first Tony Bennet CD I own, and I belive is worth having among my collection. I'm a big fan of Bill Evans and that is what attracted me from this CD. He plays exquisitely. Add the talent of legend Bennet and you have truly a masterpiece.

Excellent CD. We were watching a special on Tony Bennett, and my husband really enjoyed the calaboration between the two.

In the same way as I never expected the Johnny Hartmann/John Coltrane album to work, neither did I expect this too. Of course I was wrong in both cases.

Tony Bennett has often been thought of as a sub-Sinatra singer, who was a middle road singer without Sinatra gifts. Well on this album and I'm sure on many others he shows the true nature of his talents. A gifted song interpretor who here with Bill Evans at the Piano produces a marvellous performance. Evans of course makes his own unique contribution to the recording. The most important modern Jazz Pianist of the 50's and 60's, here gets a chance to show is skills as an accompanist, as well as playing some lovely solos. This also gives you the chance to hear a lovely version of Bill Evans most famous composition 'Waltz for Debby'.

The recording is a duet, so there is no bass and drums, which only highlights the great talents of these two artists. The fact that they work together so well is a tribute to them, and more importantly it gives die-hard Jazz fans a chance to appreciate a vastly under-rated singer and easy-listening fans a chance to understand why Bill Evans is rated so highly.

How can it get much better? Tony Bennett's wonderful voice with Bill Evans wonderful piano playing, they are so smooth together and it's wonderful to listen to.

I had reviewed the original CD of this with the 9 tracks, ending in "The Days Of Wine & Roses". The extra 5 alternate takes are the reason for this review. They are incredible, although the songs are from the original, they are of as high quality as the originals. In particular, adding the verse to "Young and Foolish" adds so much to this track. If any more alternate takes surface from thes sessions, I am sure they will be just as good.

I was looking at the reviews on both CDs. Several people see Bennett as being in relatively poor voice on these CDs. I look at it differently. I see this CD as Bennett doing something totally different than he ever did. New challenge, different voice.

BTW, I have criticized Bennett for his lack of truly great recordings vis-a-vis Sinatra. This one stands next to, or above anything Frank has done. There is something very special about a vocalist backed only by one instrument. Unless I am mistaken, Sinatra never did a duet album with a musician, his "Duets" were with other vocalists and with a backing band. Sammy Davis did an incredible duet album with Laurindo Almeida.

Makes you wish Tony would do another CD of this genre, Bill Mays and Fred hersch would be ideal for it.