Customer Reviews

Tony Bennett in the Studio: A Life of Art & Music

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From the picture on the web site, I thought the book was the size of a CD. But, no, it's actually a large book full of paintings by Tony accompanied by interesting text. The enclosed CD includes only six songs, but they are surely among his best - including "Hi Ho", one of my favorites of all time. I've never heard anyone else sing it and after hearing Tony's version, I doubt that many would dare.

A really beautiful book. Besides the lovely paintings, there is a fascinating narrative about Tony Bennett's life - as well as a really nice CD of Tony singing some standards. It's fun just to browse through it also. What a talented man.

This book is not only a product showing the life of Tony Bennett but also showing a link to our history in entertainment. I bought it because I want to be inspired to greatness and I've always love his music but had seen little of his artwork. If there was ever a chance to sit and talk to someone famous, this man is at the top of my list.

Wonderful birthday gift for my husband. Great coffee table book. Who knew Tony was a painter too!!

Tony is an accomplished artist, both in vocal delivery, and and his less known side of painting. It is wonderful to see the total artistry of Tony captured in this book, along with a complimentary vocal CD! The reader understands Tony's artistry more completely and appreciates his significant talent more thoroughly!

"I knew very early that somehow I would sing and draw and paint my whole life." ~ Tony Bennett ~

Published in 2007, "Tony Bennett In The Studio: A Life of Art & Music" is a detailed chronicle of the life of a living legend, Anthony Dominick Benedetto, better known as Tony Bennett. He was born on August 3, 1926 in Long Island, New York, but he grew up in Astoria, Queens. The book allows the readers to take a closer look at his astounding works of art and his remarkable music as well. It contains his brief but interesting biography; reproductions of oil/watercolor paintings, drawings and sketches of musicians, singers, landscapes, still lifes, self-portraits; a discography of singles he recorded (1950 - 2006); a discography of his complete recordings (1952 - 2006); a list of Grammy Awards (1962 - 2005); his special performances for the Presidents of the USA and for the British Royalty in London; his special awards and honors including a "Living Legend Award" given by the Library of Congress on April 2000; and his numerous Art Collection which includes Permanent Museum Collections, Commissioned Paintings, American Cancer Society Holiday Cards (1992-2006) and his Solo Exhibitions (1993 - 2005).

Mr. Bennett is truly an artist with a keen sense of beauty, symmetry and color harmony. It shows on all of his paintings. I cannot single out a favorite from his works of art as they are all eye-catching, but I can mention a few favorite pieces.

San Donato in Poggio
Gondola, Venice
Tuscany
Still Life at the Crow's Landing
Santa Maria della Salute, Venice
Chianti, Italy
New York Still Life (pages 52, 54, 55)
Provence
Castle de Ruffo
Cipriani, Venice
Azaleas
Summer In Central Park
Self-Portrait (page 169)
Duke Ellington, "God Is Love"
Ol' Blue Eyes
Cary Grant
Still Life New York (page 92)
Boo
Holiday In Paris
Gardens at Buckingham Palace
Los Angeles Still Life
Spring In Manhattan
Positano, Italy
Carmel Highlands, California
Still Life, Purple Flowers in Crystal Vase
The Amalfi Coast

The book also comes with a bonus music disc entitled "Pop Art Songs" that contains six songs that Mr. Bennett personally selected which are his special favorites from all of his recordings: "My Ship" (with Ralph Sharon and His Orchestra), Hi-Ho" (arranged by Torrie Zito), "But Beautiful" (with Bill Evans on piano), "The Very Thought of You" (with Bobby Hacket on trumpet), "My Foolish Heart" (with Frank de Vol and His Orchestra) and "It Was Me."

The following quotes are the ones I consider very notable and are all worthy and appropriate to be mentioned in this review. The quotes are from Tony Bennett himself and some are coming from well-known personalities such as Frank Sinatra, Fred Astaire, Cary Grant, former New York Governor Mario Coumo, Mitch Albom who wrote the Foreword, poet Allen Ginsberg and author Robert Sullivan.

FROM TONY BENNETT:

"There's a push and pull with the creative process. That's why I learned never to give up, even if it feels as if it's not happening the first time around. Keep going; keep plowing through it."

"Life is a gift, and we should all cherish it."

"In fact, both singing and music are forms of meditation. People go to the ends of the world to search for calmness. Painting takes time; you're by yourself. You can paint for four hours and it seems like a minute. And in those four hours, you're facing your own story."

"I left Columbia for one reason: They were forcing me to sing contemporary songs, and I just couldn't stand it."

"The Sinatra I met was quite different from the one I had expected. Sinatra was wonderful to me. I asked him, "How do you handle being nervous on stage?" He said, "It's good to be nervous. People like it when you're nervous. It shows you care. If you don't care, why should they? And then he told me to stay away from cheap songs. It was great advice. I've followed it since."

"One night my mother and I were watching Sinatra on TV doing The Main Event at Madison Square Garden. He knew my mother was dying, and he turned to the audience and said that Tony Bennett was his favorite guy in the whole world. My mother's face lit up like a Christmas tree--this image will stay with me as long as I live. This was the kind of small thing that he would do that would make such a big difference."

"The music I made with Stan Getz, Bill Evans--the jazz giants--those were the best records I ever made in my life."

"I searched for songs that will explain what I've learned about life and what I feel about life. And the paintings and drawings are kind of a visual diary."

"I've got to sing. I've got to paint."

"One thing about painting is, the more you paint, the more you realize how beautiful life is. To be alive. How wonderful life is, what a gift we have. That helps you get past the bad times."

"Another thing that painting does: It keeps you real. You're by yourself. It's not a board meeting; it's not eleven guys making a decision. You're alone. When you're at the canvas, you're alone. This is your own story. And when you're painting, you're thinking about your own story. Just you."

FROM ROBERT SULLIVAN:

"Tony moves us. We can hear the words. He doesn't only sing to us; he tells us. He tells us what it all means."

"Tony's personal taste in music is indisputably one of the most refined in the history of popular music."

"What Tony is, is a generous guy with sand in his voice and an ability to communicate his passion--the word that comes up all the time: passion--and who has, by paying attention, learning, improving himself, and going the extra airplane mile, become an American original. A classic. A treasure."

FROM OTHERS:

"He rarely sings a song without telling you who wrote it. He rarely paints a picture without telling you who--or what--inspired it. His willingness to give credit elsewhere is not some phony aw-shucks humility. It is the artist's understanding that his work is part of a timeline of human contribution." ~ Mitch Albom ~

"What gives Tony's music the sweetness, the emotion, and the power that makes it so moving--and what gives his painting the insight and sensibility that are so apparent--is not his throat, or his eye, or all his hard work. It's his heart. And his soul. Tony is a lover of all that is good and beautiful, and that makes him a great singer, painter, and philosopher. More than that it makes him a truly beautiful human being." ~ Mario Cuomo ~

"Well, I like Tony Bennett, Very interesting man." ~ Allen Ginsberg ~

"Look at the song through the composer's eyes. Then look at it again with a new idea." ~ Fred Astaire ~

"Don't do films. It is so boring on a set. You love to sing and paint. Follow your passion; those are your passions. Go travel the world and become the best entertainer. You make people feel great--you're alive, they're alive! Sing! Paint!" ~ Cary Grant ~

I had a wonderful experience reading about Tony Bennett's life story and "strolling down" his beautiful landscapes all over the globe. And I would like to share the experience with you. This is one great art book/coffee table book (212 pages; 10 ¾" x 11 ½" x 1") that I wholeheartedly recommend not only to Tony Bennett's fans, but to all art appreciators.

Art lovers' delight indeed!

One of the best, and your service is always above reproach. Look forward to many enjoyable cool months thanks to the great job by Amazon and company.

Tony Bennett in the Studio: A Life of Art & Music This book exeeded my expectations. The paintings, reviews, and comments by friends reveal a Tony Bennett I had only just glimpsed - he is so much more. I have a new respect for his talents and life. I ordered copies for each of my sisters, artists, who will find it as enjoyable as I have.

Had doubts about the book, but decided to order it anyway. I love it! I learned much about Mr. Bennett. He's one famous person I wouldn't mind meeting. His art is lovely. And the CD is wonderful. I'm so glad I now own his book.

Loved this book! He is so talented in both his music and as an artist. I'd love to get one of his prints.