Customer Reviews

A Wonderful World

5 star:		(58)
4 star:		(10)
3 star:		(6)
2 star:		(4)
1 star:		(3)

 

 

Since his return to Columbia Records in the 1980s, Tony Bennett has released albums of the best quality...this is one of the best from his already awe-inspiring catalog.

To give equal credit, kd lang has one of the best voices in American music...the combination of their voices is magical.

There is almost no hint of the vocal decline in Bennett's voice that I had been noticing in his most recent albums, such as the Billie Holiday tribute. He sounds to me almost 15 years younger.

Louis Armstrong was a good friend of Tony Bennett's, and I'm confident that Armstrong would be most flattered by the tribute on this album.

This album proves that Tony Bennett, more than anybody else, is keeping the Great American songbook alive and relevant.

I only wish it were longer...it's just 43 minutes. If Sony and the other companies keep raising prices, the consumer deserves a longer product. But at least with a compact disc player you can hit repeat...which I guarantee you will do with this album.

I've listened to hundreds of discs this year, and I'd have to say that this is perhaps the best...a true recording highlight for 2002. This is what sound recording should be all about.

Tony Bennett sounds on this album as good as he sounded twenty years ago. The slightly cracked quality in his voice remains, but he struggles less with long notes than on his most recent albums. In particular, this album is a massive leap forward from the eclectic showboating of Playin' With My Friends.

It has long been a mystery to Bennett fans why Mr B did not do a full album with k.d. lang much sooner - their voices blend together so perfectly.

Here, Tony Bennett is paying tribute to a man he cares about - Louis Armstrong. He is singing material that he empathises with - no modern concessions. The arrangements on the album are superb - and hint back to his best work of the 1960s.

In short this is an album by an artist, who, whilst no longer at the peak of his powers, is still able to deliver a fine performance when focused on the material. He finds that focus on this splendid album.

Louis Armstrong is my favorite instrumentalist AND vocalist of all time. So, we have Tony Bennett (the best old style jazz singer still kicking) and K.D. Lang...well, what do you say about K.D. Lang? Just the best voice in so-called country and easily one of the top four vocalists in jazz (with Cassandra Wilson, Diane Reeves and Diana Krall). Now we have these premier singers doing Louie songs. How about that cover of "Exactly Like You". Oh man. I listened to that one four times before I went on the rest of the album. Every song is exquisite. "What a Wonderful World" is my numero uno song on the hit parade of all songs ever written. What a great cover. And dig that cover of "Lucky Old Sun". Whoa. I had to go through that one three times before moving on to "If We Never Meet Again".

So on my fifth listening to this CD, I'd say T-Bone hit another one out of the park...

Since returning to the Columbia roster in the mid-80's, Tony Bennett has made a number of superb albums...and this new one is no exception. Thankfully, he has brought the gifted k.d.lang along for the ride in a collection of songs associated in one way or another with the great Satchmo.

The superb orchestrations were penned by the legendary arranger Peter Matz (presumably his final project before his death this past August).

Both singers are in excellent voice here, and blend well together - Tony continues to enthrall listeners, even at 75 years young, and k.d. demonstrates that she has the voice to handle the great pop standards. She should make a standards album on her own in the near future.

k. d. lang has always had a gorgeous voice, but it was kind of hard to pay attention to her sounds when she was cavorting around in silly outfits and generally playing the clown. Now that she's past that era and is allowing her voice to illustrate just who she is and what she brings to the table, she's better than ever. With a voice that on one track sounds the way velvet feels ("What a Wonderful World") and on another is as refreshing as shaved ice with raspberry flavoring on a summer afternoon ("Exactly Like You") she is a perfect compliment to the great Tony, who isn't anywhere close to losing his chops. He still sings like a dream. The two bring humor and heart and peerless talent to the well-chosen selections on this CD--including some of my all-time favorites: "A Kiss to Build a Dream on," "You Can Depend on Me," and "That Lucky Old Sun." When two great singers team up, and you've got a phenomenal tenor sax man like Scott Hamilton dropping by to help out as a sideman, with orchestrations and conducting by Peter Matz, you just can't ask for more. But more would be wonderful--maybe another half dozen collections.
Most highly recommended.

This album is the natural culmination of the Tony Bennett-k.d. lang pairing that we first heard back on Tony's "MTV Unplugged" album. On that cd, Tony introduced k.d. by calling her one of the greatest girl singers; on this cd, she proves him absolutely right.
She is, quite simply, sublime. Listen to her rendition of "Lucky Old Sun" and you won't need to hear any superlatives from me to understand. k.d. is the best female voice around, and a pairing with the best male voice still around after fifty years is simply heaven.
Their voices are perfect together, and the unobtrusive jazz arrangements are the ideal showcase for these two. I've always been in love with Tony Bennett (in fact, what can I say in this review except that he is wonderful as usual?), but it wasn't until this album that I fell in love with the artistry of k.d. lang as well.
It was once said of Fred Astaire that he reminded people that the world was good. The same can be said for these two.

He inspires her to explore more subtlety in tone and phrasing; she inspires him to discard the "grand finale" excess he tacks on to the last verse of most performances. Together, they are simply sublime. Not since the days of Ella and Louis has there been a pairing this unexpectedly perfect. From beginning to end, this is a late career masterpiece for Bennett, and a milestone for k.d. lang. The arrangements and production are intimate, elegant, and exquisite.

Ever since I "stole" a mini 33 album from my older sister, I've loved Tony Bennett's voice. It's not perfect, but it has an appeal for me. Plus, he's one of the few who still sing pop music. (But that's not to negate him as a wonderful cabaret/jazz singer). I saw him perform about a month ago here in Albuquerque & it was a great show. He is (according to him) 76 years old and going strong.
One of the most endearing aspects of Tony Bennett is his sincere accolades to other performers, including the musicians who back him up or accompany him. Such it is with k.d. lang. I've never been a fan of hers (and can't say that I would ever buy any of her solo CDs), but have always appreciated their duets & knew how much Tony respected & admired her talent. So this CD makes perfect sense. It's a great blending of two talented singers. I have a new appreciation for k.d. She has a good delivery & feel for music. Of course, I buy any new Tony Bennett CD unheard, as I did this one. Perfect timing for release: it's helped me to complete my Christmas list!

Here's a tribute to the great Louis Armstrong by two of the best popular singers working today. Though seperated by more than a few years of age, Bennett and lang sing together as if they have been doing so for a few decades instead of a few years. Tony sounds remarkable and Ms. lang is a joy. The arrangements are wonderful (listen to the horn on "Confessin' That I Love You" and hear what tasteful playing sounds like.) Brilliantly produced and sung, this CD is an instant classic, one you'll be playing years from now, and smiling all the while. Buy this one and pick up a few more for seasonal gifts. Anyone with ears and a penchant for popular song will love it!

It has been so long since I heard something new that made me feel as giddy and happy as this cd! It is absolutely beautiful, kd and Tony are perfect together and one of the best things about both of those singers is that yes, they are powerhouse singers, but they can reign it in - none of that 'Star Search' screeching just to prove they can. And, when they come together, they do NOT try to outdo each other like so many other singers will do in duets - it was like they were both born to do this (although Tony had to wait awhile!).
Additionally, I would call myself a hardcore kd fan - have bought every album they day it came out since Shadowland, have had the pleasure of seeing her live 5 times and this is BY FAR her best effort. Kd has an awesome voice and I have been blown away many times by her, but I have never heard her voice sound so PRETTY, yes, pretty. Sends shivers up and down your spine. I could gush all day long, but I will end with the note that T Bone Burnett produced this cd and that (almosssssst always) guarantees quality sound. The "quality" and clarity of this disk is excellent and anyone who is a fan of kd and/or Tony Bennett, jazz, or just great music should add this to their collection as soon as possible!