Playin' with My Friends: Bennett Sings the Blues

Tony Bennett

Product Details

• Audio CD (November 6, 2001)
• Original Release Date: November 6, 2001
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Sony
• ASIN: B00005QVV2
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars See all reviews (44 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #17,240 in Music (See Bestsellers in Music)

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  Music > Broadway & Vocalists > Classic Vocalists

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com
Tony Bennett's commercial renaissance of the 1980s and '90s was aided by a string of albums that communicated his essential values while providing conceptual rings (Sinatra, Astaire, women singers) for record buyers to grasp. Playin' with My Friends links duets with an assortment of marquee artists to a set of blues and blues-influenced standards. While Bennett is no Joe Turner or Bobby Bland, his upbeat style melds well with that of most of his guests. He achieves the proper level of brio on "Let the Good Times Roll" with B.B. King and sits in spiritedly with Stevie Wonder ("Everyday [I Have the Blues]") and Ray Charles (a moaning "Evenin'" that's the standout cut). In fact, it's the visitors, not the host, who occasionally misfire: Sheryl Crow sounds unsure of her putative pain on "Good Morning, Heartache," while Natalie Cole is simply too glib to make for a convincing "Stormy Weather." Still, Bennett, his small band, and the best of these cameos make Playin' more than just another series of superstar walk-ons. --Rickey Wright

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

48 of 49 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Tasteful and at his prime, November 27, 2001

By	Joshua Dressler (Columbus, Ohio United States) - See all my reviews

I have listened to EVERY Tony Bennett album/cd he has ever done over the years, so needless to say I am a fan. But, I cannot express how amazingly good this CD (album, for people from my era) is. I truly think it is Bennett's best. He is at his prime.

Every song on the CD is excellent, all jazz, all done tastefully, and his selection of "friends" only adds to the pleasure of the CD. I especially liked Sheryl Crow and B.B. King, but everyone -- Diana Krall, Ray Charles, Bonnie Raitt, k.d. lang, Kay Starr, Billy Joel, and Natalie Cole worked smoothly and well with TB.

I cannot imagine anyone who likes Tony Bennett's sound who will not find this listening experience truly wonderful. And, i would expect that some who are not his fans will finally see why so many of us think of him as one of the greatest singers of the past five decades.

19 of 19 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Hey- it worked pretty well for Sinatra and B.B. King!, December 16, 2001

By	Shaz "oi-you!" (Naples, FL USA) - See all my reviews (TOP 1000 REVIEWER)

I love Tony Bennett- he's talented without being a megalomaniac (unlike Frank Sinatra). "Playin With My Friends" brings Tony together with the likes of Billy Joel, B.B. King, Bonnie Raitt, Stevie Wonder, Sheryl Crow and Ray Charles. Tony and Diana Krall have a wonderful sound together on the first track "Alright, Okay, You Win". The most enjoyable factor of these types of CD's is hearing younger artists truly showcase their talents through older songs. It seems more and more kids are warming up to music from several generations ago simply because they recognize newer vocalists on the album. Overall, an entirely scrumptious and delectable CD for evenings in or dinner parties.

16 of 16 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Still going strong, still greatly versatile, August 19, 2002

By	Neal C. Reynolds (Indianapolis, Indiana) - See all my reviews (TOP 500 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)

I never truly considered Tony Bennett one of the great singers of the late 40's and the 50's, and have become amazed at his longevity as a performer and at his continuing popularity.

All this is well earned, as this CD shows. He maintains an upbeat style and while it's wonderful to hear him with a veteran such as Kay Starr on "Blue and Sentimental", he is still a good match for such gals as Diana Krall, Sheryl Crow, and Bonnie Raitt.

Most outstanding, though, in my mind is "New York State of Mind", a great duet with Billy Joel. And for real low down blues, "Evenin'" with Ray Charles can't be beat. Another master blues musician, B. B. King, really backs Tony up, and easily shares the spotlight on "Let The Good Times Roll".

This is good blues, although with the Tony Bennett upbeat interpretation, it isn't always at its most soulful...often a blending of Bennett's smooth and upbeat voice with generally soulful vocal or instrumental accpaniment from the great guest stars.