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Dan Leemon's avatar

This is a terrific playlist -- and thanks for focusing on his jazz work, which I believe is his best. YouTube has videos from his Diana Krall collaboration in 2018 which are a delight to watch/listen to. Then there's the Bill Evans "Some Other Time"....so much to choose from. What a legacy.

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Rosemary Orlandi's avatar

I have always felt the same way about Amy Winehouse; what tragedy!

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George Neidorf's avatar

Unfortunately, she never figured out of is she was Billie Holiday or Dinah Washington in the same song.

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KR's avatar

Very good point. I always wonder - does this kind of mannerism feel like a send-up or homage? Maybe both; schizoid in many ways. But a set of pipes and immense charisma.

I read about this session and TB's home was clearly the studio and he managed it expertly.

Poor kid.

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Mark Ohm's avatar

In this video you can see Tony working to calm her down and soothe her nerves. https://youtu.be/QCIrtOR0aKc?t=220

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George Neidorf's avatar

Yes, I've seen that.

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Rosemary Orlandi's avatar

She was young, given time she would have developed skill and style.; she also was an up and coming blues singer.

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Richard Bravman's avatar

You’re a treasure,and treasure finder, Ted. Thank you!

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Darrell A. Harris's avatar

Be still, by racing heart. I swoon, here . . . thank you! Thank You!! THANK YOU!!!

Rare is the successful pop singer in whom the Jazz world finds one of their own. I recall the book, “Why Sinatra Matters.” It was obvious why The Chairman MATTERED to most of the world - but why did he matter to the Jazz world? And he did matter, as did and does, Brother Benedetto. Again, I thank you for this lovingly - seeming near sacramentally - curated play list.

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Bern's avatar

Thank you again Ted. I sang a couple of his signature tunes in the club last night. No one cared except me and Aaron, the pianist, and Dick, another fan. So it goes...

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Caso's avatar

Don't forget The Beat Of My Heart album (1957), which includes the great drummers Chico Hamilton, Jo Jones, Billy Exiner, Art Blakey, Candido Camero and Sabu Martinez

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Yuri Bezmenov's avatar

Amazing playlist. Thanks for putting it together, Ted. Also recommend his duet with Lady Gaga: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xyTa_gJkYwI

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Mercia52's avatar

I would also like to recommend Tony Bennett's collaboration with KD Lang. Two perfectly matched voices. doing standards.

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Michael Lattanzio's avatar

This tribute to our beloved Tony Bennett was very inspiring and left an impression on me . I grew up and live in Astoria where he was born and raised. I heard the stories of the limousine picking him up from his home. Would I be asking too much if the city of New York erect a bronze statue of Tony Bennett in Astoria park facing Manhattan.

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Jim Trageser's avatar

Bennett's two albums with Basie are sublime. I got to interview him a dozen years ago because I told his assistant I wanted to talk Basie and not Lady Gaga. He said the Roulette side was recorded at about 2 in the morning, because it was the one time their touring paths crossed in New York. Said it was the best rhythm section he ever had behind him.

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Nathaniel Segal's avatar

Some great tracks here, the first Evans/Bennett album is incredible and is what got me to look at Tony in a different way. Already respected his life story and talent and as a SF Giants fan how couldn't I love him? But Evans/Bennett is a whole other thing. On a tangent-anyone familiar with Andy Bey? His take on standards starting in 1996 with Ballads, Blues and Bey is incredible (relates I think to the Evans/Bennett sound), I've never heard anything like it in a modern setting (all the way to 2013's The World of Andy Bey and 2014's Pages From an Imaginary Life). Was lucky enough to see him live more than once in NYC in the 2010's, no other live Jazz singer has even come close. Back to Tony...RIP Tony!

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Thomas Parker's avatar

And Tony Bennett did my favorite Christmas LP ever, Snowfall. It's the first album I listen to every year when the season comes around.

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C.L. Steiner's avatar

Thanks for this list, Ted. I’ve always loved the albums with Bill Evans, and Bennett’s collaborations with Count Basie, but there’s much here I haven’t heard. Looking forward to listening over the next few days and into the future!

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Suzanne Ledwith's avatar

In the video of Tony and Amy, Amy Winehouse’s facial expression says it all about how wonderful Tony Bennett must have been to work with.

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The Symphony's avatar

I admittedly don't know much about Tony Bennett, but really loved hearing some of his songs through your tribute. I can imagine hearing some of these with the crackling vinyl would give them a cherry on top feeling. I didn't know he did a duet with Amy Winehouse. She was a favorite of mine many years ago; I was so sad about her death. She had so many more decades of beautiful music ahead of her. Thanks for including it.

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Carol Shetler's avatar

Many thanks for this compilation. I'll hunt up a few and listen deeply.

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