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Tony Bennett: Sings Ellington Hot And Cool
ByThe Ellington Canon Bennett mixes it up with well-represented pieces (“Sophisticated Lady”, “Prelude To A Kiss”) and those not so well represented (“Azure”, “Day Dream”). Arrangers Ralph Burns and Jorge Calandrelli cloth all of these pieces in appropriate settings: rhythm section alone, rhythm section with strings, big band, all to great effect. Bennett’s instrument is in mature fine form. He caresses and croons, sings and cries out in joy. It is with obvious joy that he sings this Ellingtonia, taking the blandest lyrics and making them sound as if written by Keats.
Gary Sargent’s guitar looms large on the sonic landscape, showing up in several solos. Wynton Marsalis shows up out of his busy schedule to provide some succinct soloing. Al Gray’s trombone and Joel Smirnoff’s violin also make serious contributions. But the leader of the band is Bennett. Classy, urbane, gentle, Bennett is today the finest male singer. Bravo.
Track Listing
Do Nothin Till You Hear from Me Bob Russell; Mood Indigo Barney Bigard Irving Mills; Shes Got It Bad And That Aint Good Paul Francis Webster; Caravan Mills Juan Tizol; Chelsea Bridge Billy Strayhorn; Azure Mills; Im Just a Lucky SoandSo David; In a Sentimental Mood Manny Kurtz Mills; Dont Get Around Much Anymore Russell; Sophisticated Lady Mills Parish; In a Mellow Tone Milt Gabler; Day Dream John La Touche Billy Strayhorn; Prelude to a Kiss Gordon Mills; It Dont Mean a Thing If It Aint Got That Swing Mills.
Personnel
Tony Bennett
vocalsGray Sargent
guitarAl Grey
tromboneWynton Marsalis
trumpetJoel Smirnoff
violinRalph Sharon
pianoPaul Langosch
bassClayton Cameron
drumsRalph Burns
composer / conductorJorge Calandrelli
arrangerJesse Levy
arrangerDon DeVito
arrangerJosh Cheuse
arrangerRob Murphy
arrangerJason Groucott
arrangerFrank Harkins
arrangerJoel Moss
arrangerDanny Bennett
arrangerAlbum information
Title: Sings Ellington Hot And Cool | Year Released: 2000 | Record Label: Columbia Records
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