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Tony Bennett / Bill Evans: The Tony Bennett / Bill Evans Album

By C. Michael Bailey
May 25, 2003
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Tony Bennett / Bill Evans: The Tony Bennett / Bill Evans Album

I suspect it would be rank hyperbole to state that Tony Bennett and Bill Evans were soul mates. No, that would probably be inaccurate. Actually, the two artists had very little in common aside from the fact that they were both jazz musicians. Bennett—a virile, muscular jazz singer with a conservative yet extroverted style—shared few obvious things with Evans, who was painfully shy, introverted, and impressionistic. But that is the beauty of jazz. These two exceptional musicians came together at the top of their game to record one of the most memorable vocal-piano duets committed to vinyl. Their 1975 recording has now gone digital.

Fantasy has dusted off The Tony Bennett / Bill Evans Album and cleaned it up considerably. One listen makes one think how little time has diminished the art of Tony Bennett, best illustrated in the quartet of songs which close the album. "My Foolish Heart" is plaintive and thoughtful. "Waltz for Debbie," an Evans composition with lyrics by Gene Lees, presents an opportunity for Bennett and Evans to become of like mind, settling into one another like scotch and soda. "But Beautiful" reminds the listener immediately why this song has long been an instrumentalist’s vehicle. Finally, "Days of Wine and Roses" could not have been captured more perfectly by anyone else. This is a superb reissue that demands to be heard.

Track Listing

Young And Foolish; The Touch Of Your Lips; Some Other Time; When In Rome; My Foolish Heart; Waltz For Debbie; But Beautiful; Days Of Wine And Roses.

Personnel

Bill Evans

piano

Tony Bennett

Album information

Title: The Tony Bennett / Bill Evans Album | Year Released: 2003 | Record Label: Fantasy Jazz

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