Track Listing

1. Young and Foolish
2. Touch of Your Lips
3. Some Other Time - Chris Bennett, Bill Evans
4. When in Rome
5. We'll Be Together Again
6. My Foolish Heart - Chris Bennett, Bill Evans
7. Waltz for Debby
8. But Beautiful
9. Days of Wine and Roses

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #98577 in Music
• Released on: 1991-07-01
• Number of discs: 1

Amazon.com
Mel Torme dismissed Tony Bennett's skills as a jazz singer, and in mining the Great American Songbook, Bennett certainly has drawn more from bel canto style than scat. But as this remarkable 1975 duo album with the great jazz pianist Bill Evans demonstrates, Bennett was (and is) supremely comfortable with jazz and jazz players. Pouring himself into tunes including "My Foolish Heart" and "The Touch of Your Lips," but without the theatrical and pop-operatic flourishes that define and enrich his later work, he delivers what may be his most powerfully direct performance on record. His bold emotion and Evans’ refined but forceful lyricism make for an excellent fit (the album includes Evans's classic "Waltz for Debby," with lyrics by Gene Lees). The new expanded edition of The Tony Bennett/Bill Evans Album boasts four valuable alternate takes that reveal the jazz improviser's art was far from lost on Bennett. The artists re-teamed a year later to fine, if less startling, effect on "Together Again." --Lloyd Sachs

Customer Reviews

Two giants together
(On Fantasy) A gem from 1975, and a warm and surprisingly rich album. It's such a treat to hear Bill Evans' thoughtful accompaniment behind Bennett, as just the two of them (and no echo!) take on "Some Other Time", The Touch of Your Lips", "Some Other Time", "Young and Foolish", Waltz For Debby" and others. For those familiar with Evans' other versions of these staples from his song book, its fascinating to hear these with what he does behind Tony Bennett, who never sounded warmer and more expressive. The choices of tunes reflects a lyrical bonanza of rich standards, and the two artists come through in a timely and intimate fashion.Even DOWNBEAT gave it 5 stars when it was released. Fans of this album would probably also want to check out "Together Again"-- the second Evans session with Tony Bennett. Originally recorded for Bennett's long defunct Improv label, it's been re- released on Rhino Records with many bonus tracks and alternate takes. It's not as effective as THIS album, but it works well.

One of the most romantic jazz albums ever recorded
My father introduced me to Bill Evans' music when I was a youngster. Many years later, after his death, I was sorting through the "cob web bin" in the local public library and I found this album - on cassette. I'd heard of it but never had the chance to listen to it before. I checked it out and was floored. This was released when I was a senior in high school. By that time my father and I weren't communicating very well...

To make a long story short, listening to this album brought back so many memories of Dad that I just had to buy it for myself. The songs themselves are all wonderful, recorded with a "you are there" intimacy (listen for Tony clearing his throat mid-phrase on 'When in Rome'). Bill, as usual, could evoke beautiful sounds just by looking at a key board.

Think of the most romantic setting possible with your loved one. Adding this album can only improve it. 'Young and Foolish', 'The Touch of Your Lips' and 'Waltz for Debbie' are the best of the lot, in my opinion, but all of them are delicious.

Oh, the Good Life!
I grew up listening to Tony Bennett (on a little radio--tuned to a.m. of course-- in my grandmother's kitchen) and the only thing that could make him any better is the pairing with brilliant pianist, Bill Evans. These songs, recorded in June of 1975, do exactly what they're supposed to do; exactly what they're designed to do. Evans's piano and Bennett's voice create the perfect marriage of harmony and sophisitication. "Waltz for Debby"--a well-known Evans tune--is masterfully handled; of course all the tracks are. This is perfect cocktail music, but it transcends all categorization. Sometimes when I listen to it I feel like I'm in a Scorsese flick. Other times I feel like I'm right in the studio when the songs were being lain down. Sometimes I feel like I'm back in my grandmother's kitchen.