Bennett breathes new life into Berlin

Press, 22 July 1988, Page 22

Bennett breathes new life into Berlin

TONY BENNETT “Bennett/Berlin” (CBS 4604501). Tony Bennett describes Irving Berlin as "... the heart and soul of American song.”. This 1987 release is Bennett’s tribute to Berlin,, who recently celebrated his one-hun-dredth birthday. ,\- Never content to. rest on his laurels, ; Bennett is. an artist who has continued to grow! in musicl istature ; over .the years. . Here he receives stimulating support from the'Ralph Shannon Trio as well asDexter Gordon, Dizzy Gillespie and George Benson .on selected: tracks, ? j \ ; Bennett’s voice may have become ■' slightly huskier, but in a? wide variety of very' tasteful settings his ability' to get inside a lyric really shines ! ■ forth and he breathes? new; life into material which : has almost become part of the furniture. ""-'"J- • Bennett sings with moving sensitivity on “White Christmas," "Now It Can Be Told” and ’‘When I Lost You,” and with ini-- , mense enjoyment many of the other tracks including "They Say, It’s Wondbr-. ful,” “Let Yourself Go” : and. “Shakin’ The Blues Away,” He gives atour de force treatment of “Let’s Face The Music And-

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Dance,” where he receives inspiring accompaniment from the pianist, Ralph Sharon. < Bennett also shows ah < - impish sense of fun by whistling . a few • bars : of; ? “Isn’t This A Lovely Day”. ;and I - am certainly: not sure whether it is Bennett or Benson doing a Bensonesque closing chorus on “Cheek to Cheek.” ? This is a truly delightful Tribute by one master to another. - GARY NICOL » •'< -' K '■ ' : ’I- ■ ''

ERROLL GARNER ' “Concert By The Sea” (Columbia CJ40589X What more can be said about- an LP which has : earned a place .on the - “New York Times” all- . time best jazz album list? Recorded live at Carmel, California on September 19, 1955, this legendary album has how. . been digitally remastered , and re-released as part of : the very worth-while Col- : umbia Jazz Masterpieces

series which also includes classic works by Duke Ellington, Billie Holiday, Thelonious Monk, Louis Armstrong, Miles Davis, Charles Mingus, and Dave Brubeck. Erroll Garner was a phenomenon. Unable to read music and needing a bulky Telephone directory in order to add height to the piano ' stool, Garner . developed ~'a/ distinctive; romantic piano style which 1 was essentially or- ; ,chestral. : He created a dynamic rich tapestry of sound by using a powerful two-handed attack. which usually 6 built towards, great : crescendos. His warmth, humour and tireless energy, were infec- . tious. : ■ '' - In company with Eddie Calhoun (bass) and Denzil ; :• Best (drums) Gamer pulls. : out - all •of the stops and romps-, through a programme of mainly stand- . ard material including. /‘l’ll j Remember April,” “It’s All Right With Me,” and ,“Teach Me Tonight.” Terhaps the highlight is a rhapsodic, treatment of ' “Autumn leaves,” ■ which features a ; long teasing introduction and fully demonstrates Gamer’s great? melodic gifts. This ■is inspired, timeless anil beautiful music. ,■ C . •!-:. -GARY NICOL