I've been a Sinatra fan ever since I was young, grew up listening to his Capitol vinyls and older Columbia 33s, so when Bennett released his PERFECTLY FRANK I figured, what the heck, I love the songs, I'll buy it. It was my first Bennett recording--- and was I wowed! If the CD had been a vinyl, it would have been worn down in a week! Tony never puts Frankie in the shadows, but his "take" on many, many songs is just as valid, just as deep.... and I never thought I'd be saying this about another singer, especially one who has enough moxie to cover Sinatra. But, bravo, Bennett. Kudos. An infinitely enjoyable CD (for Sinatra fans, or not). And, not only this, the CD timing is quite generous. Sure, I might cavil at the way Bennett covers some of the tunes; but, for the most part, for me, the only better Bennett is his STEPPIN' OUT.

[Running time: 73:49]

This is a wonderful collection of songs closely associated with, Frank Sinatra. Bennett does not emulate Sinatra in the least, and therein lies both the strengths and (minor) problems with the tribute album.

The contrast is interesting, and each vocalist has his own persona, style, and validity-- and metaphors: Frank is brandy, Tony is ice cold beer; Frank's finely tuned, instrument-like voice carefully shapes each word, Tony seems to just enjoy the singing, and he is more the everyman, the colloquial. Frank is seduction and intimacy (mostly from a male dominant stance); Tony is romance and camaraderie, and is both awe-struck and egalitarian. I think that's why on just a few of the songs (most notably, "Night and Day") Bennett's overtly anti-artiste stance does not deliver the suavity, smooth control, and sexual intensity that Sinatra conjures.

However Bennett soars on almost every song, whether it be the swinging "Lady is a Tramp" or his especially tender versions of "I Fall in Love Too Easily" and "I'm Glad There is You". The accompaniment is good, but lighter and not as jazz-inspired as the superb "Bennett/Berlin." Bennett's tribute album is, ultimately, a risk: Even though he makes no attempt to emulate Sinatra, it is still very tempting to compare. It is to Bennett's credit that his versions work so well, so often. In a way, the album makes you appreciate even more the unique talents of each.

Sinatra called Tony Bennett his favorite singer, and this CD beautifully returns the compliment.

The greatest quality of this album is that there's no attempt on Tony's part to sound like or even suggest Sinatra. So if anybody has reservations about one smooth great singer covering another's songs, they can forget it.

Not only does this album celebrate Sinatra, it also celebrates the era's great composers: Sammy Cahn & Jule Styne, Jimmie Van Heusen, Johnny Mercer, Cole Porter, Rodgers & Hart, Dietz & Schwartz, Victor Herbert, the Gershwins.

For those who appreciate the music of the 30's and 40's, of great pop & jazz standards from the time, this album is a must.

One of the previous reviewers said it perfectly -- Tony Bennett is a living national treasure. This album is wonderful not because it seeks to replace Sinatra's classic recordings (that will never happen), but because it shows first of all how Sinatra chose the best songs to record, and secondly, that Bennett's voice is still magic.

The singer wisely focuses on the "torch and saloon" songs of Sinatra, which he delivers and interprets beautifully. It is illuminating to listen to Tony Bennett's versions of Sinatra classics -- One for My Baby, Angel Eyes, Time After Time -- and appreciate how he performs the songs while refusing to imitate Sinatra. The result is pure class, the glowing Tony Bennett and some of the best songs in the American songbook.

Ralph Sharon has been working with Bennett for decades, and it shows: class, taste and restraint.

Very highly recommended for anyone who wants to hear a legendary vocalist and songs that put to shame almost anything written since the 1960s.

How about putting out a disc with 24 songs by America's greatest lyricists of the 20th century? Hey, how about if we make it two dozen songs that Frank Sinatra, the greatest male pop singer of the century, loved and recorded in great performances? And get this: Let's have Tony Bennett, arguably the second-best male pop singer in a hundred years of the recorded music industry, and who was called by Sinatra himself "my favorite singer" do the new versions. Wait, even better---we'll let the Ralph Sharon jazz trio, Tony's favorites for 40 years provide the beat for him. Why stop there? Let's price the darn thing reasonably, as well. Any Sinatra or Tony fan, music history fan, or bargain lover who does not buy this one is cheating him or herself.