Tony Bennett, one of the world's greatest entertainers was singing this song in London once and as he crooned the words "If I Ruled The World", coronet player extraordinaire Bobby Hackett leaned to him and whispered, "What do you mean, 'IF'?" That should sum it all up. The fact that most of Tony's albums are still not released on CD is unbelieveable, but he owns all the rights to his massive works, and we music lovers are at his mercy. Hoping that he will know how the masses are clamoring for more CDs just like this. Classic LPs in the compact disc format, remastered wonderfully and complete reproduction of the original artwork and liner notes. Tony's "Fly Me To The Moon" is a "universe" away from Sinatra and Basie's stomp of it; but equally as definitive as a ballad from Tony, presented here with the oft-skipped verse and piano intro by long time Bennett arranger/pianist Ralph Sharon. Broadway tunes are not ignored on this package; a glowing walk through as a ballad on "Take The Moment" before giving way to a light swing tempo and finishing off in grand style, and the superb bonus track featuring Ralph Sharon's trio and Tony swinging their way through (verse and all) the classic "Falling In Love With Love". Other swinging arrangements from the masterful Don Costa include Duke Ellington's "Love Scene", and a very special reading of the Nat "King Cole" staple, "Sweet Lorraine" with superb ukele and coronet solos. The ballads, Peggy Lee and Cy Coleman's "Then Was Then And Now Is Now" is stunning; "All My Tomorrows" is Tony and Ralph at their wistful best, and "The Right To Love" is absolutely gorgeous. This leaves only the title track, "If I Ruled The World". Don Costa's royal arrangement is perfect for Tony's perfect phrasing and impeccable vocal here. It stands as, in my humble opinion, THE definitive reading of this song to date. I don't know if Tony Bennett rules the world, but I do know he makes it a better place to live in every time his music is played.

I usually prefel Tony Bennett(or any singer for that matter) in a more jazz oriented seting, however this CD re-issues the original LP(including LP cover art work) "Songs For The Jet Set." With arrangements by Sinatra's regular arranger Don Costa(though he's no Nelson Roddle or Billie May, heck he aint even a Ralph Burns)this set is very similar to Sinatra's own "Come Fly With Me." Bennett takes us from Rio to Harlem. There is a lot of Bossa Nova here, and Al Cohn provides some jazz playing where needed, and it comes in handy on a lot of the Bossa Nova numbers. There is a spectaculer version of Duke Ellington's "Love Song." With all this, it may not be an essential recording, but it certianly is enjoyable.

On each hearing, my already considerable respect for Tony Bennet grows. This album just heightens that. It is a masterpiece.

The quality of the transfer from LP is great but that wouldn't matter if the songs or the singing were mediocre. Neither are. Bennett swings through these pieces with his easy style bring joy and sometimes a tear. "All My Tomorrows" in particular needs to be singled out for attention. It is sung with the tenderness needed by the lyric but also contains a bit of forcefulness as if it will not be denied. This is the work of a true artist.

This album, which places Tony Bennett in a number of different settings and tempos, is, I think, one of his very best. As a singer, he's at the point in his career here (mid-1960s) where he has the ability to do anything he wants with his voice and the material, and he's not afraid or bashful to try new ideas. There are two bossa novas included, with HOW INSENSITIVE getting a great treatment (up to where the choral group enters, anyway). IF I RULED THE WORLD was a big hit for Bennett, which also has an excellent piano solo by Ralph Sharon. LOVE SCENE by Duke Ellington is a medium-tempo swinger, with the Don Costa band sounding more like Basie than the Duke. THEN WAS THEN AND NOW IS NOW is a marvelous Peggy Lee-Cy Coleman tune, haunting in every respect, as so many Cy Coleman songs are. Perhaps best of all is the version of SWEET LORRAINE Tony does with Joe Marsala on clarinet and Bobby Hackett on ukulele, as relaxed a performance as you'll ever hear. And ALL MY TOMORROWS, a slow, plaintive ballad, is the kind of song Bennett does perfectly, accompanied by the Ralph Sharon Trio: it's a signature piece for him. It's also great to hear tenor saxophonist Al Cohn pop out on a handful of tracks and contribute lovely obbligatos - icing on the cake. This is a great CD - a must-have for Bennett (and all vocal) fans.

I just ordered this and, I have to say, it is one of the best Tony Bennett recordings that I've ever heard. You can't go wrong with this one. Relax and enjoy!