Growing up in the 60s, Sinatra and Bennett were the kings of sophisticated pop songs with Mathis and Andy Williams nipping at their heels. Sinatra was the most emotional. Mathis and Williams always seemed to be skimming the surface, and for much of the time, so did Tony Bennett. But of the group, he was the best singer, and Frank Sinatra acknowledged that in a personally signed photo he gave Bennett. Growing up in San Francisco, his monster hit--I LEFT MY HEART IN SAN FRANCISCO--was played in practically every saloon in town and it still is. LOVE LOOK AWAY, RAGS TO RICHES, BOULEVARD OF BROKEN DREAMS, BECAUSE OF YOU, FLY ME TO THE MOON, THE BEST IS YET TO COME, FOR ONCE IN MY LIFE(Bennett's effortless top G always tore my own larynx to shreds attempting to imitate him), are bonafide classics. While I always admired the beautiful timbre, the range, and the sheer showbiz pizzaz of his delivery, much of his work was superficial. Or so it seemed.

But this new ESSENTIAL TONY BENNETT has some gems I ignored. Anyone who wants to question Bennett's skills as an intepreter should listen to his performances here of IT AMAZES ME and most importantly, I DO NOT KNOW A DAY I DID NOT LOVE YOU. This Richard Rodgers gem was new to me, and it just knocked me out. I had to play the song four times in a row. Bennett sings both with depth and a world-weary sense of inevitability. Here you'll find outstanding examples of his extraordinary breath control (only Streisand is his equal here). His tuning on the latter song is utterly impeccable and his legato exemplary. But this is only the tip of the iceberg. Two CDs are crammed with great cuts and if you listen really carefully, you'll be staggered too.

Like Sinatra I came to appreciate Bennett's skills a bit late in the day. Bennett spent a lot of years without a recording contract and much of the 70s and 80s he was forgotten. When he was finally rediscovered in the 90s, I took notice. Columbia seems to be creating a series here. I passed on THE ESSENTIAL BARBRA STREISAND because the material is readily available on a number of other sources, but the convenience and the selection are the thing here and THE ESSENTIAL TONY BENNETT is on that same excellent level. More please.

Tony Bennett is one smooth singer. Having been a star, a has been, and a retro-icon, he has known every degree of fame, and deserves all the kudos his recent renaissance has afforded him.
This career review is rightly called "essential". It covers 50 years of Bennett recordings, from Because of You (1951) through his wonderful duet with KD Lang of "Keep The Faith, Baby" (2001). In between these bookmarks are some of the most well-orchestrated songs recorded over the last 50 years.
Tony isn't one to blow you away. He's more quiet ocean breeze than tsunami, and is a master of underdelivery. You don't realize how good he is until you hear a certain phrase or note that simply demands attention.
Disc 2 is incredible,mainly because the standards recorded here are perfect matches for the Bennett voice. "Stepping Out" and "It Don't Mean A Thing (If It Ain't Got That Swing") are two prime examples of what happens when the perfect singer meets the perfect song with the perfect arrangement. It's rare that this happens more than once in a lifetime for a singer. Toss in "I Left My Heart In San Francisco" and Tony hits this benchmark at least three times on this set.
This is sheer enjoyment from start to finish. Buy this recording, and indulge yourself.

My musical tastes range from old standards to Steve Miller Band, The Moody Blues, Alan Parsons Project, and Blue Oyster Cult. Tony Bennet is one of my perrenial favorites, and when I listened to this remastered album I really understood why. Firstly, Tony is happy and loves to sing. He has a fine voice, has great backing musicians, and all his songs are carefully arranged. You may grumble about some aspects of his phrasing, tempo, or delivery, but it all fits together just right - maybe due to Mitch Miller havign produced his early works. What I noticed for the first time was the driving power of many of his songs - like Grace Slick's "White Rabbit", you better hold on to your seat because Tony is going to knock you over. But when you get up you always feel better - his happiness and love of music is contagious. My personal favorite is "Firely" - short, full of energy, and perfectly packaged.

The essential tony bennett,contains,most of tonys best music...I have always been a fan of the old standards...Why today,there are so many of todays singers singing the timeless standards.Tony bennett represents class,and a stanard of musical integrety,that is rarly,captured in todays music...This is a great album to relax with. 5 star rated,and good deal.thank you!! "enjoy"

I am a huge Tony Bennett fan. I especially like his jazz albums and backup groups. Pianist Ralph Sharon so often sets the tone, I cannot imagine Tony without him. There are so many Greatest Hits anthologies out there. Columbia first issued the superb "Jazz" compilation, and the "Forty Years" 4-CD collection. All other anthologies are pointless, especially since his newer material is still widely available. Next, in rapid succession, have come "The Ultimate" and now "The Essential", replicating many tracks. Some of Tony's best albums have yet to be released in their entirety. What about "When Lights are Low," named by biographer Will Friedwald as one of the best jazz vocal albums ever recorded, and "My Heart Sings?" I did manage to find on EBay a Japanese version of "Tony Sings for Two," a duet with Sharon. This superb album has yet to be released stateside. We've only heard bits and pieces on compilation albums.

Come on, Columbia! Why hold out on us?