No, sorry, that newspaper article just isn't honest. I saw Tony Bennett on stage in 1972. He was masterful and excellent,with phrasing to match Sinatra's at his peak. I loved it. I loved him. I bought the LPs and wore them all out. Sadly though, after that wonderful MTV Unplugged conert (though even then his marvellous voice was starting to fade), the downward spiral is matching that of Sinatra. He shouts now to cover up the lack of ability even to "glide". The tribute to Duke Ellington cited in the piece is arguably the poorest of all of his albums that I know. I listened to it in the car where the notes just can't hide. And I cried. But thanks Tony. You really were one of the Greatest back then. And all the very best from a true fan.
My daughter watches an amateur talent show in the UK, and she's just called me through from here in the study where I'm working to say that Tony Bennett's on, singing live, direct, here and now, in support of the contestants. So I went and watched him. Come on, the guy's 80, but gosh, he was pretty good you know. So much better than in recent times I've seen him, and far, far better than over the last few years - that awful Duke Ellington tribute CD, for example. Tony, so many thanks.
