Tony Bennett’s performance at the Hippodrome last night was awesome. Sure, some of this review is coming from someone who can be considered a fanboy of sorts, but it was a really good show. Tony performed many of the hits from the Great American Songbook, as only he interprets them. The crowd was a really good one, and my seats were awesome. As it was my first time at the Hippodrome, I was thoroughly impressed. The theater is visually pleasing both inside and out, and the seating is somewhat intimate. My seats were just off the aisle in row M, so I was but 13 rows back from the stage–a really good place to be.
He performed many of his standards–I Left My Heat in San Francisco, Because of You, The Good Life, and Steppin’ Out with My Baby. He also sung the first song he has written to the music of Django Reinhardt–All for You. It was really a good performance, and the four musicians behind him were quite good.
If you have never seen Tony Bennett live, go find a way to do so. My tastes in music can occasionally be old-fashioned, but there are but a few performers left of Tony’s ilk. Besides, he is approaching his 80th birthday, so who knows how long we have left to enjoy his talents. To me, Tony Bennett is one of those artists you must see before you die.
A Tony Bennet fan under 40, phew, this doesn’t make me feel so bad about my Sinatra addiction.
Rachael, you apparently have no idea how fond I am of Frank Sinatra as well. I tend to dig the old crooners: Sinatra, Dino, and Nat “King” Cole. I even have an affection for the “Velvet Fog,” Mel Torme.
Of course, admitting this to the Internets will probably bring along some public shaming.
What a relief, I thought I was the only one, I grew up listening to Frank Sinatra, Nat King Cole, Otis Redding, and many of the good old boys… and it stuck. When you listen to those melodies and the lyrics and you absorb the mood, it makes a lot of new music today seem like manufactored, emotionless crap, which is true of a large portion of it.
I’ll put it out there, although my attempts at remaining low profile online will lead to much less shaming than you, but on Sunday mornings I’m known to geek it up with The Times, The Sun, a pot of coffee, and Frank crooning away in the background.
I like the some of the Rat Pack and other crooners, as well. One of my favorite Baltimore stations is 1370 AM.
Rachael: I completely agree with you about the whole problem of music today. The great part of the classic crooners and both their original works and their interpretations of the Great American Songbook is their use of jazz. To me, that makes the music that much more satisfying. Add Miles Davis or John Coltrane to any of those artists, and you have the makings of a highly enjoyable auditory experience. One of my favorite albumbs is “Count Basie Swings and Tony Bennett Sings!” Simply awesome.
As for your Sunday mornings, that is the way Sunday is supposed to be. Now I would much prefer an espresso-based beverage, but as long as the coffee is good you cannot go wrong. Still, that is a very good way to spend the morning.
tfg: I need to remember 1370 on the radio dial. Any time in particular to listen?