An Appreciation of the Art and Music of Tony Bennett
Tony and kd lang have collaborated on several occasions: A Wonderful World, Playing With My Friends and both Duets albums. Here is a video of them singing–beautifully– Blue Velvet, from Duets II. Their voices match perfectly on everything they sing together.
[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e3i2F7eKoKQ]
They also did an interview with NPR in 2002 when A Wonderful World was released. Click here to listen.
I think NPR loves Tony Bennett, as they have archived a treasure trove of interviews. Here are some of my favorites.
This story by Scott Simon, Tony Bennett’s Art of Intimacy, was played on NPR’s Weekend Edition Saturday on November 4, 2011 is a favorite of mine. It’s an extended interview that covers his vocal training right after the war, how he addresses singing at the age of 85, and some special words about the people he collaborated with in Duets II. Good interview, nice clips from the album, and very nicely produced. Click here to listen.
In the same time period, Tony visited the NPR studios and sang two songs, accompanied by Lee Musiker. Click here to view this small concert.
And an extended interview on World Cafe, also from Fall 2011. The discussion about the end about Tony’s relationship to painting and singing are well worth listening to. Click here to listen.
He has appeared on Marian McPartland’s wonderful Piano Jazz show. Click here to listen. This show was recorded in 2004.
And finally, an interesting story about creating a new arrangement of I Left My Heart in San Francisco with Bill Charlap in 2006. Click here to listen.
There’s more on NPR … Just navigate to www.npr.org and search for Tony Bennett. You wont’ be sorry!