Bennett/Berlin Explained

Bennett/Berlin
Type:	studio
Artist:	Tony Bennett
Cover:	bennettberlin.jpg
Released:	1987
Genre:	Vocal jazz
Label:	Columbia
Producer:	Danny Bennett
Prev Title:	The Art of Excellence
Prev Year:	1986
Next Year:	1990

Bennett/Berlin is an album by the American musician Tony Bennett, released in 1987.^{[1] [2]} It is a tribute to Irving Berlin.^[3] Dizzy Gillespie, Dexter Gordon, and George Benson guested on the album.^[4]

Critical reception

The Chicago Tribune wrote that Bennett's "wisdom, emotional insight and interpretative daring have grown by leaps and bounds."^[5] The Washington Post opined that "Bennett sounds relaxed, comfortable and affectionate toward the material, though his voice is noticeably weathered."^[6] The Philadelphia Inquirer praised the "aging hipster's cool confidence in his phrasing."

Track listing

All songs were written by Irving Berlin.

1. "They Say It's Wonderful" - 2:02
2. "Isn't This a Lovely Day?" - 3:19
3. "All of My Life" - 4:37
4. "Now it Can Be Told" - 2:24
5. "The Song is Ended (but the Melody Lingers On)" - 2:59
6. "When I Lost You" - 1:13
7. "Cheek to Cheek" - 3:25
8. "Let Yourself Go" - 1:28
9. "Let's Face the Music and Dance" - 1:55
10. "Shaking the Blues Away" - 1:47
11. "Russian Lullaby" - 2:11
12. "White Christmas" - 3:05

Personnel

• Tony Bennett – vocals, arranger
• Dizzy Gillespie – trumpet (tracks 5 and 11)
• Dexter Gordon – saxophone (tracks 3 and 12)
• Ralph Sharon – piano
• Paul Langosch – double bass
• George Benson – guitar (track 7)
• Joe LaBarbera – drums

Production

• Danny Bennett – producer
• Tom Chiappa – production coordination
• Dae Bennett – engineer
• Bob Ludwig – mastering
• Josephine DiDonato – artwork
• Annie Leibovitz – photography

Notes and References

1. News: Wong Briggs . Tracey . Bennett Sings Berlin . USA Today . 20 Oct 1987 . 1D.
2. News: Franckling . Ken . Tony Bennett Pays Homage to Irving Berlin . Sun-Sentinel . 26 Dec 1987 . 9D.
3. News: Kaplan . Renee . Choices . Newsday . 25 Oct 1987 . Part II . 2.
4. News: Miller . Mark . Jazz . The Globe and Mail . 7 Jan 1988 . D3.
5. News: Kart . Larry . Tony Bennett: Poet: Don't Believe It? . Chicago Tribune . 8 Nov 1987 . Arts . 12.
6. News: Brown . Joe . Six Artists: So Many Songs . The Washington Post . 13 Nov 1987 . N21.