Sings His All-Time Hall of Fame Hits

Performer: Tony Bennett
Producer: Didier C. Deutsch (Reissue)
Distributor: Sony Music Distribution (

Notes: Includes liner notes by Morgan Ames. Sings His All-Time Hall of Fame Hits is a 12-track hits compilation focusing primarily on Tony Bennett's 1960s work and allowing him to re-record several numbers using only pianist John Bunch for accompaniment (and to give spoken introductions, including one in which he explains how he found "I Left My Heart in San Francisco" before segueing into the original recording). Most surprising of the new versions is "Cold, Cold Heart," Hank Williams' country tune, which Bennett turns into an introspective, late-night ballad. Thus, this isn't so much a conventional retrospective as a representation by the artist of where he stands currently in relation to his catalog. Fair enough, but Bennett was still in need of a good, one-volume hits collection, especially as his contemporary pop career wound down. ~ William Ruhlmann Tony Bennett signed with Columbia Records in 1950, topping the US charts the following year with 'Because Of You' and 'Cold, Cold Heart'. Other 50s hits included 'Just In Time' and 'Stranger In Paradise'. 1958's 'Firefly' was Bennett's last US Top 40 entry until 1962, when he made a major comeback with 'I Left My Heart In San Francisco'. Bennett's other 60's hits included 'I Wanna Be Around', 'The Good Life', and 'If I Ruled The World'. However, his future lay with concerts and albums, including I Wanna Be Around, and The Many Moods Of Tony. In the 70s, Bennett left Columbia and his return in the mid-80s produced The Art Of Excellence, which included a duet with Ray Charles. In 1993 and 1994 he received Grammys for Perfectly Frank and Steppin' Out. He was 'discovered' by younger audiences following his appearances on the David Letterman Show and MTV's Unplugged. The latter teamed him with k.d. lang and Elvis Costello. Bennett's star continued to shine with Here's To The Ladies, with impressive versions of 'God Bless The Child' and 'I Got Rhythm' and the excellent Tony Bennett On Holiday: A Tribute To Billie Holiday. A greatest hits compilation with a twist. Interspersed with a regular assortment of Tony Bennett chart-toppers are newly recorded versions of "Cold, Cold Heart", "One For My Baby" and "The Good Life," accompanied only by Ralph Sharon's piano and casually introduced with a few words from Tony himself. It's a nice change of pace, and Hank Williams's "Cold, Cold Heart" benefits particularly from the cabaret-style update. So much so that one wishes they tried this approach on more than three songs.

One of the finest voices of 20th century American pop, Tony Bennett began his career in the '50s, under the watchful eye of producer Mitch Miller, recording huge hits such as "Boulevard of Broken Dreams," and "Because of You." In 1958, his album BASIE SWINGS-BENNETT SINGS was a precursor to later jazz-based work. That same year, "Firefly" was Bennett's last US Top 40 entry until 1962, when he made a major comeback with the Grammy-winning "I Left My Heart In San Francisco." In '93 and '94 he was awarded Grammys for his albums PERFECTLY FRANK and STEPPIN' OUT.

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