Here's to the Ladies

Performer: Tony Bennett
Artist: Ralph Sharon Trio
Engineer: Joel Moss
Producer: David Kahne
Distributor: Sony Music Distribution (

Notes: Personnel includes: Tony Bennett (vocals); Jorge Calandrelli, Bill Holman (conductor); Ralph Sharon (piano); Lew Soloff (trumpet); Douglas Richeson (bass); Clayton Cameron (drums). Recorded at Clinton Studios, New York. HERE'S TO THE LADIES won a 1997 Grammy Award for Best Traditional Pop Vocal Performance. Tony Bennett's mixture of jazz and pop, of hard swing and suave song stylings, is without equal--save for those of his friend and admirer, Frank Sinatra. HERE'S TO THE LADIES ranks among the strongest of the singer's recorded works of the '90s because it delineates the degree to which Bennett has cultivated his art, while fleshing out his sense of history--not to mention the debt he obviously feels to the eighteen songbirds who inspired this recital. It also illustrates Bennett's impeccable taste in popular songs, sidemen and orchestrations. Pianist Ralph Sharon is his spiritual right hand man, while recent addition Clayton Cameron--Sammy Davis' longtime rhythm ace, and a brilliant brush virtuoso (check out "I Got Rhythm")--carries on a long tradition of tasty, hard swinging drummers who've enlivened Bennett's music since the '50s. Bennett and Sinatra are masters of the theatrical gesture, both possessing the unique ability to transform a song into a highly personal soliloquy. But while Sinatra favors a smooth, legato style of phrasing, Bennett's instrument has a more grainy quality, with a broad, expressive vibrato. As he demonstrates on a brassy version of "People," a sultry rendition of Peggy Lee's "I'm In Love Again," and a tippling interpretation of Judy Garland's signature tune, Harold Arlen's "Somewhere Over The Rainbow," it's the difference between a slide trombone and a tenor saxophone. With a disc comprised of wall-to-wall landmarks, it's hard to zero in on only a handful of highlights. On "Poor Butterfly," "Tenderly" and "God Bless The Child," Bennett achieves a cool sense of intimacy, finding heretofore undiscovered depths in these familiar chestnuts. Meanwhile, "Down In The Depths," "Honeysuckle Rose" and "I Got Rhythm" highlight Bennett's keen sense of swing, and his uncommon storytelling abilities.

Entertainment Weekly (11/24/95, p.106) - "...The musical settings are more varied than those of recent releases, and his sensitivity to the distaff side of prerock music balances the craggy muscularity of his vocal style." - Rating: A Q (1/96, p.118) - 3 Stars (out of 5) - "...the near 70-year-old has never stopped knocking out classy albums...he picks impeccable material...and sings them with masterful, almost idle swing..." Musician (1/96, p.95) - "...Bennett is left with...more room than usual to make these songs his own....the best moments...underscore Bennett's mastery without drawing undue attention to his chops." New York Times (Publisher) (1/6/96, p.C16) - Included on Stephen Holden's list of the Top 10 Albums of '95 - "...the singer is in top-notch voice, finding a fresh, emotionally rewarding approach in almost every case..."

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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