Tony Bennett

Frogman,

I had the chance to see Sinatra twice, very late in his career, and also at Radio City each time. A very different experience, a full orchestra, his son conducting, and a great experience. At the same stage of his career Tony Bennett STILL exudes the sincerity you describe here. I am just glad I have been alive at the time of them both, and then got to see them each perform, multiple times. I feel the same way about Bob Dylan, Merle Haggard, Johnny Cash, Jesse Winchester, the list is endless. A bit off-topic, but I tend not to be overly critical, just happy to be able to be a part of it, while I still can do so.

Points all well-made. I also concur with the sincerity bit. Sinatra is darn-near perfect, it's spooky, but Bennett's lyric always cuts through and makes you "feel" what he's singing. He also has crazy breath support that I don't think Sinatra had.

The sense that Bennett is a good human being is palpable, the sense that Sinatra is not, is likewise.

Frank was quoted concerning Tony " You know why Tony is so popular, he's got the voice, man". Could Frank be humble?

Mid 1980s a "beautiful" blond women friend of mine had the same voice coach as Tony in Manhatten. Teacher had asked her to bring a lesson cassette to Tony while he had a date at Atlantic City. We arrived. After asking for him and being checked, we were ushered to his dressing room. We both hung out with Tony for 45 minutes until he was close to his performance time. He initiated to shake my hand five times while we were there. He then asked "Hey, are you going to see my show?" We had only come to deliver the tape. Tony said "Don't worry, follow him". We were ushered to the theatre area. The venue had normal theatre type seating with a single front row of "reserved" small cabaret round tables. We were given front center with all compliments, on Tony. Am I biased? Tony was about the friendliest person you could ever meet! His own paintings projected on a large back screen during his performance. A great show!!

A great story!