Tony Bennett

[Tex]

Everyone knows who Tony Bennett is so I won't rehash that.

We had been wanting to check out the new Moody Theater in Austin, which is really a big television studio built for the Austin City Limits show, which attracts a large studio audience and had outgrown it's 1974 studio. I will have to say that the acoustics are damn near perfect, which was the idea around which the place was designed.

When we looked over the concert schedule and saw Tony Bennett's name, we started thinking that he was the last of the old Italian crooners and that we would likely never have another chance to see him. You take a chance on someone that old that he may be too far past his prime.

Tony Bennett still has the gift, although he is moving slower and had to reach for a note here and there. Hell, he's 85. He may have a couple of years yet. He told the story of how Bob Hope saw him opening for Pearl Bailey and liked him and suggested the name Tony Bennett.

Bennett's daughter also sang a few songs. She would be OK at Hedo talent night and since she was Tony Bennett's daughter, she got to sing.

I never saw Sinatra in person, but did get to see Dean Martin from the front row in Vegas. Tony Bennett is not at the very top of his game, but can still do it. We were glad to see him.

[♥ COVID-19♥]

I have seen Bennett a few times -- twice at Carnegie Hall and the last time at the Jazz Hall of Lincoln Center. The last time I saw him had to be a good 5-6 years ago at the Jazz Hall and he looked frail even then. I honestly didn't think he was still doing live performances.

I saw Sinatra only once, at Carnegie Hall back in the early '80's -- I think he was in his mid-60's at the time. His voice was tired and scratchy from all the performances he'd been doing. My two memories from that show: 1. He opened with "I've Got The World On A String" 2. He spent a considerable amount of time complaining about the press.

[Chicago Jake]

A living legend! I never got to see any of that generation live. But I did see Tom Jones live. Twice! Once in Vegas, and once in Chicago. He puts on a hell of a show.

Of "old Italian crooners," I think the only other one still eating pasta would be Vic Damone. And if you relax the Italian requirement, there's Johnny Mathis, although he might be a little too recent. The rest have all gone "al dente."

[Tex]

I have seen Tom Jones twice in Vegas and Mathis once. Mathis was born about 25 miles from Kilgore in the Mormon community of Gilmer. He still visits kinfolks now and then but I don't blame him for moving on.

[Merlot Joe]

We get to here Toney Bennett sing "I Left My Heart In San Francisco after every home win at AT&T Park. We have never seen Bennett live but we have seen, Robert Goulet in Reno hell of a show, Wayne Newton 90 minutes of non stop singing in Lake Tahoe, Mathis in Lake Tahoe.

Always wanted to see Tom Jones live.

[Chicago Jake]

Apr 28, 2011 23:26:07 GMT -6 Merlot Joe said:

Always wanted to see Tom Jones live.

I recommend that if you get the chance, take it. He sings his ass off, and makes a point of making fun of his own reputation as an aging sex symbol. He has a sense of humor as huge and robust as his voice.

[Merlot Joe]

Well if he ever gets close to my neck of the woods I will make it a point.

[Chicago Jake]

Speaking of Vegas, we are planning to go there in late August (probably 8/25 to 8/28) for Hazelita's milestone birthday (she'll be 21). Anyone care to meet up with us?

[Merlot Joe]

Wish we could. By late August I start to get grape juice running around. Since your so close stop by.