Tony Bennett with Count Basie Jazz Vocal CD and similar items

The Bennett/Basie sessions is a band singer's paradise, with the Basie band caught at a robust and swinging peak and Tony Bennett never sounding happier or looser in front of a microphone. The Count himself, alas, appears on piano only on two numbers ("Life Is a Song" and "Jeepers Creepers"), while Bennett's perennial pianist Ralph Sharon takes over on the remaining ten tracks and does all the charts. Yet Sharon writes idiomatically for the Count's style, whether on frantic rave-ups like "With Plenty of Money and You" and "Strike Up the Band" or relaxed swingers like "Chicago." Though not a jazz singer per se, the flavor of jazz is everywhere in Bennett's voice, which in those days soared like a trumpet. Despite the skimpy playing time, this is still a great, desirable snapshot from American show biz of the late 1950s. (Review by Richard S. Ginell, AMG) Songs include (not in this order): With Plenty of Money and You - 1:30 I Guess I'll Have to Change My Plans - 1:38 Growing Pains - 3:23 Life Is a Song - 2:47 Anything Goes - 2:15 Are You Havin' Any Fun - 2:40 Jeepers Creepers - 3:23 Poor Little Rich Girl - 2:39 Chicago (That Toddlin' Town) - 2:03 I've Grown Accustomed to Her Face - 2:58