However you look at it, this is undeniably the essential Tony Bennett hits over some 40 years. Many of them were produced by Mitch Miller. And many come from the classic compsers such as Julie Styne, Cole Porter, Jonny Mercer, Duke Ellington, Irving Berlin and such.

This is basically 50's and 60's nostalgia with a nod at Tony's more recent work, and so is obviously for those who prefer the older and most familiar music. And for those listeners, it's definite four star material.

28 of 28 found the following review helpful:


The Best from one of the best.  Jan 25, 2001 By Eric V. Moye
Tony Bennett is a great singer. Like Hank Aaron could hit a baseball. Like New York has a few people around, or Dallas is warm in July.

This may be the best single disc compilation of Tony's work available. It has just about every popular song he has ever recorded. Leaving aside the ubiquitous "San Francisco (a classic of all time, it goes without saying), this disc has so much more to offer. "I Want to be Around (to pick up the pieces)", "Tender is the Night", "Boulevard of Broken Dreams", and on and on and on. Each song here is better than the next. His voice is a treasure. "Steppin' out with my Baby" is as cool as the other side of the pillow.

Thanks to MTV "unplugged", a whole new generation of fans got to hear this marvelous singer. As importantly, millions who had heard him before and somehow forgotten how fine his work were able to re-discovered his brilliance.

Do yourself a favor.

29 of 32 found the following review helpful:


Title says it all!  Oct 04, 2000
There is no fat on this one! No fillers! This is the creme de le creme of a long career full of tasteful music. Each and every song chosen is 100% pure TONY...100% pure TASTE! No fat on this review either! BUY IT! It's THE BEST!!!

12 of 12 found the following review helpful:


Not the smoky, jazzy Tony  Mar 27, 2001 By B. Caldwell
Tony Bennett is the ultimate saloon singer. Perfect, jazz inspires phrasings that can take a familiar song in interesting new directions. I was looking for that stripped down bar room sound: stand up bass, piano and soft brushes on a snare drum and Tony's unique virtuosity, sometimes whispery, othertimes sharp and loud. This is not that recording. This "greatest hits" album features the lush and elaborate productions of the 50's and 60's, a style that is like a sugar coating on top of Tony's greatness.

11 of 11 found the following review helpful:


fine single CD retrospective  Feb 13, 2008 By Matthew G. Sherwin
The Ultimate Tony Bennett is essentially a single CD retrospective of what Tony Bennett himself considered to be his best work. (Bennett himself picked the songs for the album.) The quality of the sound is excellent and the artwork is nicely done. The selection of songs may lean toward to 1950s and the 1960s but Tony Bennett truly was so great that just about anything he ever sang is priceless.

The album starts off with Tony singing the single version of "I Left My Heart In San Francisco." This is one of Tony's signature songs and it's not hard to understand why. Tony's ability to convey the emotions in every subtle nuance of the lyrics to this ballad strikes me as incredibly wonderful. Tony sings with excellent diction; and the piano arrangement lacks nothing--it's THAT good.

"Rags To Riches" features Tony's vocals squarely in the spotlight; and the lush musical arrangement enhances the natural beauty of this number. Tony sings this so well I am sure you will enjoy this song if you haven't heard it before. Moreover, "Stranger In Paradise" places Tony in the spotlight; he sings "Stranger In Paradise" to perfection and the backup vocalists support Tony very well. "I Wanna Be Around" is a romantic, emotional love song that couldn't sound any better if anyone even tried to perform this one. Tony sings this with great sensitivity at the same time that his voice is strong and full of warmth. Great!

"The Good Life" is utterly charming when Tony sings it; and listen also for Tony's fine rendition of "Smile." Tony delivers "Smile" with panache and I always enjoy this ballad. "Night And Day" is a romantic ballad and Tony swings slowly to perform this with an elegant style all his own. The piano and percussion on "Night And Day" are arranged with great sophistication, too.

"Blue Velvet" gives us Tony singing an interpretation of this classic love song with an almost operatic style; and the CD ends strong with "The Best Is Yet To Come." "The Best Is Yet To Come" features a fine musical arrangement and Tony sings this with such optimism that you experience the same optimism just listening to this!

Overall, any single CD retrospective of Tony Bennett's career could never truly hope to even scratch the surface of what this man could do on stage; but this one CD does come close to truly being his best. It's revealing that Bennett himself picked these numbers out for this CD. I highly recommend this for Tony Bennett fans; and people who like classic pop vocals won't be disappointed either.

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