The Complete Tony Bennett/Bill Evans Recordings

The Complete Tony Bennett/Bill Evans Recordings consists of the albums; The Tony Bennett/Bill Evans Album and Together Again remastered. The differences between earlier releases are not great; the last time both of these albums were released they were remastered also and both contained almost all of the alternate cuts you find here, this complete collection contains one or two extra alternate takes. If you’re a hardcore fan you’ll probably grab this one simply as a collection piece but if you already own the last incarnations of both your better off just passing. As a plus though, if your looking to add these albums to your collection you get both for the price of one.

Why Bennett took top billing on these albums I’ll never know. Bill Evans was one of the most inspirational pianists of his time inspiring Chick Corea, Herbie Hancock, and Keith Jarrett as well as non-pianists and his efforts here stand up to the standard that he helped to create for jazz piano. Matched with the one dimensional crooning of Tony Bennett, Evans’ playing is either highlighted or lost in the monotony of sameness that is Bennett’s range. I found myself struggling to listen, trying to focus not on the fact that Bennett’s style seemed to drag the two disc collection on for agonizingly ever, but the swift smooth sound of Evans effortlessly providing a flowing backdrop with his piano.

My opinion all to transparent its safe to say that I felt the alternate takes were deemed by me as more of a punishment then a bonus. Bennett may be a record selling artist and he may be more enthusiastic on some of his other albums but alternate takes or album cuts, they all sounded alike in regards to his vocal work, and to be honest, as I have been this entire review, Bennett’s vocal work here is poor at best. it’s a real judgment call with this one. Good luck.