Magazine


Review: Tony Bennett, Bridgewater Hall

by Carl Palmer
14/ 4/2005

TO dwell on the fact that Tony Bennett is approaching his 80th birthday would be to miss the point completely. The celebrated American singer retains a lingering presence that time alone can't erode.

How else could he get away with treating the Bridgewater Hall like his own personal amphitheatre - then emerging wholly triumphant, gladiator-style?

In fact, the signs were good from the beginning for the man who stood shoulder to shoulder with the very best of his generation of balladeers - Sammy, Sinatra and the rest - when his mere arrival on stage to join his four-piece band got a standing ovation.

Performers of his stature deserve a high rating and a packed Bridgewater delivered the due respect, and got the quality and sassy verve they'd anticipated.

Bennett, typically immaculate in dark suit and tie, radiated an easy charm without ever losing his spark.

Resigned to putting the "E" into easy, Bennett delivered his immeasurable catalogue of songbook interpretations to the joy of fans who knew they were witnessing something special.

The voice is as willing to take on favourites like For Once In My Life, If I Ruled The World, Good Life and, inevitably, I Left My Heart In San Francisco.

But, as he warmed up, there was a bigger surprise to come when he stunned everyone by singing Fly Me To The Moon - without the aid of his microphone.

He enhanced his appreciation of the Bridgewater acoustics further by praising its architectural beauty and imploring Manchester's city fathers not to ever change it.

Bennett not only conquered the crowd on the first date of his UK tour - but made it a privilege for those lucky enough to be there.


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