Tony Bennett's second, and final, meeting with
Bill Evans is a memorable session for several reasons.
Bennett is very relaxed and inspired by
Evans' imaginative yet reserved accompaniment, which allows the spotlight to stay focused on the singer. The program is a wide-ranging mix of standards ("You Don't Know What Love Is" and "Dream Dancing") and classic jazz compositions (including
Evans' bittersweet "The Two Lonely People," and
Thad Jones' moving "A Child is Born"). The two veterans blend so well, that it sounds as if getting together in the studio was a regular occurrence.
Evans performs the subtle ballad "The Bad and the Beautiful" as a solo, the only song which
Bennett sits out. ~ Ken Dryden