DVD Alert: Tony Bennett Concert

I grew up listening to Tony Bennett, Frank Sinatra, Barbra Streisand, and Stan Getz's sax, to name a few, during the 60's. There was rock too but we heard ALL kinds of music in our house. Bennett was my favorite and still is. Now in his early 80's, he still performs and sells out his shows. How amazing is that? He's taken care of his voice and time has taught him to use it judiciously. He didn't trash it with years of cigarettes and booze. His phrasing has changed and he now saves his strength for a closing punch. This DVD concert from 2002 shows him at his best. He's so gracious as a host and so smooth as a performer, you can't help but not be moved by him. The first time I saw him live was for a high school graduation present. in 1967. Comedian Henny Youngman ("Take my wife... Please!!") opened for him with his one liners and bad (on purpose) fiddle playing. When Bennett came out, there was magic.
The next time I saw him was during the year this concert was filmed. We celebrated my parents' 57th wedding anniversary with tickets to the same local theater but renovated from an outside summer only tent with the stage in the round to a modern all year venue with large TV screens on each side of the stage. K.D. Lang who toured with Bennett opened for him and was terrific for an hour. She brought down the house with her closing rendition of Roy Orbison's "Crying." She told us how lucky we were to see Bennett but she was luckier because she got to see him every night.: "Every night I listen... And I learn." And what better teacher is there?
Then Tony came out with a quartet. All the hits were there and Lang joined him halfway for a few duets. This DVD concert is similar to what I remember and I believe the same drummer is here. He's generous in letting his musicians solo and this also lets him rest his voice. He was 76 then but could still blow you away. When he sang "Mood Indigo" I recall Dad saying: "I haven't heard that song in years!" Unfortunately it's not included here but you can find it on The Ultimate Tony Bennett CD of 20 songs, a good collection for those who don't own any of his music. Most of those songs are on this DVD and you can compare the earlier original versions to his later renditions. Not much has changed so treat yourself to either or both of these disks and hear a real American icon.
Mom will be 91 in April and is a bit wobbly so taking her to cimemas with stadium seating is a problem. I hooked up a DVD player in her room at her assisted living home so we can watch movies but still go out to restaurants. This concert brought us memories of that special night. I recall how they left the theater holding hands like teenagers. When we watched this DVD on Saturday, she was humming & singing along to melodies & words she knew by heart. Mom remarked that Bennett's (his real name is Benneditto) Roman nose seen in profile resembled her father's beak. My brother inherited that nose so we're in good company.