Cloud 7

3 1/2 stars -- much as I admire Tony Bennett's singing in the 1950s, I have to say that this 1955 LP reissue didn't really do it for me. It's always pleasant to hear Tony, but the songs aren't all that strong, except for one or two, and the program as a whole doesn't really have much unity. Basically, it alternates ballads and up-tempo jazzy swing. There is one great performance, I think -- My Heart Tells Me," a song I had never heard before, written in 1943 for a movie called "Sweet Rosie O'Grady" (Thanks, Google!) -- and the ballad "I Fall in Love too Easily" goes over well, as does the better-known "I Can't Believe that You're in Love with Me," done with a nice swing. The rest are OK, though the high note at the end of "Old Devil Moon' should perhaps have been re-thought. That's a case where Sinatra's up-tempo version (on "Songs for Swingin' Lovers") is superior to Tony's.What gives the program more interest than the songs is the six-piece backup group, who get chances to shine throughout: they include Chuck Wayne on guitar, Charles Panely on trumpet, and the pianist Harvey Leonard. These aren't names I knew, and I'm happy to report that they play beautifully. Their moments to solo are among the high spots on this disc.

１９５５年、トニー・べネット２８歳の時の初録音（ＬＰ）の復刻版です。録音技術やアレンジにやや聴き劣りがします。しかし、彼の声はちょっと荒削りながら初々しくもあり、スイング感にもバラードの情緒にも後年の片鱗を漂わせています。中でも「Ｌｏｖｅ　Ｌｅｔｔｅｒ」、「Ｍｙ　Ｒｅｖｅｒｉｅ」が味わい深いバラードです。トニーの大ファンとしては彼のワン委声を聴けて満足です。採点は星５弱が本音ですが、おまけです。