When this impressive box set was first released in 1991, it put the capstone upon Tony Bennett's remarkable return to prominence by looking back at a legacy that had been overshadowed by that of the colossus Sinatra. The collection methodically traces his career from his first Columbia record, "Boulevard of Broken Dreams," in 1950, through the hit singles and key or capriciously selected album tracks up until 1972. Then, after borrowing three tracks from Fantasy's 1975 Tony Bennett/Bill Evans project (including an exquisite "Some Other " with a "Peace Piece" introduction from Evans), the box leaps 11 years ahead to contemplate Bennett's unlikely resurrection as an icon of the cynical young. Bennett's early records are almost operatic in feeling, a honey-smooth Italian tenor building toward histrionic climaxes, but the voice eventually busts loose into an outgoing, life-celebrating baritone, and, by the 1980s, reemerges as a darker, softer, even somewhat raspy replica of itself. There isn't much for the jazz listener here other than an occasional session with Count Basie (dig their ebullient "Lullaby of Broadway" together), a few cameos by jazz names, the Evans tracks, or some upbeat charts by Ralph Sharon, Ralph Burns, and a few others. Ultimately, the most striking difference between Bennett's records and Sinatra's is the sheer, unbeatably high quality of arrangements that Sinatra was able to get. Yet despite the abundance of period MOR treacle, many of these records are more interesting than memory recalls; for example, it's difficult to resist such a naively joyous track as Frank DeVol's rendering of "Put on a Happy Face" that has the Mitch Miller era written all over it. There is no better Tony Bennett retrospective at any price, although jazz specialists might be better served by the Jazz compilation.

Disc 1
1. The Boulevard Of Broken Dreams
2. Because Of You
3. Cold, Cold Heart
4. Blue Velvet
5. Rags To Riches
6. Stranger In Paradise
7. While The Music Plays On
8. May I Never Love Again
9. Sing You Sinners
10. Just In
11. Lazy Afternoon
12. Ca, C'est L'Amour
13. I Get A Kick Out Of You
14. It Amazes Me
15. Penthouse Serenade (When We're Alone)
16. Lost In The Stars
17. Lullaby Of Broadway (Live)
18. Firefly
19. A Sleepin' Bee
20. The Man That Got Away
21. Skylark
22. September Song
23. Till

Disc 2
1. B The Beguine
2. Put On A Happy Face
3. The Best Is Yet To Come
4. This The Dream's On Me
5. Close Your Eyes
6. Toot, Toot, Tootsie! (Good-Bye)
7. Dancing In The Dark
8. Stella By Starlight
9. Tender Is The Night
10. Once Upon A
11. I Left My Heart In San Francisco
12. Until I Met You
13. If I Love Again
14. I Wanna Be Around
15. The Good Life
16. It Was Me
17. Spring In Manhattan
18. The Moment Of Truth
19. This Is All I Ask
20. A Taste Of Honey
21. When Joanna Loved Me
22. I'll Be Around

Disc 3
1. Nobody Else But Me
2. It Had To Be You
3. I've Got Just About Everything
4. Who Can I Turn To (When Nobody Needs Me)
5. Waltz For Debbie
6. I Walk A Little Faster
7. Wrap Your Troubles In Dreams (And Dream Your Troubles Away)
8. If I Ruled The World
9. Fly Me To The Moon (In Other Words)
10. Love Scene
11. Sweet Lorraine
12. The Shadow Of Your Smile
13. I'll'll Only Miss Her When I Think Of Her
14. Baby, Dream Your Dream
15. Smile
16. Song From "The Oscar" (Maybe September)
17. Emily
18. The Very Thought Of You
19. A For Love
20. Country Girl

Disc 4
1. Days Of Love
2. Keep Smiling At Trouble (Trouble's A Bubble)
3. For Once In My Life
4. Who Cares (So Long As You Care For Me)
5. Hi-Ho
6. Baby Don't You Quit Now
7. Something
8. I Do Not Know A Day I Did Not Love You
9. Old Devil Moon (Live)
10. Rd Me
11. Maybe This
12. Some Other
13. My Foolish Heart
14. But Beautiful
15. How Do You Keep The Music Playing
16. What Are You Afraid Of
17. Why Do People Fall In Love/People
18. I Got Lost In Her Arms
19. When I Lost You
20. Shakin' The Blues Away
21. Antonia
22. When Do The Bells Ring For Me



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