Tony Bennett retirement: melancholy and gratitude.
Posted: September 4th, 2021, 4:36 pm
Friends, at nearly 100 Tony Bennett is retiring.
While I can't claim to enjoy most of his oeuvre, his 1994 album, MTV Unplugged, did help me get sober.
Or proto-sober: he was urbane, well put together, and competent. I was none of those things from when I first listened to that album in the mid 90s, though hopefully I am increasing in those good qualities since getting sober in '08.
He was a good example to me, when I most needed it.
He has certainly earned his retirement. I am still a little melancholy to see him go.
Thoughts on the Album Itself
Much like my other favorite albums (all of which came out at that same time: Buena Vista Social Club, BNL's "Rock Spectacle", and Oasis' "What's the Story, Morning Glory"), it sounds just as fresh and vital 25 years later. I remember being a college dropout and happily listening to them while playing PlayStation 1. Thank goodness I got out that funk.
Even if links weren't prohibited on this forum (which they should be, thanks to the tireless efforts of our friend Manuel Moe), I feel the songs are more of an auditory experience than visual.
Favorite songs:
1. "Autumn Leaves/Indian Summer"
2. "They Can't Take That Away From Me". Despite some regrettable mugging from Tony (we all made mistakes in the 90s), I wish I could hear again for the first time how Elvis Costello sings "The way her smile just beams..."
Transcendent!
3. "A Foggy Day", "When Joanna Loved Me", "All of You": Celebrating a woman's beauty. What better topic?
While I can't claim to enjoy most of his oeuvre, his 1994 album, MTV Unplugged, did help me get sober.
Or proto-sober: he was urbane, well put together, and competent. I was none of those things from when I first listened to that album in the mid 90s, though hopefully I am increasing in those good qualities since getting sober in '08.
He was a good example to me, when I most needed it.
He has certainly earned his retirement. I am still a little melancholy to see him go.
Thoughts on the Album Itself
Much like my other favorite albums (all of which came out at that same time: Buena Vista Social Club, BNL's "Rock Spectacle", and Oasis' "What's the Story, Morning Glory"), it sounds just as fresh and vital 25 years later. I remember being a college dropout and happily listening to them while playing PlayStation 1. Thank goodness I got out that funk.
Even if links weren't prohibited on this forum (which they should be, thanks to the tireless efforts of our friend Manuel Moe), I feel the songs are more of an auditory experience than visual.
Favorite songs:
1. "Autumn Leaves/Indian Summer"
2. "They Can't Take That Away From Me". Despite some regrettable mugging from Tony (we all made mistakes in the 90s), I wish I could hear again for the first time how Elvis Costello sings "The way her smile just beams..."
Transcendent!
3. "A Foggy Day", "When Joanna Loved Me", "All of You": Celebrating a woman's beauty. What better topic?