| Tony Bennett and Count Basie - In Person |
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| Music Disc Reviews Audio CD | |
| Written by Brian Kahn | |
| Tuesday, 02 February 1999 | |
| Performance 8 | Sound 8.5 | I am amazed at what Mobile Fidelity’s new GAIN 2 technology can do. This album is the first GAIN 2 album I have had a chance to listen closely to, if it can make a 1958 recording sound this good I can’t wait to hear some of the newer recordings remastered with the GAIN 2 system. Tony Bennett and Count Basie come alive on this Mobile Fidelity release. The soundstage is wide with good imaging of individual instruments and Bennett’s voice comes across clearly with great presence. Tony Bennett’s performance is as solid as ever. His renditions of ‘Firefly’ and ‘Lullaby of Broadway’ are particularly engaging.The Count Basie orchestra really shines and is thoroughly enjoyable throughout the disc. The orchestra artfully backs Bennett and greatly adds to his vocals. The disc ends with a rousing rendition of ‘Ol’ Man river’ featuring Candido Camero’s incredible bongo drum performance. As good as this disc is, there was one thing that detracted from my enjoyment, the applause track. The original producer inserted it to make this studio recording sound live, in my opinion it is a bit overdone. Even with all the applause the performance of Bennett and Count Basie and his orchestra come through loud and clear to be enjoyed. Like this article? Bookmark and share with any of the sites below.        |
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