Tony Bennett’s Magic Appreciated by 7,000 In SPAC Appearance

by Marilyn Nason, The Post-Star, August 12, 1969

Sings Old Favorites

The magic and personal magnetism of Tony Bennett came through last night on the vast stage of Saratoga Performing Arts Center to an appreciative crowd of 7,000. The sound system unfortunately again played tricks with a gifted performer, making him sound too loud at times, but again just perfect, especially in the slow, quiet ballads.

The Bennett charm, his particularly distinctive inflections, mid-phrase breathing, his remarkable ability to hold a note for what seems an eternity, all added up to a delightful second-half of the program last night.

Many of the songs synonymous with Tony Bennett from “San Francisco” and “If I Ruled the World” to “Fly Me to the Moon” and “I’ve Got to Be Me” and his encore choice, “People,” drew murmurs of pleasure from the audience. And he received a standing ovation at the close, with shouts of “More, More,” which brought him back onstage with a big smile and an acknowledgement, “I don’t know when I’ve ever had a better time onstage.”

By far, the best moments were the quiet ones, when the amplification was down. He literally crooned into the hand mike and the orchestra was muted. Then, the deep, clear, mellow tones of this international singer really came to the fore and were thrilling to hear.

Perhaps the best number of all was Anthony Newley’s “Who Can I Turn to?”

Brief humorous number, achieved by psychedelic lighting was “Firefly,” with the lighting making his actions appear similar to a Keystone Cop speeded-up movie segment—very ingenious and pleasant.

For Woody Allen’s “Play It Again,” he took off his tux jacket, loosened his collar and untied his bow tie, slinging the jacket over his right shoulder for a most effective rendition of this ballad.

Among tunes dedicated to the late Judy Garland, which brought applause from the audience, was a whirlwind version of “The Trolley Song.”

Backing him were the 17 members of the Louie Bellson Orchestra with John Bunch, pianist, as musical director. Bellson, his drums, and orchestra, entertained for the entire nearly one-hour first half of the program last night, a temporary shock to many who expected Tony Bennett to perform in both halves like so many other singers in the past at SPAC have done.

Probably the most enthusiastic listener to Bellson’s portion of the show was Bennett himself, who sat just offstage
throughout his part of the show with concentrated interest on the drummer and his big band sound.

Tonight Andy Kim joins the Young Americans in concert at 8:30.