Bennett Show Fast Paced
by Don A. Metivier, The Post-Star, August 22, 1972
Song stylist Tony Bennett and comedian Henny Youngman joined forces to present a well-produced, fast-paced two-hour show Sunday evening at Saratoga Performing Arts Center.
Introduced via tape recording by Frank Sinatra, Bennett delivered one upbeat song before bringing on Youngman. This was a delightful change from the normal Spa format—opening half warmup, second half star.
Youngman, the king of the one-line comics, was in great form and had the audience in great form for Bennett, who continued on without any intermission.
He belted out a dozen and a half songs, carefully programmed so that upbeat tunes were separated by ballads. It was a very professionally produced show.
Bennett was backed by Johnny Costa’s Orchestra and Bennett’s own rhythm section. He featured Bob Cranshaw on bass in several numbers, as well as individuals from the Costa group. Bennett is so much the pro that he has no fear of anyone onstage getting his share of the spotlight. As he said following the performance, “It was a great band, why not let them play.”
He sang nearly all of his hit recordings, but still getting the biggest reception was his million seller, “I Left My Heart in San Francisco.”
He returned for an unrehearsed encore at the backstage urgings of Youngman and later met with the press in SPAC’S Green Room. He said he was off to Cleveland for a singing date with the Cleveland Symphony, but was much more ready to talk about his painting than his singing.
The Philadelphia Orchestra will begin its final week at SPAC this evening, closing its season here on Saturday.
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