Hot And Cool - Bennett Sings Ellington

To interpret the work of a composer such as Duke Ellington is a difficult task by any yardstick; the music is very complex and transcends much of the construct of jazz, into which genre it is usually placed. Tony Bennett, however, undertakes the task with relish, and with the exception of Sinatra, who could always do it, I can think of nobody in this field who inhabits a bunch of songs so well.

Bennett gets right inside these pieces, whether it be the darkness of 'Mood Indigo', or the sheer sass of 'It Don't Mean A Thing (If It Ain't Got That Swing)'. Simply put, this is an extraordinary album; much more than a record, it is a journey of the mind, body and spirit, a privileged insight into the very essence of one of the great composers.

Take, if we will, two pieces by way of contrast - 'She's Got It Bad' and 'In A Mellow Tone'. The first features the Ralph Steven Quartet who play throughout, with strings added, plus Wynton Marsalis on trumpet and Al Grey on trombone. Together, they paint a full canvas of sound. 'In A Mellow Tone', by contrast is quite minimalist, with guitarist Grey Sergent's single note picking being the stuff of severe muscle constriction in the adam's apple department.

This is a beautiful piece of work which should be in every home in the country, no matter what the musical persuasion within.