Tony Bennett talks Paul McCartney, Frank Sinatra and why he can’t wait to play the Liverpool Empire
by Jade Wright, Liverpool Echo
Jun 8 2012
THERE was a moment at Tony Bennett’s last Liverpool concert that will live long in the memory. Demonstrating the excellent acoustics of the Philharmonic Hall, the man who Frank Sinatra called “the best singer in the business” asked for all the microphones to be switched off and he sang a cappella.
“When I am in a beautiful theatre such as the Philharmonic where I know the acoustics are correct and the audience was so responsive that evening that I like to do a song completely acoustically,” says Tony, 85.
This month he’s returning to Liverpool to play the Empire, another beautiful old venue, packed with history – Judy Garland, Bing Crosby, Mae West, Laurel and Hardy and a certain Frank Sinatra have all played there.
“I love the theatres that were built in the 1920's – here in the US they were part of the vaudeville circuit and it’s a shame that so many of them have been torn down and insurance companies have been built in their place,” he says.
“Performing in the UK is always something that I look forward to because the public there has been so loyal to me over the years so its very much like a second home to me.
“I’ve been coming here for 50 years. But to be in Liverpool, the city of the Beatles, that’s something special.
“And fortunately we only perform in beautiful theatres where it’s not about who can put the speakers up the loudest.
“I have no desire to sing in large stadiums as I still love to present the art of intimate singing.”
Tony says he’s also looking forward to playing the Empire because of its Beatles connections.
“Funny enough, I presented The Beatles with their first major award back in 1965 for New Musical Express,” he chuckles.
“I remember meeting Paul McCartney and thinking he had ‘it’ and I knew he would have a long career.”
He has gone on to duet with Sir Paul on a number of occasions.
“We have sung together a few times and recorded a beautiful song written by the British composer Ray Noble called The Very Thought of You, in London at Abbey Road Studios,” Tony smiles.
“It was a great session and Paul talked about how much he loved popular standards, especially Cole Porter.”
Tony has spent the last few years working on two collections of duets with his favourite musicians.
Duets I, which was released in 2006, featured performances recorded around the world with Barbara Streisand, Stevie Wonder, George Michael, Billy Joel, Elton John and, of course, Paul McCartney.
Five years later, Tony become the oldest living performer ever to reach number one in the US and have a top five hit in the UK with his Duets II album. Among the highlights are Amy Winehouse’s last recorded track (Body and Soul), which was produced in Abbey Road Studios.
Tony Bennett performs at Liverpool's Philharmonic Hall.
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