Isn't It Romantic?

Recording information: CBS Recording Studios, New York, NY (06/1975); Columbia Studios, San Francisco, CA (06/1975); Fantasy Studios, Berkeley, CA (06/1975); CBS Recording Studios, New York, NY (07/1973); Columbia Studios, San Francisco, CA (07/1973); Fantasy Studios, Berkeley, CA (07/1973); CBS Recording Studios, New York, NY (09/1976); Columbia Studios, San Francisco, CA (09/1976); Fantasy Studios, Berkeley, CA (09/1976).
Photographer: Tom Copi.
During the '70s, while most singers of his generation were fading into memory or trying far too hard to fit in with a changing musical landscape, Tony Bennett did something unique: he started his own label and produced a series of surprisingly timeless recordings. Isn't It Romantic? presents 15 of these songs, in a variety of settings, from elegant duets with pianist Bill Evans to small-group songs with a quartet featuring Ruby Braff's Dixiefied trumpet or a trio with Torrie Zito's urbane piano (songs with the latter usually including an orchestra). The focus, however, is always on Bennett's voice, and if this material didn't become as renowned as his '50s and '60s recordings, it's still a treasure of standards sung by one of the best standards singers. ~ John Bush