Dartblog

A little variety never hurt anyone. This fine Sunday I thought I might show a performance from two expert crooners who are not Frank Sintra. The clip below, presumably from The Dean Martin Show, shows Dean and Tony Bennett perched on white rocking chairs, taking a tour of America (and the isles, in “Come Fly With Me”) through popular standards. The duo goes through “Chicago,” “Houston,” (which shows Dean Martin at his very best) “I Left My Heart in San Francisco,” (and then Tony Bennett at his), “I’ll Take Manhattan,” “I Love Paris,” “A Foggy Day,” and “Way Down Yonder in New Orleans.”

Although Dean Martin and Frank Sinatra were close friends who produced incredibly entertaining song sketches, Dean Martin and Tony Bennett were not regular collaborators, and the latter was never a smooth duettist anyway. One can sense that this particular medley does not have the two singers on precisely the same page. The arrangement, though, is lovely and the two men, considered individually, do a fantastic job. Just look, be ready, for Tony Bennett’s unrestrainable smile following the words “windy sea” and for Dean’s over “walkin’ in the rain.” They are both in top form.

See past editions of Sunday Morning Sinatra here.