Why Tony Bennett is a favorite of mine: where I left my heart….

I have been watching America’s Got Talent tonight. During the course of the evening Tony Bennett performed a duet with Queen Latifah. When I was in junior high my family and I actually saw Tony Bennett perform at the local university. it was a magical night. Tony’s voice at the time was mellow, gorgeous, captivating. He was, as I like to say, like honey on warm toast. Tonight he was lovely as well. His phrasing and showmanship are still top notch. His phrasing is smooth, mellow, and captivating. Understandably his voice has lost some of its timbre over the years—that is to be expected.

But he still captures my heart in a special way. So lovely…if Louis Armstrong was still alive he would captivate me, too. It is hard to decide tonight which I would rather hear: Tony Bennett singing “I Left My Heart in San Francisco” or Louis Armstrong singing “It’s A Wonderful World”….We are so blessed in this world  to have received the gift of song, music, grace, and beauty. Thank you to God for this wonderful blessing. My heart is comforted and filled with joy when I hear the wonderful singers from days gone by. They truly have my heart….Sinatra, Clooney, Bennett, Sammy Davis Jr, Armstrong, etc etc.

What is it about the old Big Band singers that makes them so great for relaxations. Their talent and giftedness is remarkable. To hear them sing reminds me that we, the human race, have been through so much and yet we go on. we survive. we, like the Phoenix, rise up from the ashes once again. Which, of course—is why I am a perennial optimist.