Sold Date: January 8, 2023
Start Date: January 1, 2023
Final Price: $19.99 (USD)
Bid Count: 2
Seller Feedback: 3357
Buyer Feedback: 36

THE TONY BENNET/BILL EVANS ALBUM RECORDING DATE: JUNE 10-13, 1975 ~ FANTASY STUDIOS BERKELEY, CALIFORNIA RELEASE DATE: 1975 LABEL: FANTASY – F-9489 MATRIX: F 9489 A/B [etched two horizontal lines w/ dot under each creating a gull] I PRESSING: FIRST PRESSING? ORANGE LETTERING
CONDTION:  VINYL EX-  JACKET: VG+
I've been going thru my massive vinyl record collection this winter and pulling out some LPs that I thought that someone else would want for their collection. I've been collecting records for over 40 years and it's time to pass some of them on to the next generation of collectors.
This week on EBay I am offering up this fantastic, clean copy of the classic Bill Evans & Tony Bennett Duet Jazz album.
Bill Evans and Tony Bennett hooked up together at Fantasy recording studio in Berkeley over four days in June 1975 with no one other than the producer, Helen Keane and a recording engineer present. Together they recorded one of the best albums of either's career.
This album is close to perfect; two amazing artists recording unencumbered by anyone else’s sounds or influence and performing a repertoire of jazz flavored classic songs, including Bill Evans’s best known song, “Waltz for Debbie.” 
The Tony Bennett on this album is not the sappy Tony Bennett your Grandmom listened to. Bennett has always had a love of Jazz in his heart, but was restricted by his label to record what they wanted him to do, in his traditional style.
By 1975, when this was recorded, Bennett was released from his decades long contract with Columbia and started his own label. He was free to pursue his heart and sing whatever he wanted. He always wanted to record an album of classic American songs in an intimate jazz setting, so he created this fantastic album by teaming up with one of the best Jazz pianists ever, Bill Evans.
Evans serves as an excellent accompanist, using his steady left hand to keep Bennett centered, but ready, whenever the vocals were finished, to go off into his characteristically lyrical amazing playing.  Tony's obvious enthusiasm for the project, coupled with his mastery of phrasing and songs that he felt and understood perfectly, made for a perfect partnership. 
Bill Evans isn't just the backing piano for Bennett's voice, this album is a full collaboration, a series of jazz duets as equal partners. 
Both men are masters, they know exactly what they want to do with each song, and they make a splendid interpretation every time. Both artists were at the top of their game.
It's one of the most memorable Jazz vocal-piano duets ever committed to vinyl. This is one of those timeless albums where you can honestly say that 'it doesn't get any better than this...'
Tony Bennett is in complete control of his voice and performance; the choice of songs, his tone, the dynamics, the phrasing, and his expressiveness. Just perfect. Tony Bennett never sounded warmer and more expressive. 
Bill Evans is also just fantastic. The quality of his playing is beyond impressive. His left and right hands are playing almost independently, yet seamlessly, as he adds thoughtful accompaniment and embellishments behind Bennett.
You can hear that they are really listening to each other, picking up on each other's subtle cues, and accommodating each other perfectly. The level of communication and timing between them is quite magical, with Evans anticipating Bennett’s every note, not only supporting but accentuating his words. Bennett, in turn, leaves spaces for Evans to fill with his lyrical flowing notes, magical chords, and his unique style.
This gem from 1975 is a superb album that demands to be heard. Timeless music that will always remain fresh.
~~~~~~~~~~ The fantastic, classic timeless songs on this album include:
Young and Foolish The Touch of Your Lips Some Other Time When in Rome We'll Be Together Again My Foolish Heart Waltz for Debby But Beautiful Days of Wine and Roses
~~~~~~~~~ CONDITION: I tried to show good hi-resolution photos of the cover, labels and vinyl in my pictures.
VINYL: The vinyl looks terrific. Clean, bright and crisp. There might be a faint hairline or two, but it has no noticeable issues or defects. I'd call it EX-, but Ebay doesn't allow that grading. I'll call it VG+ to keep everyone happy, but you can see from my photos of the vinyl that it looks fine.
LABELS: This is on the brown 70s Fantasy label with Orange lettering. The labels are clean and bright. No marks or scuffs. The spindle holes are sharp and clean, suggesting minimal playing. I've had this record since the mid 70s and taken great care of it.
JACKET: This is an early jacket with the misprinted titles on the back. The first song on each side are reversed. The labels have the correct running order, but has the album title on one line instead of two. It's also missing the 'Stereo' designation seen on other early pressings. Overall, the jacket looks terrific, Clean, sharp corners, no splits or damage. Some minimal ringwear on the top of the front and back covers, above the pictures of Tony and Bill. (see close-up photo). 
The one issue or fault with this great album is that the prior owner's name is written in red, on clear tape, and placed over Bill Evans' right arm on the front cover. It's neatly done and not too distracting, but it does affect the cover. It's not horrible, but should be pointed out. I showed details in my photos.
Overall a very nice, original pressing copy of this great, timeless album.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~  ** NOTE: This record is being sold "AS IS" AND "NO RETURN". It's clean, crisp and fantastic and I'm sure you'll be very happy with it. ] ~~~~ I’m recently retired and downsizing and letting go some gems and rarities from nearly 45 years of vinyl record collecting. Check out the many other fantastic 45s and 33s coming soon to my page!
All records have been carefully evaluated and graded by me. I visually inspect all records under bright light, personally gently clean them with a soft cloth and then, if unsure, play them on a modern high-end turntable to get a true picture of condition. Please look at all the high-resolution pictures I added. They are all my own and are of the actual record being sold. The pictures are part of the description and can show small details, label variations, and condition better than I can put into words. 
My grading is fair and honest. I have had over 3,300 happy and satisfied EBay customers over the years, with 100% positive feedback, and I have been buying/selling on EBay for well over 20 years, so please bid with confidence!
I'm a 0ne-man operation, this is a hobby, not my job. I do this for fun. I do this because I love music, love collecting vinyl and want others to share in that same experience. I take my time listening, researching, grading, listing and packaging. I will NOT sell any record that I personally would not want in my collection.
As you well know, packing and shipping rare records requires special care and attention, therefore, shipping cost within the lower 48 states is $5.00 on this item. If you would like insurance, or anything faster than Media/Economy Mail, please let me know and I can arrange it for you. I’ll work with you to make sure you’re happy!
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