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