The Essential Tony Bennett (Gold Series)

Recognised as one of the finest singers of The Great American songbook, Anthony Dominick Benedetto became one of the most popular performers of the 1950s. Few artists from the big band era managed commercial viability in the rock n roll age but Tony Bennett showed his versatility taking on pop songs in a crooner style that would become his hallmark.

Continuing his rise as one of the biggest names in US music, Bennett became a regular television performer either as the marquee host or as a guest on the many late night television shows of the 1960s and early 1970s. Suffering a dip in popularity from the mid 70s through to the early 1990s, Tony's son Danny oversaw a turnaround in his fortunes that saw his father once again become a bonified star, with a string of hit recordings and sold-out tours. Performances with some of the biggest contemporary pop stars including Amy Winehouse and Lady Gaga introduced him to yet another generation of new fans.

Although Tony Bennett's catalogue is far too large to condense down to a collection less than a box set, this compilation does a great job of shining a light on some of his most popular works.