Yeah, the kid can hold a note.
(Courtesy Wilson Benesch)

You know, I've seen a lot of "American Masters" portraits over the years – not all of ‘em but a lot of ‘em - and I think I can say right here, at this moment, that the best one I've ever seen will air tonight, on Ch. 13 from 9 to 10:30. It is a treasure chest, frame after frame, and all you have to do is reach in and grab a priceless jewel. Problem is, every FRAME is priceless, while every story, clip, interview, recollection will make you a happier person - no matter who you are or how old you are, or what your taste in music is, or your taste in anything.

I speak, of course, of "Tony Bennett: The Music Never Ends." I love Tony Bennett, and have for pretty much my entire life, and that's not just because I'm from San Francisco. (I feel the same way about Joe Torre and I'm not from New York). In his very being, his very voice, he says what's great - what's greatest - about American popular music since (just after) the Second World War. There's also a profound humanity and decency in the man - so profound that even children can detect it immediately, which naturally speaks to his enduring popularity.

Where to begin? I can't really - there's so much here, so much music, so many interviews, so many clips, that they all just seems to emerge organically, like flowers on a perfect spring day: Carson, Scorsese, Gay Talese, Mel Brooks, Bob Hope, Harry Belafonte, Mitch Miller, Bill Evans, Judy Garland, Doris Day, Bing Crosby, Dean Martin, Astaire, Gene Kelly... They all - and dozens more - have something to say about Bennett - or we see how they influenced him, or sang with him, or simply admired him. Directed by Bruce Ricker and executive produced by Ted Sarandos, it's an insanely joyous and generous broadcast. (and as evidence of the generosity, you’ve gotta see how it plays out “I Left My Heart In SF” over a fifteen minute stretch.) We see Bennett as a painter, father, Civil Rights supporter, friend, and most of all musician. The always-wise and wonderful Jonathan Schwartz explains that Bennett has been "technically superb to this day, and has been that since he began to sing and record in 1949 and 1950..." while “The Music Never Ends” demonstrates exactly how this miracle happened.

"I really count my blessings every day," says Bennett. "I'm really satisfied with my life. It could only happen in this country. It's amazing. It's amazing."

Yeah, it's amazing. Watch. I'm serious. This one you can't miss.

Posted by Verne Gay on September 12, 2007 9:49 AM | Permalink