Stars: Tony Bennett

Director: Lawrence Jordan

Summary: The tracklist includes 'Watch What Happens', 'For Once In My Life', 'They Can't Take That Away From Me', 'Somewhere Over The Rainbow', 'Cold, Cold Heart', 'It Was Me', 'Steppin' Out With My Baby', 'Christmas In Herald Square', 'Little Things', 'Who Can I Turn To', 'Chicago', 'Fly Me To The Moon', 'Smile', 'They All Laughed', 'The Good Life' and 'S'Wonderful'.

One of the first episodes of A & E's landmark music performance series, LIVE BY REQUEST, this program is a tribute to legendary crooner Tony Bennett. Music luminaries including Elvis Costello, Billy Joel, Burt Bacharach, Madonna, and Kiss joined together with film stars George Clooney, Cameron Diaz, Harrison Ford and others to praise the American treasure. In addition to the testimonials and tributes, Bennett is filmed performing several of his most adored tunes, all requested by a home audience who called in to request their favorites.

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Live By Requestis a tribute concert, filmed for television in 1998, to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the first time Tony Bennett adorned a ballad. He is, of course, worthy of the tribute. Bennett remains a singer blessed with an immense, understated charm, and with the obvious exception of Sinatra himself, nobody has ever done this kind of thing better. Bennett looks like he's having a whale of a time throughout this recording, but the fun doesn't necessarily translate as well to the viewer at home.

There's simply not enough here of Bennett doing what he has become famous for. Of the 16 songs featured, two are sung by other people (Clint Black performs "Cold, Cold Heart", Natalie Cole sings "Smile") and one is blighted by a duetting Muppet (an altogether unnecessary Elmo on "Little Things"). A great deal more time is taken up by pre-recorded tributes by an army of fellow entertainers (Elvis Costello, Kiss, George Clooney, Cameron Diaz, Madonna, Sting, among many others). While doubtless hugely gratifying if you are, in fact, Tony Bennett, the likelihood is that the overwhelming majority of people expected to buy this won't be.

On the DVD:Live By Requestincludes Dolby Digital and PCM Stereo sound options. The menus enable the viewer to select individual songs or, should they wish to, individual celebrity tributes to Bennett. The only bonus features are a none-too-enthralling selection of still photographs of Bennett and links to a few officially sanctioned Web sites. --Andrew Mueller

Main Language:	English
Region:	Region 2
Special Features:	Tony Bennett Photo Gallery, Instant Chapter Access To Songs, Interactive Menus
Year:	1996
Release Date:	March 18, 2002
Runtime:	82 minutes
Certification:	Exempt.
Catalogue Number:	540359
Keywords:	Music, Live, Request, Easy, Tony, Bennett, Performing, Mor, Listening, Arts, Popular
Genre:	Music/Performing Arts