Tony Bennett & the Good Life

The loveliness of Paris seems somehow sadly gay

The glory that was Rome is of another day

I’ve been terribly alone and forgotten in Manhattan

I’m going home to my City by the Bay…

Like Tony Bennett, I bet that you, too, must have left your heart in San Francisco, Tony’s City by The Bay, after staying there for even only a few days, especially if in your mind it calls to you from high on a hill and you keep on wanting to go back “to be where little cable cars climb halfway to the skies,” not caring even if “the morning fog may chill the air.”

I kept humming the song (yes, I Left My Heart In San Francisco) long after I hung up after an exclusive 20-minute phone interview with Tony who called from New York. He turned 85 last Aug. 3 and the interview was for Duets II which was released last Sept. 20 by Columbia Records in the USA (and by Sony Music in the Philippines). It’s a follow-up to the chart-busting and Grammy-winning Duets I: An American Classic released in 2006 which turned out to be Tony’s best-selling album to date.

Like in the first Duets, in this one Tony does duets with younger artists, including Mariah Carey, Natalie Cole, Sheryl Crow, Norah Jones, Josh Groban, John Mayer, Faith Hill, Willie Nelson, Andrea Bocelli, Alejandro Sanz (a Spanish singer-songwriter) and the late Amy Winehouse.

Bennett now...

“I love the Great American songbook and I have been fortunate to have had the opportunity to introduce many of these songs to the public,” said Tony. “It’s a thrill to perform them once again with artists that I admire to create new interpretations of the music I love so much.”

Doesn’t he think of retiring after more than seven decades as a recording artist with over 100 albums and 15 Grammy Awards (including the Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award)?

“No way,” said Tony.

Up to now, Tony has remained the Columbia recording artist with the greatest longevity at the label. His 2007 primetime special Tony Bennett: An American Classic, won seven Emmy Awards. Tony is also a visual artist, with three of his original paintings now part of the permanent collection at the Smithsonian. His humanitarian efforts are well-documented (the United Nations honored him with the Humanitarian Award in 2007). Tony has published three books — his autobiography The Good Life and two about his paintings, Tony Bennett: What My Heart Has Seen and Tony Bennett In The Studio: A Life of Art and Music.

In association with the Department of Education in New York City, Tony founded the Sinatra School of the Arts (a public school in his hometown of Astoria, Queens). With his wife Susan, he established Exploring the Arts, a charitable organization which supports arts education in New York City public high schools.

My standard question for foreign artists who have performed and/or visited the Philippines: What memories do you have about our country?

“Well, I’ve played in the Philippines and I love the Filipino people; they’re so beautiful. All of them are very sweet. As a musician, what I like about them is that they like love songs with a nice melody and the sweetness of a song. And to me, they have great taste when it comes to music. I love remembering the time I spent there and how much fun it was to be with the Filipino people.”

...and then: The song remains the same.

Do you have any close Filipino friend, somebody that you know very well?

“Yes, I know Minda Feliciano very well. Do you know Minda?”

 Yes, of course, I know her but only by name, not personally. She was the girlfriend of Michael Caine and, if I remember right, they lived together in London for a few years. Minda is the cousin of Rose Feliciano, the widow of Vic Vargas.

“She was a good friend of mine. We are still very good friends. I’m close to the whole Feliciano family. They are very nice people.”

Tony, may I ask if it was pure friendship between you and Minda? Was there anything romantic between you?

“Oh, we were just dear friends for many years; we were great friends. I see her in London sometimes. But that was many years ago.”

When was the last time you talked to Minda?

“When her husband died years ago. I was sorry about that.”

Tony, happy birthday. You just turned 85 last Aug. 3.

“Thank you very much!”

How does it feel to be 85? You don’t look it, you don’t sound it.

“I’m in good shape. Fortunately, I’m still very healthy. Nothing wrong with me. I could have retired 14 years ago but I like what I’m doing. I love it that I make people good when I perform…it makes me feel good. I will never retire. I will always try and get better and better.”

How did you celebrate your 85th birthday?

“Well, I did a big benefit show for the Metropolitan Opera in New York and the next night, I did another show for the benefit of the schools (for performing arts) that my wife and I have put up.”

At 85, do you still make a birthday wish?

“Oh yes, I did. My wish is for everybody in the world to continue their search for truth and beauty.”

How do you maintain your good voice and your good body?

“Well, I exercise three times a week. I play tennis. I’m very content and very happy that I’m in very good shape. I like my life. It’s not work to me. It’s beautiful.”

Looking back, what are the three things that you consider very memorable in your career?

“One was when I was recording I Left My Heart In San Francisco. Also, when the United Nations made me a citizen of the world. That changed my life because it made me realize that I am a citizen of every country that I go to. The third? Well, I have a beautiful wife who makes me happy. We started a school together; we have 14 schools of performing arts now in Manhattan and we teach students how to become artists.”

What’s the best lesson that you’ve learned all these years that you’ve been giving joy to the people?

“Well, the best lesson is the search for truth and beauty. And yes, for you to just enjoy life.”

Let’s talk about three of your classic songs and a little background about them.

“Well, The Good Life is a good song. How Do You Keep The Music Playing is a beautiful song, too. I always did good songs since 1950, and they are too many to mention. I’ve done about 74 albums and I can say that they are all good, quality songs. I never did disco or rap music, all I did were happy songs with, you know, a good rhythm…beautiful love songs to listen to.”

Do you listen to songs by younger singers today?

“One song that I love so much is the one by Lady Gaga, The Lady is a Tramp.”

I’ve been listening to your first Duets album and I like it so much. I‘m afraid I’ve broken that CD from playing it too often and too much. I’m looking forward to your Duets II.

“You should. I’m doing duets with very talented artists.”

It’s a good thing that you finished recording with Winehouse before she was found dead.

“Yes, we did a duet of Body And Soul.”

What are your memories during your recording session with Winehouse?

“Oh, she made a great record with us, you know. It’s really a very beautiful performance. I was sad when I learned a couple of weeks later that she had died. My son, who manages me, called me up and he said, ‘Amy Winehouse just died…over drugs, you know.’ It was tragic, very tragic!”

Tell me the background of I Left My Heart In San Francisco, which is hands-down your most popular and most memorable song.

“You know, I think that song has lured people to go to San Francisco and see it for themselves. You know, San Francisco is a beautiful city. People just love that city! So it’s a beautiful song to be identified with.”

Do you still live in San Francisco?

“No, I live in New York City.”

Oh, did you leave your heart in San Francisco?

“I left my heart in San Francisco. Yes, I did.”

Of your hundreds of songs, which one do you want to be remembered for?

“Well, I guess that I have no choice. It has to be I Left My Heart In San Francisco.”

I will end this Conversation with the lyrics of The Good Life:

Oh, the good life, full of fun seems to be the ideal

Mmmm, the good life lets you hide all the sadness you feel

You won’t really fall in love for you can’t take the chance

So please be honest with yourself, don’t try to fake romance

It’s the good life to be free and explore the unknown

Like the heartaches when you learn you must face them alone

Please remember I still want you, and in case you wonder why

Well, just wake up, kiss the good life goodbye

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