Reviews for Life is a gift : the zen of Bennett
Kirkus
Copyright © Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
The legendary master of the American songbook shares stories and lessons learned from a life in music. As Bennett (The Good Life: The Autobiography of Tony Bennett, 1998) notes, Frank Sinatra called him "my favorite singer" on more than one occasion. The effect of this endorsement on Bennett's career was, of course, enormous. From a generation of singers still inclined to refer to his work as "showbiz," Bennett's career has had a peerless longevity and has likely provided him with wisdom and anecdotes for two or three books of this nature. The stories are wide-ranging, calling on his relationships with the best-known jazz singers and musicians from the 20th century--stories of collaborations, disagreements and adventures. His passion for art, travel and learning also take the stage. Each chapter showcases what Bennett sees as the necessities for a successful life--e.g., respecting others, hard work, ignoring "trends," and focusing on what you know and love. Bennett is also willing to call bologna by its name when he sees it, and he decries what he calls the "flattening out" of the music industry and of the tendency to prioritize all aspects of the business aside from the quality of the music. Some of the "Zen" suggestions at the close of each chapter fall flat--e.g., there's nothing particularly useful in stating that the world will be a better place if everyone can learn to get along and appreciate each others' differences. There is, however, a great deal of wisdom in the suggestions when they stem directly from Bennett's own richly lived life. Like Bennett's catalog of music--you may not fall in love with each individual story, but it's hard to argue with the way it's being told.]] Copyright Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
Publishers Weekly
(c) Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved
Relaxed and comfortable but full of vigor, Bennett's voice has charmed audiences for more than 60 years. Writing in the same style as he sings, in this new work he shares meditative lessons culled from his amazing life. Having learned the value of hard work during the Great Depression, the pointlessness of war during WWII, and the importance of being true to yourself during a career that has seen musical fads come and go over and over, Bennett (The Good Life, with Will Friedwald) has developed a loose set of rules by which he lives. Whether he is suggesting people "Only Sing Good Songs" or "Everything Should be Done with Love," Bennett explains how these tenets have shaped his success and makes suggestions about how others can apply them to their lives. Though not an autobiography per se, Bennett shares countless tales about showbiz, his famous friends, his family, and his artistic career. Still, it doesn't matter if he is recounting being awestruck by Frank Sinatra, disagreeing with Columbia Records honcho Clive Davis, or lamenting overindulgence on drugs and alcohol, he remains Zen-like in his delivery. Though slight and not a full account, Bennett's tips for happiness, success, and longevity are like music to the ears. (Dec.) (c) Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved.
Book list
From Booklist, Copyright © American Library Association. Used with permission.
*Starred Review* At 86, iconic singer Bennett looks back on 60 years as a performer still beloved and loving what he does. Bennett has sung for presidents and royalty as well as adoring fans, carefully singing only well-crafted songs from the Great American Songbook . Bennett attributes his style to the techniques he learned in method-acting school as a young man on the GI Bill as well as from the lessons he learned from others during his long career, from Duke Ellington and Johnny Mercer to Frank Sinatra and Nat King Cole. Among his memories: a tired and aging Fred Astaire bemoaning the fact that when he went to parties all the women wanted to dance with him, yet spontaneously breaking into a dance; Judy Garland's practical jokes; appearing with Rosemary Clooney on Arthur Godfrey's Talent Scouts, a forerunner of American Idol; collaborating and touring with k.d. lang. Bennett ends each chapter with the Zen of Bennett the personal beliefs that shaped his success as an artist and a human being. Among them are improve yourself every day, create things of lasting quality, and when you choose friends, you're choosing teachers. Bennett offers inspiring observations from a joyful life fully lived. HIGH-DEMAND BACKSTORY: Bennett is revered by many generations, and promotion for this generous, upbeat memoir will be prominent and lavish.--Bush, Vanessa Copyright 2010 Booklist
