Tony Bennett

Few remember that Tony Bennett starred in an excruciating soaper called The Oscar but this tie-in record is rightfully regarded as a career highlight. Johnny Mandel, the jazzman turned Hollywood composer, corralled Bennett and a host of the finest jazz arrangers (himself included) on this beautiful tribute to songs written for films. This disc features the gut-wrenching, definitive readings of the bittersweet classics "The Shadow of Your Smile" and "The Days of Wine & Roses." Tony also sits down with Luiz Bonfa, the pioneering bossa nova guitarist, on "The Gentle Rain" and "Samba de Orpheu."