Tony Bennett - MTV Unplugged: The Video
This blue-toned, straightforward visit with a mellow Tony Bennett is a grown-up rock video complement tothe CD, with a small, cabaret-style intimacy that gives the illusion that Tony's in the living room, singing only to us. The casual, languid Bennett style is omnipresent as Bennett croons and skats his way through some of the greats, including "Body and Soul," "A Foggy Day," and of course that old standby, "I Left My Heart in San Francisco." Old and new styles collide in the second half when Bennett introduces his guest k.d.  lang, whom he adds to his list of personal bests Billie Holliday, Edith Piaf, and Andy Williams. They duet on an undistinguished version of "Moonglow" that makes us wonder if Tony might not be mistaking lang for someone else.  Fortunately Elvis Costello arrives to kick things into a higher gear and as the lights dim red, Costello and Bennett heat up the track with a nice, spirited rendering of "They Can't Take That Away from Me." Bennett then encores with "Autumn Leaves/Indian Summer" and dedicates the whole ball of wax to Duke Ellington. It's a smooth, practiced affair that has little sense of spontaneity, though Bennett tries hard to imbue it with his trademark throwaway ease. Of course, it helps immeasurably if you watch this entertaining DVD in full surround stereo.--Paula Nechak