“A Little Piece of History”
As far back as I can remember, I always wanted to see Tony Bennett. This dream was realized at Providence Performing Arts Center in Providence, Rhode Island on April 11th. PPAC seems like the perfect place to see someone like Bennett, the theater is gorgeous gleaming in nostalgia but it also feels timeless. I always feel like I’m part of something important when I am in this theater, and this show was no different. Tony Bennett is a little piece of history; an absolute legend whose career has spanned seven decades. At 91, Bennett is still going strong. I was amazed at how good he sounds. Often, concerts like these are promoted around nostalgia, but Bennett sounds just as good at 91 as he did in his twenties.
The evening began perfectly with a number from his incredible quartet which accompanied Bennett’s daughter, Antonia, for a set. Tony Bennett came on and performed for nearly two hours spanning twenty-three songs, with standouts such as “I'm Old Fashioned,” “One for My Baby (And One More for the Road),” and “Fly Me to the Moon,” which he closed with. I was also thrilled to hear “Rags to Riches,” which I was introduced to as a kid from the opening of Goodfellas, and “I Left My Heart in San Francisco,” which is essential Bennett. Nearly every song warranted a standing ovation, and for one of the first times in my life, I wanted a show to keep going. While the show had to come to an end, it showed me that Tony Bennett has no plans of slowing down.
