Tony Bennett. Saturday, August 13, 2011. Photos by Tracey James, Blogfinger staff photographer

By Paul Goldfinger, Editor.  Blogfinger.net.  Great Auditorium.  Ocean Grove,  NJ.

I’m speechless!

The empty space here                    is for the indescribable wonder of Tony Bennett’s performance Saturday night in the Great Auditorium.  Mr. Bennett’s voice is as wonderful as ever, complete with a full range of emotions, volumes, textures, rhythms and key changes.

He wore an off white sport jacket, a white shirt and tie, and black pants. He was animated and he even sang and waved to the folks in the cheap seats on the lawn. Nearly 4,000 tickets were sold, but it seemed like the place was packed. Tony Bennett did not let the crowd down; he performed many of his hits and he received a few standing ovations. He seemed genuinely happy  to be in this venue. As expected, he arrived with four first rate musicians:  piano, stand-up base, guitar and drums. 

Mr. Bennett, as gracious as always, complimented Ronald Naldi on his performance of the Star Spangled Banner and he told the audience that the Great Auditorium was a treasure, unlike any other theatre in the world. He said that we should protect and support this unique building.

Recalling a prior performance in the GA over twenty years ago, he sang “The Shadow of Your Smile” without any amplification.

For those who witnessed the performance, it will be something unforgettable. It was musical perfection by a star unlike any other.

Here is a song that Tony Bennett performed on Saturday that captures the feeling of something magical that happens and then eventually vanishes.