Sylvia Bennett’s voice is as sweet as she is, and the pretty blond haired chanteuse has collaborated once again with her longtime friend, producer Hal. S.Batt to create her new album Smile, a booklet of beautifully arranged songs, which takes its name from the Charlie Chaplin / Geoffrey Parsons / John Turner tune “Smile.”  The connection between Bennett and Batt goes back many years to a time when they toured for more than ten years, with the late, jazz vibraphonist Lionel Hampton.  

We do not usually begin a review by talking about bonus tracks, because often they are added in to the mix to try and bolster sales or they might simply be an afterthought, however, two of the best songs on the album Smile are in fact the bonus tracks. The title track “Smile,” is presented in Spanish and a smooth pop version of “Look of Love,” closes out the album. This writer must confess to being a little jaded when it comes to listening to the song “Smile,” because it has been recorded and performed so many times, however, the passion of the Spanish language gives this song new life and Sylvia Bennett turns in a fabulous performance. Many may not know that Sylvia Bennett was a pop singer, before turning to jazz and frankly after listening to her pop version of “Look of Love,” at least one journalist wants to know; Sylvia why are you not doing more songs like this? She again turns in an incredible performance and with both of these songs she adds new meaning to the phrase “Bonus Tracks.”  The work of all the musicians on this rendition of “Look of Love,” is superb.

Tenor saxophone icon, Boots Randolph once paid tribute to Sylvia Bennett’s skills as a vocalist, “I can understand why Lionel Hampton loved working with Sylvia Bennett. I too like the way she sings on the beat and the wonderful clarity of her voice. She really knows how to phrase a song, and she sings from the heart.”

Bennett’s last album Songs From The Heart, Featuring: The Three Tenors, showcased her vocals as a standards singer and when one surveys the list of songwriters whose work appears on the album Smile, the list is impressive; the CD opens with a more traditional offering of the Burt Bacharach / Hal David song “Look of Love,” she serves up a sensitive interpretation of Johnny Mandel and Paul Francis Webster’s “Shadow of Your Smile (also known as “Love Theme From Sandpiper),” the uplifting Betty Comden tune “Make Someone Happy,” Lorenz Hart’s “Where or When,” Cole Porter’s “Night and Day,” and could any collection of standards new or old be complete without a George and Ira Gershwin song? The answer of course should be no, and Bennett revisits “Love is Here To Stay.”

When I first became familiar with Sylvia Bennett’s music a few years ago and then came to know her professionally and personally I was impressed with her ability to genuinely infuse her music with a sense of romance and those who know this wonderful lady will attest that there is never anything contrived in the way she presents herself or her music. In an era when we are force fed songs that rely on hooks, artists who often rely on glitz, glam and outrageous stage and public behavior to bolster their careers and hide their lack of skill and sincerity, Bennett waves the flag of authenticity. Mike Levine’s elegant piano introduces the listener to “Look of Love,” and although drummers are seldom described with words such as exquisite that would aptly portray the drumming and percussion of Richard Bravo.  Batt’s excellent guitar work deserves to be mentioned in the same breath as icons such as “Bucky” Pizzarelli and bassist Chuck Bergeron is smooth.

The graceful arrangement of “Shadow of Your Smile,” serves as a fitting compliment to Bennett as she coos endearingly “Look into my eyes, my love, and see / All the lovely things you are to me.” The placement of the next song, Ray Noble’s “The Very Thought of You,” is excellent as it provides the perfect compliment to “Shadow of Your Smile.” Bennett reminds us that being in love and that “living in a kind of daydream,” is not just for teenagers with crushes and instead it affects all of us who know what it is like to be left breathless and smiling, because of the love of another. Mike Lewis, as he does throughout this album, provides a beautiful strings arrangement.

A gushing profession of love follows with “Fly Me To The Moon,” as Bennett invites her lover to take her hand and to kiss her. Bart Howard’s timeless lyrics demonstrate that men can indeed pen romantic, heartfelt lyrics, as he paints real emotions against the canvass of beautiful music and Sylvia Bennett’s evocative phrasing melts the listener’s heart.

If you possess a fondness for romantic music, tastefully presented by a singer whose music flows directly from her heart to the listener’s ear then you should check out Sylvia Bennett’s album Smile.