Tony Bennett - Four Classic Albums Plus - Second Set (2021)

The release *Tony Bennett – Four Classic Albums Plus (Second Set)*, issued in 2021 by the British label Avid Easy (catalog number AMSC 1399), is a superb, remastered two-CD compilation.
The booklet spread you sent clearly illustrates the release's structure. Here are the key features and the concept behind it:
1. A Conceptual Shift: Pop Instead of Jazz
Earlier in 2021, Avid released the first Tony Bennett set (*Five Classic Albums*, AMSC 1391), which focused exclusively on his jazz persona—featuring recordings with Count Basie, various orchestras, and small jazz combos.
This *Second Set* intentionally shifts the focus to the Pop, Easy Listening, and Swing aspects of his work. It gathers his major pop hits, romantic ballads, and orchestral standards from the late 1950s and early 1960s.
2. Four Classic Albums in One Package
The release brings together four full-length Tony Bennett albums originally issued on Columbia Records:
• *To My Wonderful One* (1960) (CD1, tracks 1–12) — an incredibly tender, lyrical, and romantic album recorded with an orchestra conducted by Frank DeVol.
• *My Heart Sings* (1961) (CD1, tracks 13–24) — a powerful record arranged by Ralph Burns, in which Bennett reimagines classic standards such as "Dancing In The Dark" and "Stella By Starlight." • "Tony Sings For Two" (1961) (CD2, tracks 1–12) — a unique and highly intimate album. There is no large orchestra here—just Tony Bennett’s voice and Ralph Sharon’s piano. It is one of the singer’s most intimate and critically acclaimed works.
• "I Left My Heart In San Francisco" (1962) (CD2, tracks 13–24) — an absolute gem and the standout hit of this release. The title track brought Tony worldwide fame and two Grammy Awards, while the album itself achieved platinum status.
3. Bonus Tracks ("Plus")
In addition to the four albums, rare singles and bonus tracks from that era have been included:
• CD1 features rare recordings from 1959 and 1962 ("Climb Every Mountain" and "I Wanna Be Around").
• CD2 includes tracks from the UK release of the "Alone Together" EP ("Alone Together," "This Is All I Ask," "After You've Gone," "How Long Has This Been Going On"), recorded between 1960 and 1962.
4. Avid Records' Publishing Approach
Avid’s series are prized by collectors for their respectful treatment of the material:
• Sound: High-quality digital remastering of the original Columbia mono and stereo tapes. The sound is clean and spacious, free from aggressive modern compression.
• Booklet: Unlike impersonal streaming services, the printed booklet (a page of which you scanned) fully preserves the historical context. This includes the original cover art for all four albums, the original liner notes from the vinyl sleeves, and a comprehensive list of musicians (personnel).