Tony Bennett, approaching the end of a joyful performance, again pronounces Birmingham's Symphony Hall as 'the best concert hall in the world', writes Phil Barnett.

The sold-out audience clap and smile. But we know the drill. Artists make such false platitudes at every arena, stadium or concert hall they play at, be it a pub function room in Bognor or Caesar's Palace in Las Vegas. Uncle Tone is old school, though.

Yes, his charm and hyperbole is part of his legend. But he's also a man of substance. To prove his point, he promptly discards the microphone and proceeds to bang out the classic 'Fly Me To The Moon' with absolutely no amplification, to showcase not only his age-defying vocal chords but crucially to emphasise the unrivaled acoustics of this city's much-adored hall.

When 'The Tony Bennett Quartet' performed a 15-minute jamming session by way of a prelude to the show, it perhaps did not bode well. To the untrained ear of a 'neutral' rather than a keen Bennett fan or jazz aficionado, it dragged.

The man himself, still sprightly for a gentleman of his 88 years, eventually shuffled onto the stage. Hair not so slick these days and the suit fitted more for comfort than style, the voice remains, as does the star quality.

The likes of Bennett and his contemporaries, including Frank Sinatra and the Rat Pack, were never renowned for their operatic techniques. The style, the charm and the delivery were as crucial to their appeal as their voices. And so it is with Bennett.

High notes are few and far between in his songs but the lungs were clearly in full working order in Birmingham and the audience of well over 2,000 were clearly enchanted. There are so many hits to choose from but unsurprisingly the set list was admirably balanced, with the likes of Stranger in Paradise, Steppin' Out With My Baby and Someone Who Cares obvious highlights.

The usual nod to his old friend Sinatra remained, with appreciative performances of The Best Is Yet To Come and The Way You Look Tonight. One can't help wondering after such a marvelous night whether you will have the chance to see Bennett perform again.

Age catches up with everyone. But after an evening of shuffling, dancing, charming and serenading, Anthony Dominick Benedetto showed there's plenty of life in the old dog yet. See you next time, Uncle Tone