By Ginia Bellafante

Nothing boosts a career like a good word from the Chairman of the Board. Just ask Tony Bennett. Nearly 30 years ago, undisputed swing king Frank Sinatra named Bennett his favorite singer, the best in the business that boasted the silky seductive sounds of Mel Torme and Perry Como. "He doubled my audience," remarks Bennett. "Sinatra's always been warm and wonderful to me." So now it's time to thank Frank, the right way: with a tribute album. On Perfectly Frank, the 66-year-old Queens-bred crooner belts out 24 Sinatra classics, including gems like Night and Day and I've Got the World on a String. Says Bennett of Ol' Blue Eyes: "He's given us the most mature popular music ever written." Bennett will further extend his gratitude with a Perfectly Frank tour beginning in New York City next week.