So I know what most of you will think. Tony Bennett is a has-been. And even if in some circles he's a is-now, those are circles that your Americanized grandmother is more likely to appreciate.
But wait! Hold off your judgement for just one second, please.
Duets Part 2 is an album of collaborations. Which, I suspect, Tony Bennett made with the sole intention of becoming more relevant to a newer generation of listeners. And believe it or not, I think he took a decent shot. The artists he collaborates with include Faith Hill, Josh Groban, Norah Jones, Queen Latifah, Willie Nelson, Sheryl Crow, Aretha Franklin, Michael Buble, Amy Winehouse, John Mayer, Lady Gaga, Mariah Carey and Carie Underwood. That's a generation-relevant bunch by and large, wouldn't you say?
So I went into this album with an open mind and a little curiosity, to sample what one of swing music's greats had to offer. Here are my notes.
A warning to the uninitiated: Mr Bennett hasn't strayed away from his roots of jazz and swing. So if you're expecting him to break out in rhyme or collaborate with David Guetta, you'll be disappointed. This is toe-tapping, not head-banging music.
The highlights of this album are clearly the songs featuring the artists who are either most versatile or those who have an inherent niche in this style of music.
Falling into the second category is most obviously Michael Buble, who always seemed to me to be born a few musical generations too late. He brings in fantastic energy and swagger on "Don't Get Around Much Anymore". I've heard that song before, but loved this version.
Also, Ms Winehouse sounds so at home on "Body and Soul", it's as if she could have cut this track all on her own and headlined a new album. I'm a big fan, and her vocals in this song reminded of how fantastic she was. And John Mayer is a smooth cat on "One for My Baby and One for the Road", with his velvety voice oozing charm through the microphone.
The stand-out track of this album, however, is Lady Gaga on "Lady is a Tramp". If you only have patience to listen to one song, try this one. Her versatility amazes me - she honestly sounds as original and bold and engaging on this song as on Born This Way. How does she do it?! Listen out especially for her accent rendition of "Won't go to Harlem in 'iamonds and pearls"!), it tickled me.
Other can-listens include Norah Jones' song "Speak Low", which is cute and romantic in a throw-back kind of way, and "On the Sunny Side of the Street" with Willie Nelson, which makes you want to tap your toes.
The rest of the tracks are forgettable at best, painful at worst. I discovered that swing tends to go from up-beat to excruciatingly slow pretty fast. I found it best to avoid the Bocelli duet (far too soppy, predictable, and long-drawn out for my taste), the Josh Groban and Mariah Carey contributions (both a bit slow, but at least beautiful vocals by both heavy-weight contributors), and Queen Latifah's 'Who I Can Turn To' (which pretty much put me to sleep).
So, in sum: Is this is something you must go out and listen to now? No. But is this an easy way to sample a style of music you probably haven't before? Sure. There's enough really interesting stuff in this to justify a listen, particularly if you're of the more musically curious inclination.
But wait! Hold off your judgement for just one second, please.
Duets Part 2 is an album of collaborations. Which, I suspect, Tony Bennett made with the sole intention of becoming more relevant to a newer generation of listeners. And believe it or not, I think he took a decent shot. The artists he collaborates with include Faith Hill, Josh Groban, Norah Jones, Queen Latifah, Willie Nelson, Sheryl Crow, Aretha Franklin, Michael Buble, Amy Winehouse, John Mayer, Lady Gaga, Mariah Carey and Carie Underwood. That's a generation-relevant bunch by and large, wouldn't you say?
So I went into this album with an open mind and a little curiosity, to sample what one of swing music's greats had to offer. Here are my notes.
A warning to the uninitiated: Mr Bennett hasn't strayed away from his roots of jazz and swing. So if you're expecting him to break out in rhyme or collaborate with David Guetta, you'll be disappointed. This is toe-tapping, not head-banging music.
The highlights of this album are clearly the songs featuring the artists who are either most versatile or those who have an inherent niche in this style of music.
Falling into the second category is most obviously Michael Buble, who always seemed to me to be born a few musical generations too late. He brings in fantastic energy and swagger on "Don't Get Around Much Anymore". I've heard that song before, but loved this version.
Also, Ms Winehouse sounds so at home on "Body and Soul", it's as if she could have cut this track all on her own and headlined a new album. I'm a big fan, and her vocals in this song reminded of how fantastic she was. And John Mayer is a smooth cat on "One for My Baby and One for the Road", with his velvety voice oozing charm through the microphone.
The stand-out track of this album, however, is Lady Gaga on "Lady is a Tramp". If you only have patience to listen to one song, try this one. Her versatility amazes me - she honestly sounds as original and bold and engaging on this song as on Born This Way. How does she do it?! Listen out especially for her accent rendition of "Won't go to Harlem in 'iamonds and pearls"!), it tickled me.
Other can-listens include Norah Jones' song "Speak Low", which is cute and romantic in a throw-back kind of way, and "On the Sunny Side of the Street" with Willie Nelson, which makes you want to tap your toes.
The rest of the tracks are forgettable at best, painful at worst. I discovered that swing tends to go from up-beat to excruciatingly slow pretty fast. I found it best to avoid the Bocelli duet (far too soppy, predictable, and long-drawn out for my taste), the Josh Groban and Mariah Carey contributions (both a bit slow, but at least beautiful vocals by both heavy-weight contributors), and Queen Latifah's 'Who I Can Turn To' (which pretty much put me to sleep).
