Really? I thought as I glanced at the catchy cover of “Cheek to Cheek,” the new CD released by none other than Lady Gaga and Tony Bennett. “Someone’s got to be kidding” was my first reaction to this unusual collaboration of talent, The two a universe apart musically. Ok, this curiously deserves a listen! so I loaded the CD into my vehicle’s sound system and was instantly flawed by the sounds that eminated from the speakers.
At age 88, Tony Bennett still has it. Whereas most people his age can barely speak, his ageless voice belts out the songs on the album as clear and sexy as he did ages ago. Gaga seemed a natural fit as she lustfully and seductively illustrates the genre of jazz. The sensual clarity in her voice adds lust and animation to the songs our parents and grandparents enjoyed in the past. I believe the intention of “Cheek to Cheek” was so that the younger generation might learn to appreciate the jazz appeal.
I was surprised to learn that “Cheek to Cheek” was not the first time the vivacious Lady Gaga and the iconic Tony Bennett has teamed up. In 2011, Gaga and Bennett did a track on his “Duets” album.
All of the songs on the album are familiar covers that have been passed down through time. Gaga’s vocals in “Nature Boy” are hauntingly incredible, while “I Can’t Give Anything But Love” is a bluesy, upbeat rendition of the song. “It Don’t Mean A Thing (If It Ain’t Got That Swing)” is cute and sassy. “Anything Goes” and “Cheek to Cheek” are also upbeat tunes. The album itself is romantic and quite reminiscent of songs you might be familiar with or heard as a small child. The entire album is clearly a romantic voyage through time itself.
My one request is that I would love to hear Tony Bennett and Lady Gaga sing “Telephone” together on their next endeavor!
