So, Tony Bennett and Lady Gaga have been hanging out together. Singing some jazz standards. Laying down tracks. Making a collaborative album.
"Cheek to Cheek," released Sept. 23, is already causing a buzz.
The album will give Bennett's career "longevity" and the project will propel Lady Gaga to Broadway, movies and prestigious awards, proclaims Roger Freidman of showbiz411.com.
"The 28-year-old pop diva has impressive raw material - a supple, textured voice capable of evoking sensuality, tenderness and pain - and she and the 88-year-old Bennett enjoy a playful, sometimes poignant rapport," reports USA Today.
"It's not the first time they've worked together," notes NPR.org. The pair collaborated on "The Lady Is A Tramp" for Bennett's Grammy-winning album "Duets II."
That's one song. What made the two stars think their voices would blend well harmonically enough to carry an album full of songs?
"I think it's probably what a lot of people are thinking when they hear Tony Bennett wants to do a jazz album with Lady Gaga," says Gaga herself, according to npr.org, about the new project. "They say, 'Huh? What are you talking about?'"
"She's actually a very authentic jazz singer," declares Bennett. "She'll turn a phrase, she'll make it different, because of the moment that she's singing. And so, what happens is it keeps the songs alive; the interpretations become very intimate and everlasting."
There are 11 duets on the album, and a pair of solos for each singer, explains showbiz411's Freidman. He adds, "Gaga excels on 'Lush Life' by herself. Bennett takes a new crack at 'Sophisticated Lady,' and 'Don't Wait Too Long,' both of which he's done before. Let's face it, he's sung every standard over the last 60 plus years. But Tony never fails to bring new colors to songs each time he tries them."
"As for Gaga," continues Freidman, "this turn of events guarantees that she will be with us forever. Unlike Madonna, Gaga has about ten career possibilities. She'll be able to do anything she wants, especially Broadway, when her fan base ages out. Movie musicals? Why not? We are stuck with her, but in a good way. If she takes care of that voice, Lady Gaga will be getting a Kennedy Center honor and lots of other things 30 and 40 years from now."
