★ ★ ★ ★ 1/2 out of 5
It may seem like one of the strangest pairings when read on paper, but once you hear the magical chemistry between legendary jazz crooner Tony Bennett and provocative pop artist Lady Gaga, their latest duet album, Cheek To Cheek, won't have people scratching their heads for long. Both Italian-Americans from New York City dive into the Great American Songbook for a modern interpretation of true classic numbers.
Preceded by singles "Anything Goes" and "I Can't Give You Anything But Love", Bennett and Gaga trade off romantic verses as the 60-year age difference between the two vocalists completely vanishes. While everyone will quickly recognize Gaga for her avant-garde fashion and crazy live performances, Bennett takes the singers under his guidance as she delivers some of the best vocal performances of her entire career. Though 88 years old, Bennett also shows he still has what it takes to make it big in Hollywood.
Chosen as the project's lead single, "Anything Goes", an iconic Cole Porter song from 1934, seems to have been written for Gaga's over-the top lifestyle in today's society. "And though I'm not a great romancer, I know that you're bound to answer when we propose, anything goes," Gaga and Bennett sing on the conservative, adorable, tongue-in-cheek offering about how the world has definitely changed since the days of the jazz greats.
Gaga delicately croons the iconic opening line to "Cheek To Cheek", the 1935 jazz staple found in a film starring Fred Astaire. For the first few verses of the lovely track Bennett and Gaga are heard going at it solo until they finally come together with glorious performances. The entire moment all boils down to the last few seconds where both artists seem to just be having a great time working with each other in the recording booth.
"Don't Wait Too Long", originally written in 1962 by Sunny Skylar, is easily one of the newest cuts on the album. The song opens with Bennett declaring how he and Gaga are complete opposites, however, the legend still sings of patiently waiting for the pop artist as long as she doesn't wait too long. Bennett does tackle this soft number alone and is able to showcase his suave charm and incredible voice.
Second single "I Can't Give You Anything But Love" is a throwback track with Gaga and Bennett playing the roles of two lovestruck individuals and even give the song a small update by incorporating each other's names. "Dream a while, scheme a while you're sure to find, happiness and I guess all the things you've always pined for," Gaga romantically sings. The brass horns are overpowering yet welcomed and the chemistry is clearly evident on this new version.
The legendary Nat King Cole originally made "Nature Boy" a hit, but Bennett and Gaga make sure its beauty continues to live on. Released prior to the album, Gaga handles a few verses alone with a sense of vulnerability and delicacy as Bennett confidently glides through the notes, making for the perfect collaboration. It ultimately becomes one of the album's more touching and show-stopping additions.
From 1936, "Goody Goody" is an uptempo tune that features Bennett tackling the bittersweet lyrics as Gaga interjects at times with her responses to Tony's accusations. It's a fun ride hearing the two icons bicker with each other in a delightful, harmless way, a true sense of their collaborative nature shines on the effort. At only two minutes, the song still packs a pleasant punch.
For the first time on the album, Gaga tackles a song on her own. "Ev'ry Time We Say Goodbye" is another jazz classic written by Cole Porter in 1944. Gaga has released some slow, somber ballads in her career (see "Brown Eyes", "Speechless" and "Dope"), but never really using this low of a register with her breathtaking voice. When listeners hear the artist in this way, they'd wonder why she ever did pop music to begin with.
Though originally written by Cy Coleman, "Firefly" was eventually popularized by Bennett himself many years later, alongside Kermit the Frog (whudda thunk?). The two artists trade verses about their desire to latch on to a person who brightens things up wherever they go. As one of the shortest track off the collaborative album, the song still does a great job at highlighting the love between Bennett and Gaga.
Teased prior to the album's release, "I Won't Dance" is an energetic song that throws out mixed signals to both parties involved in this love affair. "We know that music leads the way to romance, so if I hold you in my arms, I won't dance," the pair sings. Seems when you've found the love of your life, dancing is the last thing on your mind... Bennett, you sly dog. Both handle the track well, before it comes to and end with Bennett getting the final word.
"They All Laughed", previously covered by Fred Astaire, Frank Sinatra and Ella Fitzgerald, is a comical piece that references past technological advances and how people thought they could never be accomplished. The airplane, the cotton gin, the Hershey bar are all compared to the love two people share that others thought would never last. Short, simple, cute and very touching.
Gaga is all alone again on "Lush Life" as she wonders around after a night of failed romances, filling the void with cocktails and jazz. "Now life is awful again, and the thoughtful of heart, could only be a bore," the singer confesses on one of the slowest numbers on the track list. This is the moment when Gaga can prove critics wrong and shine in a completely new capacity. She definitely succeeds on this tragic masterpiece.
Bennett then steps up to the plate solo with "Sophisticated Lady", a standard he has already recorded in the past. Accompanied by a simple piano, the 88-year-old shows no signs of slowing down, or winning over countless ladies, with his strong, enduring rendition. While it may not be the greatest moment on the album, it's impressive to hear a legend still doing what he does best... melt hearts.
Another Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers duet is heard with "Let's Face the Music and Dance". The track is fun, fast-paced and filled to the brim with brass horn as Gaga and Bennett put a little more funk in their vocal performances. The two-minute song is dance-heavy, well dance in a 1930s definition, but it's nice to see a change in pace following two personal, slow ballads.
"Love is funny or it's sad, it's quiet or it's mad," Bennett opens on "But Beautiful", definitely one of the brightest efforts that truly shows the two artists on the same page during the recording process. The song has a fairytale-like quality to it, could surely find success on today's radio airwaves and is a perfect example of why true chemistry is needed to sell a duet. Lyrics and vocals are spot on and Gaga has never sounded more happy.
The deluxe edition of the new album closes with "It Don't Mean a Thing (If It Ain't Got That Swing)", an effort everyone should be familiar with. Gaga and Bennett throw in some improvisations, but ultimately it is still the classic, featured in many films and commercials, that jazz lovers have come to enjoy. The instrumentals may steal the spotlight from the artists for a quick minute, however, it's the perfect closing for the two of them.
Those smart enough will purchase the album through iTunes to get Gaga's impeccable cover of Cher's "Bang Bang (He Shot Me Down)". Though not necessarily a jazz original, the "Poker Face" singer gives the classic a little shake up. Picture the artist singing this in a piano bar with tears rolling down her cheeks and try not to be moved. Cher and Nancy Sinatra made the song forever memorable, but Gaga definitely holds her on.
Cheek To Cheek was an album which immediately confused fans and critics when first announced, it will surely divide, and maybe alienate, her fan base once again, but this is the best album the two artists could have released. Gaga has immersed herself in jazz music since she was 13, Bennett is one of the artists who has commanded the impressive genre for decades. No matter their age difference, the two performers bring their A-game to this collection of jazz staples from the Great American Songbook, songs that will live on forever. If Gaga and Bennett's goal was to educate the younger generations, then consider it a job well done. We will look at the release, a week before the Grammy consideration deadline, as a mere coincidence.
Tracks to Hear: "Cheek To Cheek", "Nature Boy", "Lush Life" and "But Beautiful"
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