Tony Bennett - Duets II

Tony Bennett has been called the epitome of cool and one of the best friends the American songbook ever had. The legendary singer’s interpretations of the works of Cole Porter, Irving Berlin and Rodgers & Hart made him a household name in the 1950s and ’60s. Unlike all of his peers, Bennett maintained his popularity in subsequent decades, appealing to younger audiences through collaborations with artists like Elvis Costello and Canada’s k.d. lang.

Now a remarkable 85 years young, Bennett—who’s recorded 70 albums and won 15 Grammy Awards in his career—shows no sign of stopping. This week, after he performs at New York’s Metropolitan Opera House, a special 85th birthday dinner will take place, hosted by Alec Baldwin and featuring a performance by Sir Elton John. To top it off, Bennett is releasing Duets II, the followup to his best-selling CD Duets. The sequel pairs him with the biggest names in music, including Lady Gaga, Amy Winehouse in the last recording before her death, and Michael Bublé, who calls Bennett “an icon who's still doing what he does better than anyone else.”

Duets II features partners from the worlds of pop-opera (Andrea Bocelli, Josh Groban), country (Willie Nelson, Carrie Underwood) and soul and r&b (Aretha Franklin, Mariah Carey). Bennett sounds invigorated by the range of collaborators. Singing with k.d. lang on “Blue Velvet,” he caresses the lyrics with impeccable phrasing. He and Amy deliver a distinctive “Body and Soul,” while his exchange with Gaga on “The Lady is a Tramp” is the ultimate showstopper: playful, energetic and full of Bennett’s characteristic swing.