Review: Tony Bennett & Lady Gaga – Cheek To Cheek

This September, the charming legend, Tony Bennett, and provocative pop star, Lady Gaga, released their duets album Cheek To Cheek, a collaborative project that fashions the two entertainers together in an unexpected way. The ultimate 21st century odd couple, you may be tempted to think of a Bennett-Gaga collaboration as utterly bizarre given his cool elegance juxtaposed with her flamboyant avant-garde outrageousness. But the two Italian New Yorkers are kindred spirits in a May-December sort of way, and have the most natural chemistry that lends itself to a work of art for the ages. Cheek To Cheek recreates many of the Great American Songbook standards that have brought Bennett fame throughout his 65-year career. Known for being over the top as an entertainer, critics of Lady Gaga have diminished her talent as a vocalist, saying that she is all spectacle with no substance, further arguing that specatularism has masked whatever talent she may have. But Tony Bennett’s opinion may trump all of that. Claiming that he’s never met a performer who is more intelligent about what to do as an entertainer than Lady Gaga, the legendary crooner has called Gaga the Picasso of the music world. The idea of performing with her became appealing after hearing her sing during a charity event in 2011, and he offered to do an entire record with the cabaret savoir-faire that has marked his career.

Recording the album was a live, organic experience. Backed by a full jazz ensemble that included seasoned musicians from both the Bennett and Gaga camp, Mr. Bennett thinks Lady Gaga “sings wonderfully”, appreciating her knack for improvisation. Having studied the jazz art form all of her life, the most important thing to Lady Gaga with this project is that the audience recognizes her authentic jazz voice. On songs like “Lush Life” and “Nature Boy” you are surprised by her soft control and subtle delivery, traits that Gaga is not known for with all of her shock value resonance. She opens up with more power and charismatic phrasing on songs like the title track “Cheek To Cheek”. Many of the timeless, whimsical classics are full of spunk and life including “Anything Goes”, “Goody Goody” and “They All Laughed”. On other songs like “I Can’t Give You Anything But Love” and “Ev’ry Time We Say Goodbye” Lady Gaga reverts back to her pop vocals styling with the kind of runs that are less suited for jazz. “Sophisticated Lady” may be the one song where Tony Bennett falls flat, though it has the grit and authority that comes with an entertainer of his caliber. Creatively, however, the two have something genuine and undeniable with this project, and it’s definitely worth a listen, maybe even on vinyl, or better yet, live in concert.

 
Written by Mai Perkins

Originally from Los Angeles, Mai Perkins is currently living a decade long bona fide love affair with NYC and the music that keeps its spirit moving. Many of her adventures around the globe are documented on her blog: Mai On The Move! www.MaiOnTheMove.com

 
Author’s rating for Cheek To Cheek

Pop Magazine’s official rating for Cheek To Cheek

Rating key
MASTERPIECE a must-have
SUPERB for heavy rotation
EXCELLENT a great achievement
VERY GOOD a respectable result
GOOD worth checking out
FAIR an average outcome
WEAK not convincing stuff
BAD an underwhelming effort
VERY BAD quite a waste
FAIL a total failure