A lot of singers, by age 80, would be showing obvious signs of decline. Not Tony Bennett. The spry octogenarian continues to sing with that infectious, swaggery charm that endeared him to fans forty years ago. With DUETS, Bennett proves not only that he can still croon with the best of 'em, but that his reputation as a first rate performer continues to precede him. The album presents a collection of his biggest and most recognizable hits ("Lullaby of Broadway," "Put On a Happy Face," etc.), sung in collaboration with big-name artists like Paul McCartney, Celine Dion, Elton John, Bono, Tim McGraw, Michael Buble, Stevie Wonder and many more. His arrangements favor a classic big band sound, with romantic strings, piano and bass fleshing out the backdrop. Another plus is that each of the guest singers recorded the tunes live in the studio with Bennett (rather than recording the parts separately and splicing them together), and you can sense the chemistry between the artists as a result.
1. Lullaby Of Broadway (Duet with Dixie Chicks) 3:05
2. Smile (duet with Barbra Streisand) 4:39
3. Put On A Happy Face (duet with James Taylor) 3:15
4. The Very Thought Of You (duet with Paul McCartney) 4:03
5. The Shadow Of Your Smile (duet with Juanes) 4:32
6. Rags To Riches (duet with Elton John) 2:40
7. The Good Life (duet with Billy Joel) 3:22
8. Cold, Cold Heart (duet with Tim McGraw) 3:15
9. If I Ruled The World (duet with Celine Dion) 2:56
10. The Best Is Yet To Come (duet with Diana Krall) 3:41
11. For Once In My Life (duet with Stevie Wonder) 3:22
12. Are You Havin' Any Fun? (duet with Elvis Costello) 2:45
13. Because Of You (duet with k.d. lang) 4:04
14. Just In Time (duet with Michael Bublé) 2:19
15. The Boulevard of Broken Dreams (duet with Sting) 3:22
16. I Wanna Be Around... (duet with Bono) 3:02
17. Sing You Sinners (duet with John Legend) 2:18
18. I Left My Heart In San Francisco 3:55
19. How Do You Keep The Music Playing? (duet with George Michael) 5:25
A lot of singers, by age 80, would be showing obvious signs of decline. Not Tony Bennett. The spry octogenarian continues to sing with that infectious, swaggery charm that endeared him to fans forty years ago. With DUETS, Bennett proves not only that he can still croon with the best of 'em, but that his reputation as a first rate performer continues to precede him. The album presents a collection of his biggest and most recognizable hits ("Lullaby of Broadway," "Put On a Happy Face," etc.), sung in collaboration with big-name artists like Paul McCartney, Celine Dion, Elton John, Bono, Tim McGraw, Michael Buble, Stevie Wonder and many more. His arrangements favor a classic big band sound, with romantic strings, piano and bass fleshing out the backdrop. Another plus is that each of the guest singers recorded the tunes live in the studio with Bennett (rather than recording the parts separately and splicing them together), and you can sense the chemistry between the artists as a result.
