Old Collection: Tony Bennett - Duets: An American Classic

At this point, who else but Tony Bennett would have the clout to round up stars on the scale of Elton John, Paul McCartney, Bono, Celine Dion and Barbra Streisand for some duets? (Note also that unlike some similar projects, all the parties involved on this CD were alive when it was recorded!) The material consists of relatively obvious classics in standard big-band arrangements, and Bennett himself is in top form at age 80, so much so that he doesn't need anybody else to handle "I Left My Heart in San Francisco." But the fun comes from checking out how his collaborators fare. The Dixie Chicks provide wonderful Andrews Sisters–type harmonies on the percolating version of "Lullaby of Broadway" that opens the festivities. The best songs tend to be the ones where Bennett's slightly craggy voice is juxtaposed to smooth female ones, like Diana Krall on "The Best Is Yet to Come," familiar accomplice k.d. lang on the sultry "Because of You" and Streisand—-perhaps Bennett's only equal in stature at this point—on "Smile." Among the less expected guests, soulman John Legend is a revelation on the hard-swinging "Sing, You Sinners," while George Michael confirms he’s quite the crooner on "How Do You Keep the Music Playing?" Elvis Costello, Celine Dion or Juanes don't sound as comfortable, and sometimes it feels as if they overdo it to compensate, but overall this collection is among the best of its kind, with most guests rising to the occasion

Track List:

1. LULLABY OF BROADWAY – duet with Dixie Chicks

2. SMILE – duet with Barbra Streisand

3. PUT ON A HAPPY FACE – duet with James Taylor

4. THE GOOD LIFE – duet with Billy Joel

5. THE SHADOW OF YOUR SMILE – duet with Juanes

6. RAGS TO RICHES – duet with Elton John

7. THE VERY THOUGHT OF YOU – duet with Paul McCartney

8. COLD, COLD HEART – duet with Tim McGraw

9. IF I RULED THE WORLD –duet with Celine Dion

10. THE BEST IS YET TO COME – duet with Diana Krall

11. FOR ONCE IN MY LIFE – duet with Stevie Wonder

12. ARE YOU HAVIN’ ANY FUN? – duet with Elvis Costello