The legendary American singer Tony Bennett, the adherer of the classical pop-music, which was formed in the beginning and in the middle of previous century, pleased listeners with his brand new studio attempt. That performer does not really need to be introduced – he had started singing in his childhood and all his life he has never separated with the music. Many genres convolved within his songs – jazz, traditional pop-music and swing. These are exactly the compositions that are associated for many people with old movies about the United States. They may be major, very bright and festive songs or on the contrary, slow and sad love ballads. This way or another, Tony Bennett deserved the right to be considered the master of that genre, after all. The singer got the popularity during the fifties, however later the rebel rock’n’roll began to bloom, so the traditional pop stepped back a little bit. Well, everyone knows that the fashion is cyclic, while the creativity does not know the definition of time at all. Thereby in eighties Bennett’s songs became incredibly called-for once again. And it was not such a big surprise, by the way. Tony released the duet album titled Duets: An American Classic in 2006 and it turned out to be so successful that it was decided to prepare its continuation. Please, meet Duets II!
Some things simply cannot lose its magic or lose its importance. Especially if these things are part of the world of music. Exactly that kind of music is presented on Bennett’s new record – that music is alive and it is truly real. The singer had been working on that creation alongside with various performers, that is why it is extremely interesting to listen to. The album’s very first song The Lady Is A Tramp was recorded with flamboyant Lady GaGa, who perfectly fitted the atmosphere. The duo with John Mayer - One For My Baby (And One More For The Road) is a bit slower composition, which prepares listeners for the really calm and lamentable song called Body And Soul that was recorded with now-deceased Amy Winehouse. You will find plenty of well-known names on the album: Josh Groban, Mariah Carey, Sheryl Crow, Queen Latifah and many others made their contribution to the creation of that fairy enchanting long play. Soft sound, elaborated arrangements and a good number of excellent voices played their role – the record’s atmosphere brings listeners to the epoch of swing and jazz blossom.
The number of digital effects, which are commonly used in the recording studios nowadays amounts to hundreds. But help of computer and tons of software is not necessary if one wants to write a good song. That was proved by maestro Bennett once again – with the help of many talented musicians. The soft sound of double-bass, the grand piano melody, accompaniment of wind-instruments and amazing voice – that is enough for creation of an outstanding composition. Speak Low, Watch What Happens and other tracks are the best proofs of that. Also the fact that Duets II peaked at the very top of Billboard 200 chart cannot be ignored as soon as it demonstrates the listeners’ interest in Tony’s new album. Well, that could not be any other way, actually. All in all, two albums of duets turned out to be extremely successful. Let us hope that Tony Bennett will like the idea of recording one more long play of that kind. Duets: Parts Three – why not?
Duets: An American Classic
Showroom Of Compassion 2011
Its sixth studio work Showroom Of Compassion is similar to and at the same time different from all Cake's previous material. Wordplay, metaphors and unexpected rhymes still prevail in lyrics and sound so tasteful in John McCrea’s performance
