Tony Bennett's our third greaestt singer (after Aretha and George Jones), and absolute genius live but oh my god am I sick of the great American songbook. This is where I jump ship. If there is nobody around who can write new standards (Micheal Buble -who he duets with here, might), perhaps Bennett should stay with touring because Duets II is for the most part an inert drag.
Based upon the Gospel according to ol' Blue Eyes, Bennett sings with a younger (except for Willie Nelson) generation on all the songs you've heard so many times, it probably leaves you as numb as it leaves me.
Three exceptions, people have expressed disappointment with the Amy Winehouse duet on "Body And Soul" but, perhaps of our feelings for Amy at the moment, I consider it an entirely moving piece of work.
The second is a swinging "The Lady Is Tramp" with Stefanibrimming with sass and energy and taking a chucking Tony with her.
And the final hit, kd lang, who can really just sing like fuck, matches up so well with tony on an overorchestrated but still powerful "Blue Velvet"
And the rest?
Even Michael buble (Prince American Standard) can't save a misconceived "Don't Get Around Much Anymore" which swings for the rafters on a song which shouldn't and misses. And the rest of this mediocre mish mosh does the exact same thing.
Wilie Nelson, Faith Hill, Aretha Franklin (no, honestly, it doesn't work), Josh groban, on and on they go in concentric circles of bland.
Bennett needs a new gameplan. This ain't working.
Grade: C+