TheGreatestThing reviews...
Cheek to Cheek
Tony Bennett & Lady Gaga
Before news of this album was reported in the media, I doubt anyone would guess that Gaga would one day release a jazz album with a legend in the industry. However, the the two both exceed all expectations on
Cheek to Cheek, with few reasons for complaint.
Vocals and instrumentals are a delight to hear on every track of the album. Bennett and Gaga perform each track with passion and excitement, even if the songs are not so. Gaga lets loose the Broadway-influenced jazz vocals inside her that have always wanted to be released. Tony, even after decades in music, clearly puts all of his heart into singing each song. The title track of the album, the upbeat "I Won't Dance", and the ethereal "Nature Boy" all demonstrate Bennett and Gaga's chemistry as a singing duo, even with over 60 years between them.
On the solo tracks, Bennett shows that he is only 88 years young, impressing with "Don't Wait for Me" and "Sophisticated Lady". Gaga holds her own as well, delivering an jazzy (almost tango-like) showstopper in Cher's "Bang Bang (My Baby Shot Me Down)" and masterfully scaling Ella Fitzgerald's notoriously difficult "Lush Life".
Also of note is the organization and structure of the album. The tracks seem very deliberately arranged, and to great sonic and thematic effect. The album provides relaxing, easy listening and clear, almost thematic shifts and continuances, most noticeably seen in the transition from "Lush Life" to "Sophisticated Lady".
This praise is not to imply that
Cheek to Cheek is perfect, though; the album does have its flaws. Due to its very nature as a cover album, Bennett and Gaga are performing songs that have been done by many before them, and often by many who have performed the song better. It also leaves the listener craving for novelty at points, wondering what happened to the Lady Gaga-penned "Paradise" and other original songs rumored to be on the album before its release.
And though each song is a prime selection from the Great American Songbook, filler seems to be a slight problem on
Cheek to Cheek. "Goody Goody", "Firefly" and to a lesser extent "They All Laughed" and "Let's Face the Music and Dance" all seem to be on the album to pad the length and provide little entertainment and substance.
Gaga's move into jazz was a daring one, and one she pulled off exceptionally well. The album brings each song to life remarkably well. The exceptional instrumentals form a skeleton for which Bennett and Gaga's vocals provide the meat (dress).
Cheek to Cheek is very good at what it's set out to do, but is limited from being a masterpiece by its own nature. I am looking forward to Bennett and Gaga's future ventures into jazz, and hope they provide just as much fun as this album and more.
7.8/10
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