Tony Bennett & Lady Gaga
Cheek to Cheek
(Columbia)

There’s something magical that happens when two talents come together to make music.  It’s almost always the case that something beautiful will blossom, and when it’s two talents from two different generations, there’s a different type of magic that emerges.  That’s exactly the case with Tony Bennett and Lady Gaga’s Cheek to Cheek.

Not to toot my own horn or claim myself as a genius when it comes  to music history, but I do consider myself very lucky when it comes to music knowledge.  Because of my late father’s love for all things standards, such as Sinatra, Martin, Williams, and Mr. Tony Bennett, I appreciate listening to those old school cats.  And being a Lady Gaga fan as well, this album is a perfect treat.

Cheek to Cheek starts with “Anything Goes,” a perfect opening, which is then followed by – what else? – “Cheek to Cheek,” a truly charming rendition of a classic.  This is followed by one of my personal all-time favorites, “Nature Boy,” which Bennett and Gaga beautifully cover.

There are many other covers that truly excite me to think that the young Gaga fans will be introduced to the legend that is Tony Bennett. “I Can’t Give You Anything But Love,” “Firefly,” and “Sophisticated Lady” are among them. Cheek to Cheek closes with “It Don’t Mean a Thing (If It Ain’t Got That Swing),” a perfect ending and another beauty. You could never imagine that two artists of two different generations and genres can meld together so beautifully, but that is the exact treat you will get from Cheek to Cheek.