 "Wonderful" | 2008-09-30 |
| - Reviewed By User: A2VMSHDKWSRYV6 |
| I love the duet concept records and I am a big k.d. Lang fan and when I heard this record was coming out I was very excited. A wonderful combination of voices singing classics, and the title track makes this record perfect. I was not a big Tony Bennett fan beforehand, but became one because of this. |
| |
| "The Music Stays With Us" | 2008-06-16 |
| - Reviewed By User: A3RNP5X8ZGZIEI |
"A Wonderful World,"(2002), a collection of duets by Tony Bennett and K.D. Lang, to songs inspired by the legendary New Orleans trumpeter Louis Armstrong, included "What a Wonderful World," "Exactly Like You," and "You Can Depend on Me." It was produced by the near-legendary T Bone Burnett, and includes trumpet work by Scott Hamilton. Of course, in 2002, the New York-born crooner was 76 years old; and his voice was not what it once was: but still, the embers of it, with its liquidity, smoothness, intonation and phrasing are enough to cast his light upon the world. Critic Howard Garwood wrote of him, "He has the face you'd want on your neighborhood bar owner - seamed, rumpled, and infinitely kind.... It's the face of a man who has seen life and triumphed, and who proclaims his joy of living through one of the best sets of pipes in the business."
And as for K.D. Lang's voice, 2002 found it still in top form. It's a thing of unearthly, silken beauty, a voice that comes along only once in a generation: in her case, from Alberta, Canada. I remember seeing her once on late night television, early in her career, wearing the silliest cowgirl outfit and hopping up and down, and wishing I could tell her that with her voice, she didn't need to hop, she could leave that to Herman's Hermits. Of course, I couldn't, but she seems to have figured it out, anyway.
The title song, as done by this pair, boasts all the colors of the rainbow. And some of the quieter ballads are still waters running deep, indeed. Just listen, to say, "La Vie En Rose," or "If We Never Meet Again."
I am lucky enough to have seen this pair present this repertory in person, at New York's Radio City Music Hall, in the most striking of circumstances, to wit: late September, 2001, about two weeks after the 9/11 destruction of the World Trade Center, and so much of downtown Manhattan. I already had my ticket, and anxiously watched the paper to see if they would keep the date: they did, and so did I. So did most of the ticket holders, I believe: there were empty seats, but not that many. Took ages to get through security, of course. You can believe that emotions ran high in that theater, on stage and in the audience: you could describe it as a love-in. And as for the music that came from that stage - it was simply blessed, and unforgettable. Lucky for all of us, the music, so evanescent in live performance, stays with us on this cd.
|
| |
 "Tony, it's over...." | 2008-05-31 |
| - Reviewed By petekoch3 |
Listening to Bennett on this CD is like listening to post-1965 Sinatra. They're both just faking it, but, due to their iconic status, they get away with it. On this CD, Lang just plain carries Tony, which is the only reason I gave it 2 stars.
Take a pass on this one and the 'Duets' album; age has caught up with Bennett. Instead, give a listen to 'Fifty Years: The Artistry of Tony Bennett'. Hearing his early material will make the deterioration in Bennett's voice quite obvious and make you wonder if it's really the same vocalist.
Time marches on and it's cruel what it has done to Bennett's range, but, thankfully, the great work of his early and middle years is still around.... |
| |
 "not as good as expected" | 2008-03-22 |
| - Reviewed By keila48 |
| I ordered this CD thinking it would be as good as the 49th Parallel Cd of hers-it is not-I was disappointed-did not care for Tony Bennett that much- |
| |
| "What an absolute pleasure" | 2008-01-23 |
| - Reviewed By mariobarnard |
| The voices of Tony and KD go so well together. What an absolute pleasure to listen to the songs on this CD! |
| |
 "mellow and solid" | 2007-10-23 |
| - Reviewed By efanshel |
| i like mellow music, but i like it full bodied . this is a very fine record. i'm not a big fan of the recent duet phase we're all going through but this one is a good idea that is also well executed. a good cd to have in your car. |
| |
| "Tony & k.d." | 2007-05-07 |
| - Reviewed By User: A2XYDED7RRTF03 |
| Tony delivers his usual high standard performance, uniquely matched by k.d. whose voice is as mooth as a baby's bottom. Their blend is one no one would've thought to put together, but it works--it REALLY works. Even in light on TB's new albumn of duets, this older one is one of the best. |
| |
| "The Odd Couple Making Perfect Music Together" | 2007-03-17 |
| - Reviewed By billsheasf |
| Tony Bennett and k.d. lang. Whooda thunk? Obviously they both knew they clicked when they sang together on Tony's earlier CD of duets. Thank the Lord for the follow up. This is probably one of the most beautiful duets CDs I've ever heard. Hell, it's probably the most beautiful CD I've ever heard. Period. There is a chemistry between these two that is magical, soulful, playful, loving and serious all at the same time. Two great singers. Two great interpreters. Not a bad song on the CD. Musical perfection! Ya also gotta love Tony for paying a heartfelt spoken tribute on the A Wonderful World cut to the muse behind this venture, Louis Armstrong. |
| |
| "A Wonderful World - Tony Bennett and K.D. Lang" | 2007-02-21 |
| - Reviewed By User: A2AR8RRQM94USF |
| This album is smooth, elegant and professional. The songs are are straight from the American Songbook. These two singers were meant to be together. You can actually hear it in their voices; they are having fun and enjoy singing this music together. If you like good music that is performed by two great artists, add this album to your collection. |
| |
| "Easy listening fare" | 2007-02-16 |
| - Reviewed By patadeoro |
| I thought this was an odd pairing that might not work but I was definitely wrong. The reworkings of Louis Armstrong classics are timeless interpretations. K.D.Lang sounds as if she has been singing this type of music for decades. Naturally Tony Bennet is flawless with his silky smooth vocals remisniscent of Sinatra and a bygone era. The arrangements are quite nice, with great piano solos accompanied by horns that play in unison or dart out in solos with strings that soothe the savage beast. This is soft piano romantic music that does not require imagination, just two people in the mood for love. "I'm Confessin'(That I love you)" is a song that fits into the groove just mentioned. The give and take playful interplay between Lang and Bennet is right on time and comes across naturally. At times Lang sounds like another jazz songbird, Keely Smith. On possibly the most recognized Sachmo song and title track, "What a Wonderful World" there is a depth to the interpretation that transcends the original song. It is as though they concurr with Sachmo and want to honor his memory with a beautiful redo of his classic by making it even better. This is music for a quiet night to be with someone special, where you don't want the music to intefere with your romance but rather to enhace the mood. Get this disc, turn down the lights and listen to the songs over a nice candlelight dinner for a real treat. |
| |
International Available
