Cheeky collaboration succeeds
Tony Bennett and Lady Gaga
Cheek to Cheek
Universal Music Thailand
Many people were skeptical about how Cheek to Cheek would turn out, since Lady Gaga is a mainstream pop artist, while Tony Bennett is a long-established jazz crooner. However, on what seems like the most contradictory pairing album imaginable, listeners can sense the friendship that developed between the two wildly different singers. The end result is a light-hearted, foot-tapping reminder that jazz isn’t going to die anytime soon.
The album is built on traditional jazz roots, with syncopated rhythms and catchy choruses throughout. Lady Gaga, who actually started out as a jazz singer, sounds happy to veer off from her usual synthesised sounds.
Throughout most of Cheek to Cheek, the upbeat swing keeps the album playful and carefree, never taking itself too seriously. But when the tempo slows down, listeners get to experience the undeniable talent of both singers. When Bennett’s show tune voice is accompanied by Gaga’s harmonies, the overall cheerfulness that the performers were aiming for is reinforced.
Fans of jazz and traditional pop music should be able to respect the hard work, talent and courage that the two stars put into the making of the highly enjoyable Cheek to Cheek. — DW
Vocabulary
- skeptical (adj): having doubts that a claim or statement is true or that something will happen
crooner (n): a male singer who sings slow romantic songs
contradictory (adv): containing or showing a lack of agreement between opinions, actions, etc.
synthesise (v): to produce sounds, music, etc. using electronic equipment
reinforce (v): to make a feeling, an idea, etc. stronger
