by Javi Lopez – EQ's resident Pop Culture Blogger
Let’s start off by reminding everyone (or letting everyone know) who Tony Bennett is: the jazz legend, fifteen times Grammy winner, two times winner of the Emmy award and chosen as one of NEA’s (National Endowment of the Arts) 2006 Jazz Master. He has sold over 50 million records worldwide but not only is he a star in the music industry, he’s also a serious painter who goes under the name of Benedetto and whose work is permanently publically displayed in several institutions. He’s also the founder of Frank Sinatra School of the Arts in Astoria, Queens.
Now that you have a little idea of who Tony is, I don’t think we should tell you who Lady Gaga is, right?
"The Lady Is A Tramp" is a song from 1937 originally sung by former child star Mitzi Green who was part of the cast of the musical Babes in Arms. The song itself is a spoof of New York’s high society and we notice this in the very first verse of the song ("She gets too hungry for dinner at eight"). Covered by several artists through the years, including: Frank Sinatra, Alice Cooper, Lily Allen and recently by the hit TV show Glee. The last take on this song is now by the jazz legend Tony Bennett and the controversial pop culture performer and singer Lady Gaga.
The song has that feeling of something you’ve heard before, probably because of Gaga’s vocals or the fact that it’s not really new, giving the fact that jazz is always present one way or another, mostly and lately movies based on musicals.
“She showed up in the most gorgeous dress I’ve ever seen on Elizabeth Taylor, or Marilyn Monroe or anybody. The most beautiful dress I’ve ever seen on a human being. I never saw a gown like that in my life.” – Tony Bennett on Lady Gaga.
Gaga’s voice blends perfectly with Tony, making it a pleasant experience. There’s a musical chemistry between both of them, almost to the point that is sounds like they’re flirting with each other. Basically the song is an ask and reply between the two, Tony sings a verse and Gaga sings another one, either replying to him or repeating what he sings. It’s definitely not a masterpiece and it’s nothing new but it’s great to see Lady Gaga’s versatility and how she sounds just as good in a jazz tune with no voice editing software involved.
If you’re a Little Monster you will surely love this, and if you’re not I bet you will find yourself admiting how different she sounds and probably you will end up humming this songs for a couple days, because to be honest the song is pretty catchy.
"The Lady Is A Tramp" is going to be featured in Tony Bennett’s upcoming album “Duets II” which is set to be released in conjunction to Bennett’s 85th birthday on september 20th and it’s a sequel to his previous duet album: "Duets: An American Classic".
Pre-order your own copy of "Tony Bennett: Duets II" from iTunes HERE
OFFICIAL TRACKLISTING:
1. The Lady Is A Tramp with Lady Gaga
2. One For My Baby (And One More For The Road) with John Mayer
3. Body And Soul with Amy Winehouse
4. Don't Get Around Much Anymore with Michael Bublé
5. Blue Velvet with k.d. Lang
6. How Do You Keep The Music Playing with Aretha Franklin
7. The Girl I Love with Sheryl Crow
8. On The Sunny Side of the Street with Willie Nelson
9. Who Can I Turn To (When Nobody Needs Me) with Queen Latifah
10. Speak Low with Norah Jones
11. This Is All I Ask with Josh Groban
12. Watch What Happens with Natalie Cole
13. Stranger In Paradise with Andrea Bocelli
14. The Way You Look Tonight with Faith Hill
15. Yesterday I Heard The Rain with Alejandro Sanz
16. It Had To Be You with Carrie Underwood
17. When Do The Bells Ring For Me with with Mariah Carey