Matti P Tony Bennett (August 3, 1926 – July 21, 2023) made an impressively long career of high quality. He is, in my opinion, the only major male vocalist in the entertainment category to rival Frank Sinatra in importance. Sad to say he hasn't been reviewed here before. My choice is his decond "Duets" album. In his later years he was keen on performing together with well-known contemporary artists. In addition to the albums with a wide selection of duet partners on a song by song basis, he made whole duet-oriented albums with k. d. lang, Lady Gaga and Diana Krall. Undoubtedly Amy Winehouse, featured on this set, would have been on his Wanted list, but she died in 2011.

This is the second Tony Bennett duet album I've listened to completely, the first one being Love Is Here to Stay (2018) with Diana Krall, which I quickly ran through some time earlier and didn't like at all. I do appreciate Krall highly, too, but their mutual album had such a worn-out set of George Gershwin standards (e.g. 'Nice Work if You Can Get It', 'I Got Rhythm', 'They Can't Take That Away from Me' and so on) performed in an old-fashioned, light-hearted way.

Therefor I was all the more happily surprised to realize I had a pretty good time with Duets II. Undoubtedly the biggest kudos goes to the producer maestro Phil Ramone -- who passed away in 2013. The production of each well chosen song is perfectly tailored for the singers with various backgrounds and styles, and also the cast itself is delicious in its variety: from other elder legends such as Aretha Franklin and Willie Nelson to the fairly young popular artists such as Lady Gaga, Michael Bublé, Cheryl Crow or Norah Jones.

Tony Bennett himself was indeed an ideal duet partner, always capable of creating a warm and happy atmosphere with whoever he was singing with. 'One for My Baby' feat. John Mayer suitably resembles a spontaneous bar stool dialogue. One of my faves is 'Blue Velvet' featuring the fantastic deep sensualism of k.d. lang. 'Stranger in Paradise' features Andrea Bocelli whose passionate, operatic approach suits the song.

This 63-minute set is definitely representing the cream of Various Artists oriented duet albums, and an excellent work from a legendary artist in the age of 85. R.I.P., Tony Bennett.