Duets II

Tony Records His Classic Hits with the Biggest Stars – Including the late Amy Winehouse, Lady Gaga, Norah Jones and Willie Nelson among other stellar musicians. American icon Tony Bennett will celebrate his 85th birthday this year with a new CD, “Tony Bennett: Duets II” which will be released on September 19th. Bennett began the live recording process with several artists during Grammy week in February at LA’s famed Capitol Studios. “Duets II,” produced by Phil Ramone follows up “Tony Bennett Duets: An American Classic” CD, the 2006 Grammy winning best selling CD which became Bennett’s best selling recording to date. Alone Tony Bennett is legendary. In partnership with another singer, he’s extraordinary. A sterling all-star roster joined Tony in the studio including Mariah Carey, Natalie Cole, Sheryl Crow, Norah Jones and the late Amy Winehouse. Singer Tony Bennett recorded the classic pop standard “Body And Soul,” with Amy Winehouse at Abbey Road Studios in London this past March. The following is Tony Bennett's statement on the passing of Amy Winehouse: “Amy Winehouse was an artist of immense proportions and I am deeply saddened to learn of her tragic passing. She was an extraordinary musician with a rare intuition as a vocalist and I am truly devastated that her exceptional talent has come to such an early end. She was a lovely and intelligent person and when we recorded together she gave a soulful and extraordinary performance. I was honored to have the opportunity to sing with her. It had been my sincere hope that she would be able to overcome the issues she was battling and I send my deepest sympathy to her father Mitchell, her entire family and all of those who loved her.” Some of country’s biggest names have joined the round-up including Faith Hill, Willie Nelson and Carrie Underwood. From the international pantheon: angel-voiced tenor Andrea Bocelli from Italy and Latino singer-songwriter Alejandro Sanz from Spain. Josh Groban and John Mayer also collaborated with Bennett. Michael Bublé and k.d. lang who were both featured on the original “Duets” CD have returned for “Duets II.” “I love the Great American songbook and have been fortunate to have had the opportunity to introduce many of these songs to the public…It is a thrill to perform them once again with artists that I admire to create new interpretations of the music I love so much,” says Bennett. Bennett’s long-time manager and son Danny Bennett remarked, “The Duets CDs, the first one and this latest project, truly shine a light on the creative process that takes place between Tony and each of his singing partners. It’s fascinating to witness how each song unfolds, all recorded live, as it happens in the studio.” “The way Tony builds and shares the song is extraordinary. He is generous and warm and gives his partner great solo moments and then watching the duet come to its climax is thrilling. The preparation and care allows the guest to experience a live recording session as Tony records. It’s a large canvas with no style limitations,” commented 15-time Grammy producer Phil Ramone. There is something about a duet that loves Tony Bennett. On the occasion of his 80th birthday, “Tony Bennett Duets: An American Classic” was released to wild critical acclaim, became a multi-platinum masterpiece and was awarded three Grammys. Entering his seventh decade as a recording artist with over 100 albums and 15 Grammy Awards including the Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award, Bennett has earned his legendary status many times over. He remains the Columbia recording artist with the greatest longevity at the label. His 2007 prime-time special, “Tony Bennett: An American Classic,” won seven Emmy Awards. A visual artist as well, three of his original paintings are part of the permanent collection at the Smithsonian. His humanitarian efforts are renowned and the United Nations honored him with their Humanitarian Award in 2007. He has published three books – his autobiography, “The Good Life” and two books of his paintings, “Tony Bennett: What My Heart Has Seen,” and “Tony Bennett In the Studio; A Life of Art and Music.” Bennett founded, in association with the Department of Education in New York City, the Frank Sinatra School of the Arts – a public arts high school in his hometown of Astoria, Queens. With his wife Susan, he established Exploring the Arts, a charitable organization which supports arts education in NYC public high schools. Exploring the Arts supports seven additional public high schools throughout New York City. Track Listing: Disc 1 – CD: The Lady Is A Tramp (with Lady Gaga) One For My Baby (And One More For The Road) (with John Mayer) Body And Soul (with Amy Winehouse) Don't Get Around Much Anymore (with Michael Bublé) Blue Velvet (with k.d. lang) How Do You Keep The Music Playing (with Aretha Franklin) The Girl I Love (with Sheryl Crow) On The Sunny Side of the Street (Willie Nelson) Who Can I Turn To (When Nobody Needs Me) (with Queen Latifah) Speak Low (with Norah Jones) This Is All I Ask (with Josh Groban) Watch What Happens (with Natalie Cole) Stranger In Paradise (with Andrea Bocelli) The Way You Look Tonight (with Faith Hill) Yesterday I Heard The Rain (with Alejandro Sanz) It Had To Be You (with Carrie Underwood) When Do The Bells Ring For Me (with Mariah Carey) Disc 2 – DVD: Introduction The Experience Recording Live Duet with Andrea Bocelli Duet with Alejandro Sanz Duet with John Mayer Duet with Michael Buble Reflections Credits