Vinyl: "Cheek to Cheek" with Tony Bennett & Lady Gaga

It has been over a year since I was given the wonderful gift of a record player for my Birthday. It has then started my collection of vinyl records. I have stumbled upon vinyls of artists, with songs introduced to me during my childhood, which always makes me feel nostalgic, as well as timeless classics by artists from decades ago. Many of those albums I have found at used book stores, I have been able to get for only a couple of bucks, here and there, while there are some vinyls, that have costed double the price of a new CD. I have definitely seen a rise in the popularity of vinyls. I have also started collecting vinyls of albums by current artists, that have voices or the type of music and sound, that seems to fit right in with the music that we may commonly think of, when listening to music through a record player. Picking out those artists and their albums that coincide with a specific style of music and sound, have been just as fun as searching for old vinyls, that thankfully have endured the revolution of technology and its' impact on the music industry, in relation to how we share, listen and experience music. I personally enjoy all the mediums in which music can be experienced, the old ways and the new.

On my last birthday, a year exactly from when I received my record player as a gift from my husband, along with a few vinyl records to start my collection, my husband gifted me Tony Bennett & Lady Gaga's album Cheek to Cheek, on vinyl. I was ecstatic! I have been so intrigued by Tony Bennett and Lady Gaga collaboration. This album is a perfect reflection of not only the kind of songs that sound so rich and beautiful on vinyl, but the collaboration between these two artists have created that special touch, blend and perfect harmony between the classic, timeless voice of Tony Bennett and the refreshing, new and unique artistry of Lady Gaga. I have Tony Bennett's vinyl records from more than forty years ago. He was born in 1926 and had his first #1 popular song in 1951. He is 88 years old and the oldest singer to record an album. He has been around for a long time! His voice and his presence on stage is still relevant today. If you have been to a Lady Gaga Concert or seen her performances, viewed her music videos, you can say that she is easily one of the most unique, adventurous, daring, eccentric, influential artist of today. With the kind of influence Lady Gaga has made within the pop culture this past decade, the kind of risks only few artists are willing to make or have the talent and ability to successfully execute, she alongside Tony Bennett, I believe are two artists that couldn't have represented the younger and older generations, any better or more accurately. Their style and persona, as different as they may seem from one another, prior to this album, could make most people think they may be also the least likely two singers, to become a duo, but they have become that duo and thankfully so. What they've created, re-visiting old standards and renewing classic songs, reintroducing what are essentially timeless hits to our generation of music lovers, is such a beautiful venture and they have done so, very successfully. I believe they have created an album that is one of a kind and one can tell, in listening to their performance and seeing them connect musically and soulfully in the way they have through music, is quite special. 

There is no duo quite like these two! 

TONY BENNET & LADY GAGA

CHEEK TO CHEEK

Produced by Dae Bennett

Executive Producer Danny Bennett

2014 Columbia Records, a division of Sony Music Entertainment/Interscope Records, a division of UMG Recordings, Inc. 

Must Watch: These two artists may seem to come from different worlds, such opposite spectrum of musical genres in which they were known for yet they came together through jazz music. Tony Bennett is a musical legend, having serenaded us with his music, American standards and jazz music since the 1940s. If anyone knows American jazz music and have the experience of performing it now and during the years when it was the popular music of the time, it is Tony Bennett. Lady Gaga may be a pop icon, better known for pop music but she sings jazz and sounds like an authentic jazz singer, which she has expressed to be, since she has been singing jazz music since she was thirteen years old. She has proven through this album that she is not pretending to be anyone she isn't. What she adds to these classic jazz songs, aside from her voice, is that fresh outtake of something we've heard so many times before and you can most definitely see that in their performances together, in her interpretation and fashion style, in her portrayal of the characters she embodies. She is captivating, entertaining and her chemistry with Tony Bennett on and off the stage, is undeniable. It is authentic and they are both filled with so much charisma. They truly are like kindred spirits. Together, they bring relevance to songs from decades ago, for the listeners and generations of today. You can watch them perform all the songs on this album through videos they have created for each song. It's a fun series of videos, many of which centers around their recording sessions in the studio and can be viewed on YouTube or vevo. I am so thrilled to have Tony Bennett & Lady Gaga's album Cheek to Cheek, as part of my collection of music on vinyl. I personally think, this should be a must have!