October 4, 2011

Tony Bennett & Lady Gaga Team For “The Lady Is A Tramp”



Perhaps the most anticipated collaboration from the now chart-topping(!) Duets II was Tony Bennett & Lady Gaga‘s rendition of “The Lady Is A Tramp.” To begin with, Gaga is as monocultural as they come these days. Plus, as Bennett told us, “she has the same gift as Ella Fitzgerald.” Then none other than Gay Talese profiled the duet for The New Yorker.

With the album in stores, naturally a video for the lead-off track has followed. Gaga is no less showy—that’s her nature—but her performance is in sync, not in competition, with Bennett’s. The duo riff on the lyrics, very much in a vocal jazz pop tradition. The least surprising change: a shout-out to songwriters Rodgers & Hart replaces one to Walter Winchell. Even if the redoubtable columnist had a 2011 equivalent (Nicki Finke plus Perez Hilton?) we doubt committed anti-bullying campaigner Gaga would sing his praises.

She’s also a smart fit for a vocal partner in this musical-theater tradition—so much so that the song seems well-chosen, until you realize how many others would have worked just as well (except perhaps for the titular pun). For all her outré accoutrements, Gaga fits snugly into this tradition, as someone seriously committed to her art yet mercifully unconcerned with Baby Boomer-born ideas of pop “authenticity.” It’s no wonder that Tony Bennett “gets” her.
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Tags: , Lady Gaga, Tony Bennett

September 26, 2011

Alec Baldwin Revisits His Great, Great Tony Bennett Impression On SNL Season Premiere

It’s hard to believe, but at the spritely age of 85 years young, Tony Bennett is as ubiquitous as ever. His new album, Duets II, is on pace to debut at #1 on the Billboard albums chart, his controversial remarks about 9/11 had his name in the headlines (for better or worse) all last week, and on Saturday night, Alec Baldwin capped a bravura Saturday Night Live hosting performance with his great, great impression of the man born Anthony Dominick Benedetto.

This is the fourth time that Baldwin has broken out his hilarious Tony Bennett character while hosting SNL; the first came in 2002, the second in 2005, and in his 2009 appearance on the show, he was even joined by Mr. Bennett himself. This weekend, Baldwin as Bennett was asked to give his opinion on what’s going on at the movies, which was really just an excuse for him to tell his hilariously ribald tales of what life was like back in the swingin’ sixties. There were references to Charleston Chews, “HeBros,” seeing eye myna birds, and a three-way between him, Bobby Darin and a blind lady. Truly some great, great, great stuff.

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Tags: , , , Tony Bennett, Alec Baldwin

September 14, 2011

Celebrate What Would’ve Been Amy Winehouse’s 28th Birthday By Watching “Body And Soul,” Her Duet With Tony Bennett

Get More: Tony Bennett, Top 20 Countdown, Body And Soul, Free Music Videos

Today would’ve been Amy Winehouse‘s 28th birthday. Alas, it wasn’t to be; Winehouse passed back on July 23 of as yet undetermined causes, but her musical legacy will always live on.

At last month’s 2011 Video Music Awards, Tony Bennett introduced Bruno Mars‘ outstanding tribute to Winehouse by sharing a short clip of himself and Winehouse in the studio cutting a cover of the jazz standard “Body And Soul.” As of now, it’s one of the last pieces of recorded music that Winehouse contributed to before her tragic and untimely passing, although if the rumors hold up, there may be more Winehouse cuts on the way someday soon.

Aside from being a very pleasant rendition of the song, the thing that strikes us the most about this video is seeing Amy Winehouse in the habitat where she always felt the most comfortable — the studio. Most of the memories that we have of the last few years of her life are paparazzi shots of her strung out on the streets of London, wasting away before our very eyes. This video, in which Winehouse looks both healthy and happy, stands in stark contrast those tabloid images. Sure, she appears a bit fidgety at times, but we attribute that behavior not to drugs, but rather to her uniquely personal method of channeling the ghosts of great jazz singers past, like Ella Fitzgerald and Billie Holliday (both of whom not-so-coincidentally recorded versions of “Body And Soul”). We’ll also admit it breaks our heart more than a little bit to watch the way that she coyly batted her mascara-laden eyelashes at the inimitable Bennett, knowing that we’ll never get to see her do that again.

“Body And Soul” can be found on Tony Bennett’s upcoming album, Duets II, which will be available in stores next week. If you can’t wait that long, you can head to the iTunes store and pick it up this duet today; all proceeds will benefit the recently created Amy Winehouse Foundation.

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Tags: , , , TOP 20 VIDEO COUNTDOWN, Tony Bennett & Amy Winehouse, Tony Bennett, Amy Winehouse

September 13, 2011

Tony Bennett Raves About His Duets Collaborator Lady Gaga: “She Has The Same Gift As Ella Fitzgerald”

Last month, the incomparable Tony Bennett turned 85 years young. While no one would say a word edgewise if Tony decided to rest on his impressive collection of laurels, this super groovy daddy-o is doing anything but. Last month, he introduced the amazing Amy Winehouse tribute at the VMAs, and next week, he’s releasing his latest album, Duets II. The record features collaborations with today’s chart toppers like Michael Bublé, John Mayer, Norah Jones and the late Miss Winehouse (the latter of which we’ll have for you to check out tomorrow).

The most anticipated track on the record, though, is Tony Bennett’s duet with Lady Gaga on the Rogers and Hart classic, “The Lady Is A Tramp.” Our VH1 News team recently caught up with Bennett, and he had nothing but lavish praise to bestow on the Mother Monster. “She is an amazing singer, she has the same gift as Ella Fitzgerald,” he told us. It’s not just her ability to sing and tickle the ivories that has him impressed, though: “I like the audience reaction when she does a performance. The people go out to lunch, I’ve never heard such enthusiasm.” We’ve never heard the Little Monsters’ reaction to Gaga’s concerts described in that manner, but we’re pretty confident that they’re gonna eat it up. You know, like lunch!

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Tags: , Tony Bennett & Amy Winehouse, Lady Gaga, Tony Bennett, Amy Winehouse

August 24, 2011

85-Year-Old Tony Bennett To Intro Amy Winehouse VMA Tribute

The 2011 VMAs are airing live from Los Angeles on Sunday night, and the latest addition to the evening’s already-stellar lineup is Tony Bennett. The 85 year-old (!) will captain what’s sure to be an emotional tribute to recently-deceased singer Amy Winehouse. Introducing a slew of performers who are currently being kept confidential by the folks in MTV’s ivory tower, we’re excited to see that Bennett, who had recently collaborated with Winehouse on a duet due this fall, “Body and Soul,” will make an appearance on the notoriously youthful VMA stage. While the majority of the MTV audience’s demographic was not yet even a twinkle in their parents’ eyes when Bennett took home his first Grammy in 1963, this certainly isn’t the first time an elder statesman has been booked on MTV’s annual celebration of the year’s best music videos. Want to see what we mean? Check out our list of the Top 5 Oldest People To Appear On-Camera at The VMAS!

5) George Clinton, 52 Years-Old (1993): George Clinton presented the Best R&B Video award alongside West Coasters Snoop Dogg and Dr. Dre in ’93. Then 52 years-old, the funk innovator and Rock & Roll Hall of Fame inductee must have been pretty psyched to hand Moonmen over to the lovely ladies of En Vogue. And the Funky Divas were most likely equally as pleased!

4) Lou Reed, 54 Years-Old (1996): Making a cameo with house band(leader) Jack White of Raconteurs, Lou Reed of The Velvet Underground was well into his fifth decade at the ’96 Video Music Awards. Hosted by Dennis Leary, big winners that night included Coolio, Alanis Morrisette, and Smashing Pumpkins.

3) Diana Ross, 55 Years-Old (1999): Who could forget the jiggle heard ’round the world? When Mary J. Blige accompanied Lil’ Kim, Lil’ Kim’s breast, and Motown sensation Diana Ross to present the award for Best Hip-Hop in ’99, all hell broke loose! The then-55-year-old Rosstook it upon herself to, on live television, cup and jiggle Kim’s pasty-covered, partially-exposed boobie.

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Tags: , , , , Smashing Pumpkins, Jack White, En Vogue, Coolio, George Clinton, Lou Reed, Tony Bennett, Diana Ross, The Raconteurs, Snoop Dogg, Mary J. Blige, Lil' Kim, Dr. Dre, Amy Winehouse, Alanis Morrissette

November 29, 2007

Last Night’s Pics: Ashley Olsen & Lance Armstrong

Movie premieres, awards shows, benefit concerts, and plain old clubbin’ – even though most of us are at home, the beautiful peeps are living it up somewhere. Last Night’s Pics puts you in touch with all the action.

Ashley Olsen and Lance Armstrong were photographed separately as they arrived to the Grand Reopening Of The New Museum Hosted by the Calvin Klein Collection. Ali Larter, Thandie Newton, Maggie Gyllenhaal, Julianne Moore, and Piper Perabo were also on the red carpet.

The 75th Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony was chock-full of entertainment. The performers included Ashley Tisdale, Natasha Bedingfield, Sean Kingston, Josh Groban, Tony Bennett, and Joey Fatone.

Tags: , Julianne Moore, Maggie Gyllenhaal, Nick Lachey, Ashley Olsen, Sean Kingston, Thandie Newton, Josh Groban, Ashley Tisdale, Piper Perabo, Joey Fatone, Ali Larter, Tony Bennett, Natasha Bedingfield