Tony Bennett's third collection of duets in six years has a Latin flair. (Photo: Larry Busacca, Getty Images, for Exploring the Arts)
For Viva Duets, Tony Bennett's third collection of duets (***
out of four) in six years, pop music's most prolific octogenarian opted
for a Latin twist, enlisting both American-household names such as Marc
Anthony and Christina Aguilera and international stars as diverse as
Mexican ranchera icon Vicente Fernandez, Dominican
singer/songwriter Juan Luis Guerra and Vicentico, frontman of the
Argentine ska/rock band Los Fabulosos Cadillacs.
The result is less Tony Bennett en español
- he sings in English, leaving the Spanish to his partners - than a
jovial meeting of cultures. Bennett lets Fernandez's lush bari-tenor and
sweepingly romantic style set the tone on Return to Me (Regresa A Mi), while bachata star Romeo Santos lends a delicate touch to a jazzy Rags to Riches.
Who Can I Turn To (When Nobody Needs Me) is a surprise highlight, as Gloria Estefan lends an earthy urgency to Bennett's bittersweet elegance.
Ever the gracious host, Bennett engages his guests with obvious affection and respect, and gets them back in full measure.
USA Today