Bennett and Gaga
Few people have had a stranglehold on the world’s attention like Lady Gaga has since her meteoric rise to stardom in 2008.
For some, the controversial pop star’s attention-grabbing actions seemed proof that Gaga was more style and less substance. Her heavily produced music and often-Auto-Tuned vocals on her records only further fueled the ideas that she couldn’t make it with her voice alone, and thus needed to compensate with outrageous acts.
That’s why many were bewildered when Tony Bennett and Gaga announced they were releasing an album of classic jazz standards called Cheek to Cheek in 2014. It was an unlikely partnership that left many wondering what Bennett saw in the eccentric hit-maker and just how well the 29-year-old singer could keep up with the jazz legend.
The one-of-a-kind duo left no critics after their closing performance of their Cheek to Cheek Tour at the Kennedy Center on Aug. 1, receiving five standing ovations and dazzling the crowd with fresh interpretations of some classic numbers.
From the first song, it was apparent that Gaga and Bennett had developed strong chemistry. They improvised intricate harmonies and challenging tempo changes throughout the nearly two-hour performance, with a 13-piece big band of brass and strings, as well as their respective bands — a quartet for Bennett and a quintet for Gaga — following along.
During their duets, Bennett would rigidly stand in place, occasionally tapping his foot or clapping his hands, while Gaga fluttered about the stage, sensually shaking her hips and twirling her outfits. Bennett seemed energized by Gaga’s electric voice and inability to stand still, and in turn the pop star seemed a bit more sophisticated and toned-down than usual.
Gaga still had a bit of a bite to her, however, making jokes about some people’s reservations of the musical partnership.
“You may be wondering why Tony recorded a jazz album with the girl who wore the meat dress,” she quipped, evoking laughter from the crowd. “But I assure you I’m a much better jazz singer than a pop singer.”
While an intriguing pair to watch, the highlights of the night came during solo performances. Bennett, just two days before his 89th birthday, had no vocal problems on the 36th and final performance of the C2C tour.
His strongest moment came when belting Sinatra’s “Fly Me to the Moon” over the boisterous band sans microphone. The hushed crowd sat in silence before erupting into a rousing ovation.
Donning a pantsuit and a shirt with Bennett’s face on it, Gaga delivered purposeful vocals and slick movements during a cover of Louis Jordan’s 1944 “Is You Is or Is You Ain’t My Baby,” transporting the crowd back to an early twentieth century night club.
If there’s any fault to be found in the pair, it’s that Bennett’s subtleties were sometimes lost behind the powerhouse that is Gaga’s booming voice. Gaga — not one for holding back — can sometimes come across as too strong, but it’s also that over-the-top quality that makes her performances so enthralling to watch.
While the partnership could easily be viewed as a smart business move,it was obvious — through the way they gushed about each other on stage and their well-rehearsed, soulful vocals — that both are bonded by a mutual respect for each other and a love for jazz.
