I was surprised at how sensational I found this performance of “The Lady Is a Tramp” by Tony Bennett and Lady Gaga to be. I see Bennett at every chance, most recently in Montreal in July, and he never fails to knock me out. But I was dubious of Duets II until I finally heard it this morning and realized that Bennett’s grace, coupled with a set of timeless standards and tasty arrangements, brings out the best in everyone . It’s also great to hear Tony’s superb working quartet of Lee Musiker, Gray Sargent, Marshall Wood, and Harold Jones prominent in the mix. We’ll hear Bennett and this lively Lady tonight, and Tony and Willie Nelson singing “On the Sunny Side of the Street” in tomorrow night’s Jazz à la Mode.
