Duets: An American Classic
Tony Bennett
RPM Records

Over the past few years, numerous albums have been released that paired a legendary performer with other artists from across musical genres and generations.

The latest such project, Duets: An American Classic, teams crooner Tony Bennett with an all-star list that includes the Dixie Chicks, Barbra Streisand, Paul McCartney, Tim McGraw, Stevie Wonder and Elvis Costello.

The songs on Duets are from Bennett’s impressive collection of hits. Many of the guest artists seem nearly as comfortable with the material as the man who is considered by many to be a living definition of the word “cool.”

Among the highlights of this disc are the Bennett/McGraw rendition of the Hank Williams Sr. classic “Cold Cold Heart” that Tony first recorded in the early ’50s; “The Best Is Yet to Come,” where Diana Krall’s jazzy vocals blend smoothly with Bennett’s laid-back style; R&B legend Wonder’s unmistakable vocals and harmonica riffs on “For Once In My Life;” and “Just in Time,” a song that features crooners of two generations: Bennett and Michael Bublé.

Also included on Duets is a track that Bennett performs solo: his signature song, “I Left My Heart in San Francisco.” Like the songs found on Duets, Tony Bennett is one performer who will never go out of style.