"Alexa play some music by Tony Bennett and Lady Gaga," says I.
I could have asked, “Play something by two artists at the top of their games but separated in age by about 60 years“ or “Play a song that will make me laugh and cry with joy and admiration at the camaraderie between two artists, confident of and using every element in their each of their deep musical repertoires“ or “Play a song by two artists whose synergy together is powerful enough to split an atom“.
In a digital heartbeat Alexa loads up a 2011 version of “That’s Why The Lady Is A Tramp“.
The irony that Bennett has Alzheimer’s Disease and is singing on sheer instinct ignited by the chemistry with his friend Lady Gaga makes me cry and cheer from the first moment of this shot out of a cannon duet.
https://ladygaga.fandom.com/wiki/The_Lady_Is_a_Tramp_(song)
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Lady_Is_a_Tramp
https://www.cbsnews.com/news/tony-bennett-lady-gaga-alzheimers-disease-60-minutes-2022-06-26/ ...by the way, Bennett was 95 years old at the time of the concert.
I just watched the 2011 version and thank you for suggesting it! It was wonderful!
Posted by: Melanie Wagner | March 28, 2023 at 05:45 PM
You are back!!!! Makes me think you are feeling better. Sending hugs and more pink flamingo feathers to further the healing.
Posted by: Jo-Ann Barbour | March 28, 2023 at 06:21 PM
Thank you! Yes, recovery from spine surgery slow but so steady that I am picking up lots of notes scribbled on envelopes and fleshing them into stories like this one…feels good...and all those hugs and flamingo feathers are doing their magic for rehab!
PT
Posted by: pt at large | March 28, 2023 at 06:24 PM
Oh Paul,
The very essence of a dynamic duo who are thrilled to collaborate or coolaborate!!
Tony is handsome and vital and impressive in his improvisations and Lady Gaga is an old soul in a hot body and glamorous dress.
Their energy is on FIRE.
Posted by: Jan Watson | March 28, 2023 at 06:29 PM
Nice Paul! Did you know that Gray Sargent played with them from 2017-2021 and has relocated here and played for Freddie's 80th birthday last summer.
Posted by: Susan Sullivan | March 28, 2023 at 06:54 PM
Thanks, Prez,
Starting to write again after a pause because spine surgery on March 3 put everything on hold. If recovery goes well I shall return to the dance floor sometime in June.
PT
PS
Really cool video of the talented Gray Sargent. Hope to see him in the future.
Posted by: Paul A Tamburello, Jr aka pt at large | March 28, 2023 at 07:00 PM
Did you see their special. It was terrific.
Posted by: Susan Bennett | March 28, 2023 at 07:12 PM
Found it on Amazon Prime...stay tuned,,,
Posted by: Paul A Tamburello, Jr aka pt at large | March 28, 2023 at 07:15 PM
HI Paul,
Thanks for sending! We saw Tony Bennett at the Kodak Theatre in Rochester, NY in 2017. We were there to see our son at U Rochester, and Tony was one of the weekend events. On his last song, (I Left My Heart in SF?), he told the audience that the Kodak Theatre was one of the most perfectly acoustical theaters he had performed in. He put his microphone aside, and sang without any amplification. It is a moment that I will never forget. Perfect pitch, perfect sound, absolutely beautiful. We are so lucky to have been there and will always have the memory.
Cathleen
Posted by: Cathleen | April 02, 2023 at 10:43 PM
What a fitting memory of Tony Bennett. Listeners who know anything about music recognize his voice the moment they hear it, and he proved that you heard it in about as acoustically pure a space as there is.
Posted by: Paul A Tamburello, Jr aka pt at large | April 02, 2023 at 10:46 PM