Viva Duets

Tony Bennett | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (October 22, 2012)
• Original Release Date: 2012
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Columbia
• ASIN: B008RMFJQS
• Also Available in: Audio CD  |  MP3 Music
• Average Customer Review: 4.1 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (101 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,710 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Editorial Reviews

VIVA DUETS is the third duets-themed project from 17-time Grammy winner Tony Bennett, following the platinum selling and critically praised DUETS and DUETS II CDs. Featuring many top names in the Latin recording industry, VIVA DUETS finds Bennett performing his greatest hits with a celebrated roster of artists including Marc Anthony, Christina Aguilera, Ricardo Arjona, Chayanne, Franco De Vita, Gloria Estefan, Vicente Fernández, Juan Luis Guerra, Dani Martín, Romeo Santos, Thalía and Vicentico.  A truly international endeavor, VIVA DUETS, features performances in English and Spanish, with artists representing nine countries and three continents.  

 Tony Bennett is known for recording duets live and VIVA DUETS was no exception, with sessions recorded in Ft. Lauderdale, New York, and in the case of famed Mexican performer Vicente Fernández, on his 400 acre ranch in Guadalajara. All of the tracks are from Bennett’s extensive hit catalog, with the exception of the duet with Vicente Fernández, which features an English/Spanish version of the song, "Return To Me," originally recorded by Dean Martin. VIVA DUETS presents Bennett's classic songs with an international flavor that will generate widespread appeal for this unique multi-lingual presentation. Working with this unprecedented list of Latin artist, many of whom he met for the first time in the recording studio, Bennett commented, “Each of these artists were so warm and welcoming that there was an instant rapport. Latin music has always been about melody and harmony and a lot of soul, so there was a very close artistic connection with each duet guest.  I am absolutely thrilled about the record.”

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

38 of 46 people found the following review helpful

2.0 out of 5 stars Marketing fad...useless rehash with little emotion. October 26, 2012

By Tilak

Format:Audio CD

Mr Anthony Dominic Benedetto has just released "another duets " collection.
While the previous two installments clocked above one hour, this is above half an hour of much of the same, in English and Spanish, the language of his occasional partners.
Overall, I'm not sure what to make of this album.
Bennett's voice shows increasing signs of age here, even if his interpretive skills are good throughout: nevertheless his voice "doesn't always blend that well with, say, the breathy R&B-inflected tenor of Romeo Santos, the gravelly Ricardo Arjona or the hammy delivery of Vincente Fernandez, who joins him on a ranchero-flavoured version of the Dean Martin hit Return To Me".F. Shepherd.
Some duets work, others don't, and I can't help but feel that many guests simply aren't suited to Tony Bennett's musical backing and the way he does his songs.
The track list shows no novelty: we have been hearing those songs from Tony over and over again, even on his previous Duets.
I have no idea who would listen to this.
The overall feeling is that there is "no feeling" at all, it's a sterile, useless re-hash in the current marketing fad.
Mr Bennett has done much better than that.
This, actually, is the lowest point of his bizarre career.
I keep enjoying his The Complete Tony Bennett / Bill Evans Recordings, Art of Excellence, Art of Romance and Perfectly Frank.
At his highest point, nobody bought his stuff, and now, at his lowest - and with help from his sons, Danny, his manager, and Dae, the sound engineer of his latest outings - he goes on top of Billboard charts...
But in all honesty, I agree with what Kurt B. Reighley writes: "More so than its predecessors, the third installment in Bennett's "Duets" franchise seems like an exercise in commerce, not art.
The 86 year-old jazz icon teams with a dozen Latin crossover stars, but rather than explore material that might follow this conceit to a logical -- and interesting -- conclusion, the program mostly rehashes songs and arrangements previously showcased on the first two "Duets" sets.
There's no bandoneon, no "Bésame Mucho."
The vocal performances display the chemistry fans expect -- when Marc Anthony turns up the heat on "For Once in My Life," Bennett follows suit -- but otherwise "Viva Duets" feels lifeless".

13 of 18 people found the following review helpful

3.0 out of 5 stars Nice, but same ol same ol October 22, 2012

By End User Consumer

Format:MP3 Music

First, let me say that Mr. Mitnick's review here almost turned me off from the cd. Who knew so much politics could be wedged into a cd of old standards. The presidential debate seems to be pushed into every nook someone can find....now I have to think of that everytime I listen to these great songs. I don't really care about Tony's politics, and I care even less about some random music reviewer's political perspective.

Now, on to the music itself. All well done in Tony's normal great style, with a good selection of singers to join him. I just wish he would broaden his selection of songs. They are of course all great standards, but so many seem to be just lifted off previous cd's of his. There are lots of great standards out there that I wish he would add to the mix.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful

3.0 out of 5 stars Okay CD April 9, 2013

By JLC

Format:Audio CD|Amazon Verified Purchase

We were a little disappointed with this purchase. We had hoped for more Tony Bennet and less other singers. Should have read a little closer and found a CD of classics instead.