Mariah Carey Connection

Surprise! If you didn’t know it already, Lady Gaga can sing. On Tony Bennett’s “Duets II” album, Stefani Germanotta leads off with Tony on “The Lady is a Tramp” and it’s a total success. For once, Gaga doesn’t sound at all like Madonna, but maybe just like herself. Indeed she evokes Natalie Cole or Ella Fitzgerald. It’s very nice.

The rest of “Duets II” is also a hit–from Willie Nelson on “On the Sunny Side of the Street” to “Who Can I Turn To” with Queen Latifah. Mariah Carey’s part on “When Do the Bells Ring for Me” should make the new mother of twins want to record her own album of standards and get away from hip hop for good. And the real Natalie Cole? Still the best, most underrated singer in the world. Also very cool: duets with Aretha Franklin and of course the late Amy Winehouse.

Meantime, nothing really logical explains the phenomenon of Tony Bennett. Is someone else singing? I don’t think so. But listening to him on “Duets II’ is quite amazing. And there are no tricks. I’ve seen him in the studio, I’ve seen him ‘live.’ I think “Duets II” will wind up being his biggest hit ever. Nice guys do finish first.

Please click here to have a listen to “When Do the Bells Ring for Me!”

Pre-order at iTunes:

Rest of the World
* USA (20 September, 2011)
* Australia (23 September, 2011)
* New Zealand (26 September, 2011)
* Canada (20 September, 2011)

Europe
* UK (19 September, 2011)
* France (19 September, 2011)
* Holland (16 September, 2011)
* Spain (20 September, 2011)
* Belgium (16 September, 2011)
* Italy (20 September, 2011)
* Sweden (19 September, 2011)

Meanwhile Amazon have now also made the release available for pre-order:

* Amazon USA (MP3) | CD Album (20 September, 2011)
* Amazon UK (CD Album) (19 September, 2011)
* Amazon Germany (CD Album) (16 September, 2011)
* Amazon France (CD Album) (19 September, 2011)
* Amazon Canada (CD Album) (20 September, 2011)

Source: Showbiz 411