If you’re expecting this collection of Tony Bennett linking up with Latin vocalists like Thalia, Marc Anthony, Gloria Estfan and Franco De Vita to be the crooner’s foray into salsa music, forget it. Except for the last track, a lovingly romantic take of “Regresa A Mi” with similarly greyed Vicente Fernandez, the material is essentially either very hip and snappy or lush and languid readings of familiar standards like “The Best Is Yet To Come” and “I Wanna Be Around.” Bennett still sounds wonderful, while the guests mix and match with English or Spanish vocal accompaniment. Estefan seems cozy on an English “Who Can I Turn To,” and likewise Christina Aquilera sounds positively at home on “Steppin’ Out With My Baby.” A hip Juan Luis Gurerra on “Just In Time” and sweet “Thalia” on”The Way You Look Tonight” go traditional dialect. A nice variation on a very familiar theme.
As long as he stays away from crackpot comments on gun control and WWII, you gotta love the timeless crooner.
Columbia Records