| Tony Bennett's commercial renaissance of the 1980s and 1990s was aided by a string of albums that communicated his essential values while providing conceptual signposts (Sinatra, Astaire, women singers) for record buyers to grasp. Playin' with My Friends links duets with an assortment of popular artists to a set of blues and blues-influenced standards. While Bennett is no Joe Turner or Bobby Bland, his upbeat style melds well with that of most of his guests. He achieves the proper level of brio on "Let the Good Times Roll" with BB King and sits in spiritedly Stevie Wonder ("Everyday [I Have the Blues]") and Ray Charles (a moaning "Evenin'" that's the standout cut). In fact, it's the visitors, not the host, who occasionally misfire: Sheryl Crow sounds unsure of her putative pain on "Good Morning, Heartache" while Natalie Cole is simply too glib to make for a convincing "Stormy Weather". Still, Bennett, his small band, and the best of these cameos make Playin' more than just another series of superstar walk-ons. --Rickey Wright |
|
