Tony Bennett New CD is Gay Friendly

Tony Bennett knows how to throw an 80th birthday party! His new CD "Duets: An American Classic" pairs him up with 18 different superstars and some of them are gay! He croons with Elton John, George Michael and his great pal, k.d. Lang, and those are three of the best cuts on this wonderful disc.

I picked it up Wednesday and listened to it all the way home from work. It was "Lullaby Of Broadway" (with the Dixie Chicks) down Ventura Blvd., "Smile" (with Barbra Streisand) and "Put on a Happy Face" (with James Taylor) while waiting in line at the In & Out Burger; "Rags to Riches" (with Elton), "The Good Life" (with Billy Joel), "Cold, Cold Heart" (w/Tim McGraw) and "If I Ruled the World" (w/Celine Dion) on the 101 Freeway before taking Coldwater Canyon and being accompanied by Tony and Diane Krall singing "The Best is Yet to Come," then Stevie Wonder and Bennett on "For Once in My Life" followed by he and k.d. Lang doing "Because of You." His duet of "Just in Time" with Michael Buble was playing by the time I got to Sunset Blvd. and I found myself in such a good mood, the stress of the day all gone.
The rest of the commute was highlighted by Bennett singing solo on his signature tune, "I Left My Heart in San Francisco" before the final song on the disc, "How Do You Keep the Music Playing?" with George Michael. Since you read more about George Michael having sex in public places than his career, it's easy to forget just what a terrific performer he is.

To read about the wave success Tony Bennett and other music legends are currently riding, read my story in today's LA Daily News!