Tony Bennett and
Diana Krall's partnership didn't begin with the 2018 duets album
Love Is Here to Stay.
Krall popped up on two prior duets albums from
Bennett and the pair toured at the dawn of the 2000s, but
Love Is Here to Stay marks their first full record together, and it's an elegant affair. Conceived as a tribute to
George Gershwin, the album is filled with familiar tunes, but hints of imagination lurk around the edges, such as the revival of "Fascinating Rhythm," the tune
Bennett recorded for his first single in 1949. Nearly 70 years separate that version of "Fascinating Rhythm" from this 2018 rendition, and while
Bennett certainly sounds older -- his voice is slightly raspy, he can't hit the high notes the way he used to, nor does he sing with quite as much force -- he still sounds spry and commanding, happily dancing through these cozy melodies, singing with as much rhythm as lyricism.
Krall responds in kind, trading staccato phrases that are slyly complementary to
Bennett's own. In the Bill Charlap Trio, the pair have empathetic support, keeping the proceedings both light and lush, helping to turn this album into a charming testament to endurance -- endurance of the
Gershwin catalog, the collaboration between
Krall and
Bennett, and, especially, how
Tony Bennett can still sound completely committed to songs he's spent decades singing. ~ Stephen Thomas Erlewine