Maps of Music

Duets II (2011)

Where the lyrics of Duets II take you, and where it was really made.

Bennett's duet album debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard 200, making him the oldest living musician to debut at the top of that chart.

Key places

Bennett Studios, Englewood (2011)

Recording site Bubble Hill Studios — Listed as one of the recording studios for this album. Only a city-center location is confirmed, so the exact building is not pinned. The album was also mixed here. Google Maps · Apple Maps

How to get there: See the map for directions.

Capitol Studios, Hollywood (2011)

Recording site Capitol Studios — Listed as one of the recording studios for this album in Hollywood, Los Angeles. The point is set at the building location. Google Maps · Apple Maps

How to get there: See the map for directions.

Ben's Studio, Nashville (2011)

Recording site Nashville — Listed as one of the recording studios for this album in Nashville. Only a city-center location is confirmed, so the building location is not pinned. Google Maps · Apple Maps

How to get there: See the map for directions.

Avatar Studios, New York (2011)

Recording site Power Station Studio — Listed as a recording studio for this album in New York City. The point is set at the building location. Google Maps · Apple Maps

How to get there: See the map for directions.

Abbey Road Studios, London (2011)

Recording site Abbey Road Studios — Listed as a recording studio for this album in London, England. The point is set at the building location. Google Maps · Apple Maps

How to get there: Jubilee line to St John's Wood station, then about a 5-minute walk.

Album story

Overview

• Duets II: studio album by Tony Bennett, released September 20, 2011
• Sequel to Bennett's earlier duet album Duets: An American Classic
• Released in conjunction with Bennett's 85th birthday
• Pairs Bennett with a series of guest singers in duets
• Guests include Amy Winehouse, Lady Gaga, Michael Bublé, Queen Latifah and Mariah Carey
• Released by Columbia Records

Background

• The first album paired jazz standards with international stars
• The single 'Body and Soul' pairs Bennett with Amy Winehouse
• 'Don't Get Around Much Anymore' was released on iTunes as a free download on August 2, 2011

Recording

• Tracks were recorded at studios in New Jersey, Los Angeles, Nashville, New York and London
• Recording and mixing credit goes to Dae Bennett
• Mixed at Bennett Studios in Englewood, New Jersey
• Mastered at Gateway Mastering in Portland, Maine
• 'Body and Soul' was recorded in March 2011

Sources: en.wikipedia.org · fr.wikipedia.org · pt.wikipedia.org · www.discogs.com

Tracklist

Sources: musicbrainz.org

Artist

Early life

• Born Anthony Dominick Benedetto on August 3, 1926, in Long Island City, Queens, New York City.
• Grew up in poverty after his father, a grocer, became unable to work and died when Tony was ten.
• Sang for money from age 13 as a singing waiter in Italian restaurants in Queens.
• Attended New York's School of Industrial Art but dropped out at 16 to help support his family.

Military service

• Drafted into the U.S. Army in November 1944 and fought as an infantryman in the final stages of World War II.
• Stayed in Germany with the occupying force and sang with an Army Special Services band under the name Joe Bari.

Career

• Studied bel canto at the American Theatre Wing on the GI Bill; Pearl Bailey and Bob Hope helped launch him, and Hope shortened his name to Tony Bennett.
• Signed with Columbia Records in 1950; first number-one hit "Because of You" in 1951.
• Shifted toward jazz singing in the late 1950s; "I Left My Heart in San Francisco" (1962) became his signature song.
• Declined commercially during the rock era and struggled with addiction and debt until a comeback in the late 1980s, managed by his son Danny.
• The 1994 MTV Unplugged album won the Grammy for Album of the Year.

Later career

• Collaborated with Lady Gaga from Cheek to Cheek (2014) through Love for Sale (2021).
• Won 20 Grammy Awards, including a Lifetime Achievement Award, and sold more than 50 million records worldwide.
• Received a Kennedy Center Honor in 2005 and a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.
• Co-founded the Frank Sinatra School of the Arts in Queens with Susan Crow.

Sources: en.wikipedia.org

Reception

At release

• Debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard 200 with 179,000 copies sold
• Bennett's first No. 1 album
• Made Bennett the oldest living musician to debut at No. 1 on the Billboard 200
• Won the Grammy Award for Best Traditional Pop Vocal Album in 2012
• Bennett and Amy Winehouse won the Grammy for Best Pop Duo or Group Performance for 'Body and Soul'

Records

• Platinum sales status in Canada, certified by Music Canada
• Later certified gold in the United States by the RIAA
• 'Body and Soul' was Bennett's first Billboard Hot 100 entry in nearly 45 years
• Arranger Jorge Calandrelli won the Grammy for Best Instrumental Arrangement Accompanying Vocalist(s) for 'Who Can I Turn To' with Queen Latifah

Sources: en.wikipedia.org · pt.wikipedia.org

Trivia

• 'Don't Get Around Much Anymore' was released on iTunes as a free download on August 2, 2011, before the album came out.
• On November 8, 2011, Sony Music Distribution included the CD in a box set, The Complete Collection.
• 'Body and Soul', recorded in March 2011 with Amy Winehouse, was Bennett's first Billboard Hot 100 entry in nearly 45 years.
• A photo exhibit, Tony Bennett: Portrait of an Artist, showed the recording process and was displayed at The Morrison Hotel Gallery SoHo.
• The album's recording was made across several studios on two continents, including Abbey Road Studios in London.

Sources: en.wikipedia.org · fr.wikipedia.org · pt.wikipedia.org · www.discogs.com

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