Casual fans or non-listeners of Lady Gaga were likely shocked when it was announced she'd be doing a full jazz album with legend of the genre, Tony Bennett. Why would the man who's made such a name for himself in this lane even contemplate risking it all to work alongside the 'crazy', meat dress-wearing Gaga?
Well, it turns out it's because she's a pretty damn good jazz singer as well. In fact, she's even more than that.
I've been a fan of Gaga since the beginning of her mainstream career. I haven't missed a show since The Fame Ball and make an effort to even get to shows a little out of reach. When I turned up in Carlisle for Radio 1's Big Weekend in 2011, I couldn't have been more excited. It was there that I first heard Gaga take on this sort of thing.
Celebrating the wedding of Prince William and Duchess Katherine, she launched into a fabulous rendition of 'Orange Coloured Sky', changing the lyrics here and there to accommodate the happy couple. I'm not sure if Wills and Kate ever saw the results, but it was certainly something for Gaga to be proud of.
Since then and even before for some fans, there have been calls for Gaga to release a full collection of jazz tunes. And now that that time has come, what better way to do it than with Tony Bennett?
And so the pair have delivered 'Cheek To Cheek' - a compelling and intricate collection of 11 or 16 tracks - depending on whether you pick up standard or deluxe - that differ in pace, scale and length, but that all leave a lasting impression.
'Firefly' for example may be under two minutes long, but it's one of the stand-out moments when Bennett and Gaga's voices come together blending perfectly amongst a rambunctious yet beautiful jazz backdrop.
They stick closely to the originals rather than tampering with them and making them unrecognisable, and genuinely sound like they're having a fantastic time making good music that does the jazz musicians of past proud.
Vulnerable at times (whilst Bennett is confident and further cements his position as one of the greats), Gaga is at her best in tracks such as 'Lush Life' (a song she does solo) which allow her to expose depths of her voice many haven't yet heard.
No auto-tune's needed here. Gaga will benefit immensely from this new offering, but it's not only she who will feel the effects, but the world of jazz. She's opening the doors to a side of music many of her fans may not have given a chance in the past and in doing so, she's giving it the exposure that it so deserves.
As the pair sing "there may be trouble ahead" in 'Let's Face The Music And Dance', I can't help but agree. Could any of the female popstars of today deliver something so utterly different and brilliant as this? I'm not quite sure.
'Cheek To Cheek' is available now.
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