Engelbert Humperdinck duets with Canadians Ron Sexsmith, Johnny Reid on new CD

TORONTO – Engelbert Humperdinck decided to dial up friends and non-friends alike for his first duets record, “Engelbert Calling” — and apparently he wasn’t daunted by international fees.

Two Toronto-based artists — celebrated songwriter Ron Sexsmith and country-ish singer Johnny Reid — both appear on the record, a double album that also features Willie Nelson, Wynonna Judd and Il Divo.

Reid and Humperdinck vamp through a version of Smokey Robinson’s “You’ve Really Got a Hold On Me,” and when reached by phone, the 78-year-old Humperdinck leapt unprompted to praise Reid.

“Gutsy singer with a raw sound,” the Indian-born, England-raised easy listening vet offered.

“He has great appeal.”

Sexsmith, meanwhile, co-croons one of his own compositions: the holiday tune, “Something To Hold On To.”

Humperdinck credited his record label with bringing Sexsmith to his attention.

“He’s very talented. Great writer,” said Humperdinck, best-known for the songs “Release Me,” “The Last Waltz” and “After the Lovin’.”

“It’s a Christmas song, so we’ve got something that’s going to be forever at Christmastime.”

Otherwise, Humperdinck enlisted appearances from Kenny Rogers, Dionne Warwick and even Kiss mogul Gene Simmons, whom Humperdinck terms a “charismatic character.”

Perhaps it would be fair to say the guest of honour is Elton John. Humperdinck was listening to one of the six-time Grammy winner’s live albums in which he actually referenced a fondness for Humperdinck, which prompted a phone call to John to see if he would record a duet.

“He started the whole thing by being the first to sign up,” said Humperdinck. “He’s like the honeycomb. You’ve got Elton John, you’ve got a great name.”

Humperdinck also duets with two of his children, Bradley and Louise Dorsey. His other son, Scott, manages him.

He still tours near-endlessly — he has three Ontario dates over the next month — and claims this is his 80th album. But he’s already mulling the next one.

“I had my wishlist of all my people I wanted,” he said. “The ones I didn’t get on this album will definitely be on the next one. It’s called ‘Engelbert Redialled.’”