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The Year of Tony Bennett

An Appreciation of the Art and Music of Tony Bennett

January 15, 2022 By Suzanne Leave a Comment

Album of the Week: The Beat of My Heart

The album of the week starting on January 16, 2022, is The Beat of My Heart.



The Beat of My Heart was conceived and planned by Tony Bennett and his new musical director, Ralph Sharon. Bennett wanted to return to his jazz roots with this, his third LP. Bennett relates stories about this album in his autobiography, The Good Life:

Ralph and I wanted to make a jazz statement in a big way, and I came up with the idea of recording an album of standards that put the spotlight on different kinds of rhythm by using all the great jazz drummers I could find. We talked the concept over during our first few months on the road, and gradually it all came together. The first recording date was in June 1957, with Chico Hamilton. I was delighted with the results, particularly with the tongue-twisting. super-percussive title track, “The Beat of My Heart.” Mitch came to the first recording date, but was unusually quiet. Maybe he hoped he was giving us enough rope to hang ourselves. But when the album came out, an army of jazz fans said, Hey, this guy knows how to swing. A whole new audience accepted me—in fact, I still get my biggest reactions at jazz festivals the world over.

Album Facts

Release Date December 1, 1957
Label Columbia (CL-1079)
Producers Mitch Miller, Al Ham
Vocals Tony Bennett
Arrangements Ralph Sharon, Tony Bennett
Piano Ralph Sharon
Percussion Art Blakey, Chico Hamilton, Jo Jones, Candido Camero, Sabu Martinez, Billy Exiner
Tenor Sax Al Cohn
Trumpet Nat Adderly
Trombone Robert Alexander, Jim Dahl, Kai Winding
Flute Herbie Mann, Spencer Sinatra, William Slapin
Vibes Eddie Costa
Guitar John Pisano
Bass Milt Hinton, Eddie Saranski, James Bond

Listen to The Beat of My Heart

You can also listen to The Beat of My Heart on:

  • Apple Music
  • Amazon Music player
  • Qobuz
  • YouTube Music
  • Pandora

Filed Under: Album of the Week Tagged With: Art Blakey, Billy Exiner, Candido Camera, Chico Hamilton, Jo Jones, Mitch Miller, Ralph Sharon, Sabu Martinez

October 22, 2013 By Suzanne Leave a Comment

Song of the Day: Let’s Face The Music and Dance

The song of the day for Tuesday, October 22, 2013 is “Let’s Face The Music and Dance.”

About This Song

Irving Berlin wrote “Let’s Face The Music and Dance” in 1936 for the movie Follow The Fleet, where was introduced by Fred Astaire. It’s one of Berlin’s most popular songs and has been recorded many times by artists including Tony Bennett, Nat King Cole, Natalie Cole, Barbara Cook, Ella Fitzgerald and Frank Sinatra.

About This Version

Today’s version is from Tony Bennett’s wonderful 1957 jazz album The Beat of My Heart. For this album, Bennett chose the finest percussionists in the world for the songs on the album, including Art Blakey, Sabu, Jo Jones, Chico Hamilton and Candido Camera. This was also his first album with Ralph Sharon and Ralph Sharon Trio, with whom he would work for many years.

Candido-Camero-660x320

Candido Camera is why we chose this song today, as today is his 92nd birthday. Candido was born in Cuba on October 22, 1912. He is one the world’s preeminent conga drum players. He played on several songs on this album; he also appeared with Mr. Bennett in his 1962 Carnegie Hall concert and he and Bennett turned in an exceptional performance of “De Glory Road.”

The Year of Tony Bennett wishes Candido a very happy birthday and best wishes for many more.

http://open.spotify.com/track/5B9bcn6bpoAWbLnyQrlVvw
“Let’s Face The Music and Dance,” as well as the album The Beat of My Heart, is available from iTunes and Amazon.

Filed Under: Song of the Day Tagged With: Candido Camera, Follow The Fleet, Happy Birthday Candido, Irving Berlin, The Beat of My Heart

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