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The crooner Tony Bennett fulfilled a lifetime dream with this percussion jazz formation: at last he could go into the studio with the greatest drummers and top-notch jazz musicians and just swing to his heart's content. Chico Hamilton, Jo Jones, Art Blakey, Candido and Sabu were responsible for the beat while Kai Winding, Herbie Mann, Nat Adderley and Al Cohn took care of the background amongst other things, and such great musicians as Milt Hinton and Eddie Safranski and John Pisano tied the whole thing together. The twelve numbers, recorded in four sessions, were arranged by pianist Ralph Sharon in a laid-back and diversified manner and allowed Tony Bennett plenty of room to swing along serenely.
Sinatra called Tony Bennett the best popular singer of the (20th) century. Listening to this early (1957) album, it is not hard to see why. While I have always thought the robust Bennett voice of the 1960s delivered a more rounded mix of sensitivity and power, 'The Beat of My Heart' is a tour de force. It is largely a showcase for rhythmic numbers, highlighted by prominent drummers such as Basie's Jo Jones and Art Blakey (Thelonious Monk and others).The spare, percussion-laden arrangements don't give a voice anywhere to hide, and Bennett's smooth, sometimes athletic vocals ('Beat of My Heart' -- amazing) shine. 'Lullaby of Broadway' and 'Let's Face the Music and Dance' are memorable uptempo numbers. 'Love for Sale', 'Crazy Rhythm' and 'Just One of Those Things' are also notable, showing up in later Bennett concerts and compilations.While there may be other sets with more hits, 'The Beat of My Heart' has a stronger jazz element and a generous selection of songs from the golden era of American popular music. If Bennett sounds a bit young here, it is more than balanced by the quality and taste of the songs and arrangements.Whenever you listen, you get the sense that Tony Bennett simply loves the music. That artistry and respect for the canvas permeates his catalogue, and the early 'Beat of My Heart' is no exception. Recommended, perhaps not as the first TB album to buy -- 'I Wanna Be Around' and the Carnegie Hall concert get my votes -- but as essential Bennett. Which is saying a lot.
