As far as celebrity records go, Heartbeat isn't half bad. Don Johnson is at best a competent singer, but for his first foray into pop music, he had the good sense to surround himself with strong collaborators, enlisting songs from the likes of Tom Petty ("Lost in Your Eyes"), Bob Seger ("Star Tonight"), and Diane Warren ("Other People's Lives").
Outside of its sheer novelty value, Heartbeat is also notable for the presence of such high-profile guests as Bonnie Raitt, Willie Nelson, Stevie Ray Vaughan, Ron Wood, and no less than Barbra Streisand.
In 1986 therefore, Don Johnson launches into recording an album but this is not a beginner in the matter because everything here is perfectly controled, from the choice of songs to the choice of musicians. It's not just a caprice star because he is a true music lover and he's got many friends among great musicians as we will see by reading the guests on this album.
His friend, guitarist and composer Chas Sandford brings with him to the studio a few nuggets that Don Johnson willingly will serve. Excellent choice that Heartbeat (Kaz Erik, Wendy Waldmann), which will be a hit in the United States but also worldwide. Guitars, many guitars, good rhythm, great chorus, a rock solo made this song a hit. The voice of Don Johnson is certainly not exceptional but it goes well with the rock and will be pleasant throughout the ten tracks of the album.
But aside from how to sing, Don Johnson also write. Love Roulette and especially the wonderful last track of the album, Can't Take Your Memory and its piano intro prove it. Star Tonight is another highlight of the record. This song written by Bob Seger is co-singing with the legendary Willie Nelson. He played with Don in an episode of Miami Vice, entitled "El Viejo". Chas Sandford brought rock song Gotta Get Away.
A galaxy of rock gods and excellent musicians surround Don Johnson on Heartbeat. On guitars can be heard Dickey Betts, the Allman Brothers Band is the favorite Don Johnson's band, and also Stevie Ray Vaughan, Ron Wood, the Rolling Stone and Dweezil Zappa, son of Frank Zappa (who also starred in an episode of Miami Vice). On the drums can be heard among others Omar Hakim and Curly Smith (former Boston). The huge Lenny Pickett is on the saxophone.
Not in deference to his detractors, Don Johnson did a good rock album that still can be listened to pleasantly. The sound is modern. The actor has prepared very well this record and he succeeded. His partner in the series Miami Vice Philip Michael Thomas was also tried in music but with less success and it's a shame because he sings better than Don Johnson.
For some personal reasons, I still love Can't Take Your Memory I never tire of listening.
Side A
A1. Heartbeat - 4:20
A2. Voice On A Hotline - 4:05
A3. The Last Sound Love Makes - 4:27
A4. Lost In Your Eyes (Backing Vocals – Bonnie Raitt) - 4:33
A5. Coco Don't - 3:33
Side B
B1. Heartache Away (Backing Vocals – Bonnie Raitt) - 4:49
B2. Love Roulette - 4:20
B3. Star Tonight (Backing Vocals – Willie Nelson) - 2:54
B4. Gotta Get Away - 4:27
B5. Can't Take Your Memory - 4:30
Personnel
- Don Johnson - vocals
- Dickey Betts, Kennan Keating, Paul Pesco, David Resnik, Chas Sandford, Stevie Ray Vaughan, Ron Wood, Dweezil Zappa - guitar
- Mark Leonard - bass, background vocals, arrangements
- Bill Champlin, Keith Diamond, Charles Judge - keyboards
- Omar Hakim,[citation needed] John Keane, J.T. Lewis, Terry Silverlight, Curly Smith - drums
- Keith Diamond, Bashiri Johnson, Acar S. Key - percussion
- Mickey Raphael - harmonica
- Lenny Pickett, Danny Wilensky - saxophone
- Chris Botti, Joseph J. Sheply, George Young - horns
- Bill Champlin, Tamara Champlin, Michael Des Barres, Jamie Skyler - background vocals
- Bonnie Raitt - background vocals on "Lost in Your Eyes" and "Heartache Away"
- Willie Nelson - background vocals on "Star Tonight"
- Strings arranged by Leon Pendarvis
- Horns arranged by Leon Pendarvis, Lenny Pickett, Danny Wilensky
Production
In a 1987 interview with the LA Times, Johnson stated, "I wanted the record to be modern, tough rock and I think I achieved that on some level. I didn't want it to sound like something that other people designed and I just stopped by for a few minutes to do the vocals. And I made it clear to Walter that I would walk away from it if I didn't think it was credible. I was prepared every step of the way to throw it away and walk away."
- Produced By Keith Diamond & Chas Sandford
- Engineers: David Axelbaum, Acar S. Key, Gary McGachan, Peter Robbins, Bob Ross
- Mixing: Gary McGachan, Chas Sandford
- Mastering: Stephen Marcussen
Notes
Release: 1986
Format: LP
Genre: Rock
Label: Epic Records
Catalog# EPC 450103 1
Prijs : €7,99
Vinyl: VG
Cover: VG (Gatefold)
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