John Coltrane & Johnny Hartman [Original recording remastered]

Elvin Jones, Jimmy Garrison, John Coltrane, Johnny Hartman, McCoy Tyner, John Coltrane And Johnny Hartman | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (June 27, 1995)
• Number of Discs: 1
• Format: Original recording remastered
• Label: Grp Records
• ASIN: B000003N7K
• Also Available in: Audio CD  |  Audio Cassette  |  Vinyl  |  MP3 Music
• Average Customer Review: 4.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (167 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #35,669 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)
  • #76 in Music > Broadway & Vocalists > Cabaret

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

This is one of the three all-ballad albums that John Coltrane recorded in late 1962 and early 1963. Johnny Hartman was apparently Coltrane's suggestion, and his deep, dark voice meshes perfectly here with Coltrane's tenor. The material is well-chosen, including definitive readings of "My One and Only Love" and "Lush Life." McCoy Tyner fills out the chords, augmenting the harmonies and keeping the tone of these ballads respectful but not overly sentimental. All the players get to the deep structure of the songs and are not afraid to play in the most essential and elegant manner. This is beautiful jazz. --Michael Monhart

Product Description

It was a match made in heaven: Hartman's beautiful baritone voice and Coltrane's exploratory yet empathetic tenor sax. This 1963 Impulse LP is a career highlight for both these jazz giants!

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

159 of 163 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars "They Say It's Wonderful" November 17, 2001

By douglas barton

Format:Audio CD

I've been sitting here reading fellow Amazon reviewers take on "John Coltrane and Johhny Hartman" and I've noticed a trend that I find discomforting....if not exactly true as well. But I'll soon get to that. First, I think a little background is needed to fully understand where this cd is at, musically speaking of course.

When approached to do an "album" with a singer Cotrane's first, and I suspect only response, was Johnny Hartman. Hartman was close to being a complete unknown in a field where he so obviously excelled and Coltrane, while recording two albums of ballads previous to this record, "Ballads" and "Duke Ellington and John Coltrane" was still attempting to facillitate a style that reached the outer boundaries of the restrictive nature of popular song. That being the case they entered the studio and preceded to record a classic...in every sense of the word.

Now,unlike other reviewer's comments about Coltrane being subjected to the role of "sideman" to Johnny Hartman's vocals this, I feel, simply misses the point of what this cd is about. Coltrane's tenor, I feel, is actually the "second voice" on this fine disc. The interaction between voice and musical instrument will always be debated as how to best draw a "focal point" where each can draw inspiration from the other and I feel that this is as close as I've ever heard to having those two seperate entities actually realizing that one precise point where vocals and intrumentation blend together in perfect unison . A perfect blending of two "instruments". Obviously a listener's attention will always turn toward the vocal aspect of any piece of music due to it's simply being recorded at the front end of any song. And being Johnny Hartman how could you not pay close attention!... But, if you truly listen to when Coltrane enters each song, a prime example being " Lush Life", than you may have an idea as to what I am saying. Coltrane's saxophone isn't so much accompanying Hartman as much as "singing" with him. I suspect this is the closest thing we may have to an actual "duet" regarding voice and musical accompiantment. While it's true that Coltrane did go back into the studio at a later date to overdub some phrases for "My One And Only Love', "Lush Life" and "You Are Too Beautiful" basicallly what you have here is recorded "live". Which only enhances the sheer "magic" of this disc!

And speaking of accompiantment isn't it time to give credit to McCoy Tyner, Jimmy Garrison and Elvin Jones. Without these fine musicians I suspec this cd would surely lose some of it's lustre! A truly first rate quartet that is second only to Mile's work on "Kinda Blue".

So, in the end, purchase your own copy of "Coltrane/Hartman" and hear what all the fuss is about. Whether you agree with my observations or not this cd is simply too good to pass up. Simple, beautiful and terribly romantic! Actually, forget all this superficial analyzing and enjoy the disc for what it is....Simply Wonderful! Read more ›

31 of 31 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars A unmitigated masterpiece November 27, 1998

By A Customer

Format:Audio CD

Simply put this has to be one of my favorite Cd's. Mere words can't express how well the combination of the John Coltrane Quartet sound and Johnny Hartman sounds. From 'They say it's wonderful' to 'Autumn serenade' all of the tracks are excellent to say the least. Johnny Hartman has one of the smoothest barritone singing voices I've ever heard. Listining to his voice on 'Lush life'(especially) gives me the chills. (I'd argue that their cover of that song is the best ever). This paired up with the already legendary sound of the John coltrane quartet makes this album not a must have but an essential for any coltrane fan. If you are even thinkg about buying this CD you've given it too much thought, BUY IT NOW! You wont regret it.

26 of 28 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Lush & Romantic Music December 7, 2000

By Thomas Magnum HALL OF FAMETOP 1000 REVIEWERVINE™ VOICE

Format:Audio CD

John Coltrane is one of the most inventive and innovative jazz musicians of all time, but he very well may be at his best with his work on these six simple ballads. By employing Johnny Hartman as the vocalist, Mr. Coltrane's tenor sax perfectly meshes with Mr. Hartman's deep, rich baritone voice. Mr. Hartman's voice is so sweet and mellow it practically drips out of your speakers. The songs are all arranged in a simple and understated manor and that adds to their elegance. Mr. Coltrane plays in smooth yet forceful tones that turn simple riffs into majestic sounds. McCoy Tyner provides the backbone of the album with his piano playing. He fills the holes with pretty tinkling of the ivories. The band is at their peak on the opening track "They Say It's Wonderful" that opens with a 2 minute solo by Mr. Coltrane and then drops Mr. Hartman's silky dulcitones on you. It doesn't get any more romantic than right here.

18 of 19 people found the following review helpful

3.0 out of 5 stars Consumer advisory for the "Originals" version August 30, 2009

By A.Y.H.

Format:Audio CD

I'm satisfied with the sound of the "Originals" digipak reissue of this classic (the one in a cardboard folder with an orange and black strip on the left side of the cover, with the word "ORIGINALS" on it) but fans of the album should know that this version may be different from the one to which you're accustomed.

After the session with Hartman, Coltrane returned to the studio to overdub some extra saxophone on several of these songs. The songs that received the extra saxophone were "They Say It's Wonderful", "You Are Too Beautiful" and one other (I've forgotten which). As with ASCENSION, two versions of this album were released - one with the overdubs, and one without.

The Originals version does _not_ contain these overdubs. For example, the Originals version of "You Are Too Beautiful" features _no saxophone at all_; Hartman is accompanied by Tyner, Garrison, and Jones only.

I actually prefer this unadorned version of the album for its plainer, more spacious sound; the well-known version is spoilt by too much reverb. But some listeners will miss the familiar sax ornamentation before "They Say It's Wonderful" is even underway. Perhaps more importantly though, this version of the album is NOT the one preferred by Coltrane himself.

The commonly-available CD version in a jewel case offers the version Coltrane approved..

49 of 59 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars The best jazz album of all time April 26, 2000

By "glv-jazz"

Format:Audio CD

The best of jazz musicians usually have one album that they are known for. With Miles Davis, it is "Kind of Blue". With Stan Getz, it is "Getz and Gilberto". While John Coltrane is probably better known for "A Love Supreme", I feel "John Coltrane and Johnny Hartman" is much superior. John Coltrane was easily one of the most influential jazz musicians of his time. While technically, he was not as good as Charlie Parker on the sax, he played with much better arangements. This CD is made up of six ballads in which Coltrane's tenor accompanies the voice of singer, Johnny Hartman. The two of them go together perfectly and record some of the greatest music ever recorded. All the songs fit just right on this album and there is not a single flaw to be heard on this album. For the begining jazz listener, I would recomend this album along with the other two I mentioned above. I never came across anyone who did not enjoy this CD and it is easy to hear why. Words cannot due this album justice. It has to be heard to be believed. It's worth every cent.