Susan G. from SOMERVILLE, MA Reviewed on 9/10/2006...
Crooner stuff
CD Reviews
FANTASTIC!!!!!!!!!
Tascam48 | Nashville, Tn | 06/14/2005
(5 out of 5 stars)
"A wholesale improvement in sound quality when played back in SACD mode over the impulse release. Other than some tape hiss, terrific presence and very much a "you are there" quality to the sound. Hartman was a fabulous singer and Coltrane is at his best doing ballads. If you like romantic jazz with up front vocals and sax, this is a must have disc. I own about 2000 CDs. This is in my top 10 favorites."
An absolute must for Coltrane lovers
Anthony B. Gazzillo | Watchung, NJ USA | 12/31/2004
(5 out of 5 stars)
"As a saxophonist, I have been a Coltrane lover for twenty years, and have avoided any vocal contamination of his and other jazz greats' works. All of that changed when I listened to this album! The polished intensity of Coltrane's tenor sax blended with the baritone crooning of Johnny Hartman make this one of the most romantic albums in jazz (and that is saying something).
Johnny Hartman, while a star in his own right, has never has inspired me as much. And while, "A Love Supreme," released a year and a half later in 1965, is arguably Coltrane's greatest work, "John Coltrane & Johnny Hartman," is more intimate and at the same time, accessible for the listener. The struggle to describe the radiance of divinity and reverence is replaced by the more tangible themes of a human's trials and triumphs in love. If you only get one album to share with your sweetheart, this is the one to get!"
It doesn't get any better than this . . .
J. George | VI | 03/30/2008
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Recognized for years as a Jazz Classic, an essential recording . . . one of those desert island recordings; there is very little that can be added that has not already been written about this recording. The qualities of these great artists came together on this very special recording. It is simply that good. The technology through the years has improved and fortunately the remastering of this classic has been done well enough to give honor to the original vinyl rendering.
Hartman sounds as if he were in your room while Coltrane simplifies his music to support the vocal (his only recording to do so). It takes genius and great self esteem to keep it within the boundaries of the entire ensemble. Coltrane did this on this recording to his credit / genius.
This recording is a "must have" for any serious music fan. A wonderful start (or finish) to any evening.