This and the Coltrane CD are Hartman's best
Steve Emerine | Tucson, AZ United States | 10/03/2007
(5 out of 5 stars)
"This 2-CD package from Gambit Records is a wonderful surprise for Johnny Hartman fans as it introduces two 1976 live sessions from Boston that show him at his very best. With the possible exception of Hartman's all-too-short album with John Coltrane, this is the great singer's best effort. Relaxed and with his voice at its strongest, he demonstrates the style many people were unaware of until after his death. In addition to 21 tunes with Reggie Moore on piano, Alex Lane on bass and Bill English on drums from the Boston appearance, the package includes nine bonus numbers from a 1977 Tokyo appearance with Sir Roland Hanna on piano and George Mraz on bass. The set offers more than two hours of Hartman's singing and a splendid 16-page booklet with recording details and the songs' lyrics. Any listing of top jazz albums for 2007 must include these Boston and Tokyo sessions."