It is truly difficult to write a review for this album without using superlatives (or expletives, for that matter). You are combining the great John Coltrane Quartet with a man whose voice was seemingly made to play duets with Coltrane. Johnny Hartman's smoky, dark baritone voice perfectly complements Coltrane's sound.
To add to this, McCoy Tyner provides a beautiful, airy piano accompaniment without being even remotely saccharine or cliched. Garrison and Jones are holding back quite a bit on this record, which seems to be the right move in this case.
Every track on this album is brilliant. However, "My One and Only Love" stands out above all of them. Coltrane's playing of the head is perfectly nuanced and delicate - he is considered a brilliant ballad player for a REASON. And when Hartman comes in with the vocals, my hair just stands on it.
This is an album of a level of beauty that smooth jazz wishes it could attain, but cannot possibly hope to reach. It is essential for anybody who loves music. [abstracted from Amazon reviews]
3 comments:
Just letting you know I'm listening, but where's My One and Only Love?
Guess I chose the wrong week for Coltrane/Hartman.
Ejay; I just grabbed three without a lot of thought.
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