Johnny Hartman – The Voice That Is! (Hybrid SACD)
Vocals – Johnny Hartman
Piano – Hank Jones
Bass – Richard Davis
Drums – Osie Johnson
Guitar – Barry Galbraith
Orchestra, English Horn, Flute – Dick Hafer
Orchestra, Guitar – Howard Collins
Orchestra, Marimba – Phil Kraus
Orchestra, Percussion – Willie Rodriguez
Arranged by Bob Hammer
Written by Mack Gordon, Harry Warren (1), Norman Gimbel, Henry Mancini (2), Bart Howard (3), Alan Brandt , Ennio Morricone (4), Harry Link, Holt Marvell, Jack Strachey (5), Ira Gershwin, Kurt Weill (6), Buddy Kaye, Philip Springer (7), Frank Loesser (8), Jerry Bock, George Gershwin , Sheldon Harnick (9), Bill Evans, Gene Lees (10), Lorenz Hart ; Richard Rodgers 11)
1 Hybrid SACD
Original analog Master tape : YES
Stereo
Studio
Label : Analogue Productions
Original Label : Impulse
Recorded on September 22 & 24, 1964 at Studio Van Gelder Studio, Englewood Cliffs, NJ
Produced by Bob Thiele
Mastered by Kevin Gray
Originally released in 1964
Reissued in 2012
Tracks :
1. The More I See You
2. A Slow Hot Wind
3. Let Me Love You
4. Funny World (Theme Fom Malamondo)
5. These Foolish Things
6. My Ship
7. The Day The World Stopped Turning
8. Joey, Joey, Joey
9. Sunrise, Sunset
10. Waltz For Debbie
11. It Never Entered My Mind
Reviews :
“Ballad singer Johnny Hartman's third and final Impulse session is not quite on the same level as the first two. Although the earlier of the two sessions has several near-classic performances (including "My Ship," "Waltz for Debby," and "It Never Entered My Mind"), the second date has weaker material, primarily several songs from movies or shows, including "Sunrise, Sunset." Hartman is in fine form whether backed by the Hank Jones quartet or accompanied by an octet arranged by pianist Bob Hammer, but this set is not as essential as his earlier meetings with John Coltrane and Illinois Jacquet.” AllMusic review by Scott Yanow.
"The lush baritone voice of Johnny Hartman enriched many big bands in the Forties and Fifties including Dizzy Gillespie's and Erol Garner's. But in the sixties he recorded many fine albums as leader and with all-star small groups. Although not as popular as some of his other releases, "The Voice That Is" is an exceptional showcase of his beautiful talent.
Hartman is clearly the central figure in this recording. He doesn't share the limelight with many soloists as on his other jazz-oriented albums of the same period. The backing music is wonderfully arranged by Bob Hammer in total support of his singing. "My Ship" starts with just guitar whose high voicing beautifully augments Hartman's deep voice. A good part of the bluesy "The More I See You" has Hartman in a duet with the bass. Several songs have a latin feel employing, by degrees: an acoustic guitar, marimba, latin percussion (including castanets) and an oboe, such as on "The Day the World Stopped Turning" and "Joey, Joey, Joey." Others have a standard quartet backing with guitar, bass, drums and great sensitive piano work by Hank Jones.Hartman has a deeply resonant and clear voice. He very carefully articulates the lyrics giving life to the words he is singing. His forte is the ballad. On "My Ship" he wonderfully creates the dreamy and yearning quality of the song. His terse attack and slow release also wonderfully describes a passionate glance on "A Slow Hot Wind." He also changes to an effective blues style for "The More I See You." Hartman far exceeds the most important goal for a vocalist, to have a moving effect on the listener.
This recording is an wonderfully arranged and supportive showcase for Johnny Hartman's rich and full voice. It may not be as jazzy as some of his recordings, but leaning just a bit towards the popular style seems to bring out the best he has to offer. And a listen to this album should convince you his offerings are considerable." All About Jazz, review by AAJ Staff
Rating:
AllMusic : 4 / 5 ; Discogs : 4.75 / 5 ; The Rolling Stone Jazz Record Guide : 4 / 5