For Trane

by Scott YanowThis CD combines together parts of two sessions recorded in Tokyo by the warm ballad singer Johnny Hartman. Although titled For Trane, the vocal recital only has three songs associated with John Coltrane ("My Favorite Things," "Violets For Your Furs" and "Nature Boy") and the majority of the selections are actually taken from an unrelated session in which Hartman's was matched with trumpeter Terumasa Hino. The music alternates between ballads ("Violets For Your Furs" and "The Nearness Of You" are highpoints) and swingers and, although Hartman does not really improvise, his voice (still in its prime at the time) is appealing. Considering his slim discography, Johnny Hartman's fans will definitely want this one.