John Coltrane and Johnny Hartman

During John Coltrane’s high years, he reveled as an unmatched musician that was on a whole different playing field. Even when he matched up with artists of similar ilk, like even Miles Davis, he outshined because his skill was something extraordinary. Ears unlike many others, skills that matched his impeccable ears and this silvery, smooth delivery, he was the best of the best. So during the early 60s Coltrane was just catching steam when he teamed with vocalist Johnny Hartman for what many consider a true jazz classic in balladry.

Make no qualms about it, Coltrane’s list of albums is deep and this is just one of a sample collection that further showcases his ear for melody. On this album he would take a backseat almost to Hartman’s singing as the two recorded the entire album in one day. Legend has it that Hartman went to one of Coltrane’s shows where he stayed until he finished and the two performed together and felt the fire. Agreeing to make an album together, they supposedly had their set list picked before they heard Nat King Cole singing “Lush Life” on the radio. Suddenly, the duo felt compelled to record their own definitive version of it. Here you can definitely tell that Coltrane allowed Hartman to take over, his voice sounds clear and very mellow, subdued almost by Coltrane’s serene style. You can hear his soft sax as it creeps into the song at about the two minute mark, always staying right underneath. Personally, yes to me, the sax is the star but you gotta love the way Coltrane allowed another star to reach high as well. The song’s lyrics were written by Billy Strayhorn who once said, “all music is beautiful,” agree or not, this is definitely just that, beautiful.

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And then there is “My One and Only Love,” where Coltrane takes the lead from the beginning with a melodically linear line. His saxophone renders half breaths where he dips notes, he takes the melody and adds the 7^th just to make it that much brighter and the piano is nothing more than decoration to Coltrane’s undeniably sweet saxophone skills. Just six songs short, this piece closes the first side of the record with a distant calling of love and although reminiscent, it sounds happy to have loved. Now, I’m not getting romantic or anything but this has to be the kind of music one would love to play at their wedding. The bright and sprinkling drums signal Hartman’s singing as he calls out with his singing heart. It’s timeless and the utter presentation of romanticism at its best. Even if they only paired up once and all we got was these six songs, it was obviously well worth it. – Bryan