Credit the film and album
The Bridges of Madison County with causing a great deal of excitement about crooner
Johnny Hartman, a vocalist with a silky voice that almost defies description.
Hartman has seen many of his albums reissued, with rapidly rising sales, since the release of the film. This collection marks the debut of
Clint Eastwood's Malpaso Records label, which
Eastwood intends to focus on jazz, and it's certainly a good start, featuring songs from
Hartman,
Dinah Washington,
Irene Kral, and
Barbara Lewis, as well as two versions of "Doe Eyes," an instrumental piece composed by
Eastwood and arranged/conducted by longtime
Eastwood collaborator
Lennie Niehaus. Overall, the album is charming, low-key, and smooth, very much a record worth getting. ~ Steven McDonald