The second Impulse! session for ballad singer
Johnny Hartman followed his classic collaboration with
John Coltrane.
Hartman is heard in peak form throughout these 11 pieces, which include "In the Wee Small Hours of the Morning," "Sleepin' Bee," "Stairway to the Stars," and even "Charade." Tenor saxophonist
Illinois Jacquet is on five of the songs, guitarists
Kenny Burrell and
Jim Hall help out on a few tunes, and
Hartman is consistently accompanied by pianist
Hank Jones, bassist
Milt Hinton, and drummer
Elvin Jones. This is one of his finest recordings. ~ Scott Yanow