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. ~ Scott Yanow