John Coltrane and Johnny Hartman - A sonic surprise from the Acoustic Sounds Impulse Series!
HTML-код
- Опубликовано: 1 май 2022
- In this video, I cover the newest addition to the Acoustic Sounds Impulse Series, John Coltrane And Johnny Hartman.I've been snapping up these superb Verve Acoustic Sounds Series releases as they come out and they are pretty much on automatic buy. I purposely did not preview this particular record, because my streaming setup is not anything special. Nine times out of ten, when I get the actual record on the turntable, I'm blown away how much better it sounds than the stream. I had a feeling this would be something I'd like and I was right! It became an instant favorite around here and I couldn't wait to let you know all about it.
This is a very special series, wonderfully curated and overseen by Chad Kassem, who has engaged the best mastering engineers, and pressed the records at his own pressing plant QRP. The glossy Stoughton gatefolds are the icing on the cake.
If you are thinking of getting any of these titles and you use Amazon, you could help out the channel by using these links to order. Thank You!
(As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases)
John Coltrane and Johnny Hartman (Acoustic Sounds Series LP)
amzn.to/3KAoH0r
Duke Ellington and John Coltrane (Acoustic Sounds Series LP)
amzn.to/3kw7A5m
Duke Ellington Meets Coleman Hawkins (Acoustic Sounds Series LP)
amzn.to/3F3HfF6
John Coltrane Quintet: Crescent (Acoustic Sounds Series LP)
amzn.to/3vTDBcN
John Coltrane: Live At The Village Vanguard (Acoustic Sounds Series LP)
amzn.to/374vtxx
John Coltrane: Ballads (Acoustic Sounds Series LP)
amzn.to/3y5dNgo
Bill Evans: Trio '65
amzn.to/3MGA5ZZ
Ella Wishes You A Swinging Christmas (Acoustic Sounds Series LP)
amzn.to/3LurXvr
Ray Charles: Genius + Jazz = Soul (Acoustic Sounds Series LP)
amzn.to/3LurXvr
Sonny Rollins: On Impulse (Acoustic Sounds Series LP)
amzn.to/3MK1SZv
Peggy Lee: Black Coffee (Acoustic Sounds Series LP)
amzn.to/3LzzE3C
George Russell: New York, NY (Acoustic Sounds Series LP)
amzn.to/3s4jHL8
Contemporary Acoustic Sounds Series Preorders
Art Pepper Meets The Rhythm Section
amzn.to/3vvcGoC
Art Pepper + 11
amzn.to/3vxXN4K
Barney Kessel, Shelly Manne and Ray Brown: The Poll Winners
amzn.to/37T1Srw
Shelly Manne: My Fair Lady
amzn.to/3s5qLaa
Benny Carter: Jazz Giant
amzn.to/3KABLCE
~-~~-~~~-~~-~
Please watch: "RCA Living Stereo - Analogue Productions Resurrects A Legendary Label"
• Golden Age Classical R...
~-~~-~~~-~~-~ 
Видеоклипы
I have this on Impulse and had never listened to it before I read an endorsement of it on an analog audio dealers web site. So happy with the purchase! Quite lovely and outstanding recording. Very special.
This one was one of the biggest surprises of last year! Fantastic sounding record and what a performance! Glad you got one!
A fantastic and captivating album, one of the few that I cannot put on without giving it my full attention. Lush Life is 5 of the most beautiful minutes of music recorded!...both Hartman and Coltrane make it sound so fluid when, actually, it is a ferociously difficult song to sing (or play). Sinatra tried it once during the “Only the Lonely” sessions, gave up midway through, and never tried it again!
Excellent comment, thank you Steven! I'm glad to see the album has some loyal fans. Hopefully this widespread release will have more people listening!
This album is an absolute charm. Coltrane along with Hartman’s baritone voice was so beautifully done. Another thing that I found interesting was McCoy’s piano playing. It was smooth and effortless. The synergy of the musicians gave this album such a beautiful life that I would be hard pressed to find a jazz lover who would not to like this album. Scott I glad you found another Coltrane title that you like keep exploring and expanding as I am doing the same with other genres.
Hi Brian, this was such a nice discovery for me and really a total surprise. This one will be getting a lot of play. It's prompted me to return to some of the other Coltrane records for another listen with a new appreciation for his art. This is exactly why I collect records the way I do. I got a bit of pushback for buying records that I wasn't really into yet, but now I have them to refer back to and get more out of them than I did on the first few listens. To me this is the way to build a library that keeps on giving.
Johnny Hartman is of the Billy Eckstein school of singing
That reminds me to dig up some Billy Eckstein. I think I have some on Mercury in the vault!
I don’t know who “a lot of people” are but Hartman is legendary and his rendition of Lush Life is the greatest of them all. This album stands as one of the greatest examples of the art.
Hi Luke, I agree absolutely, however when researching comments in forums and user reviews, I did come across "some people" who did not care for the style of singing on the album. Perhaps "a lot of people" was the wrong choice of words. Personally it comes down to if "I" like it and I can say unequivocally "Yes!" Thanks for your comment. What did you think about the sound on this edition?
@@ThePressingMatters sadly I haven’t gotten my copy yet (Thursday. Allegedly). I have an older pressing which I’m happy with. Honestly the album is so good that I stream it at 44.1k all the time and never really think about things like sound stage etc. It’s Lush Life. Billy Strayhorn’s poetry (And Hartman’s interpretation, tone and timing) is so beautiful that I never really tire of it. That being said, I cant wait for the KG treatment. He’s done an exceptional job on all the others.
@@lukedermott1589 True it's really all about the music, and I have no other copy to compare, but I'm certain you'll be thrilled with it. The sound quality definitely drew me in to the performances. It's very intimate. This one is mastered by Ryan Smith at Sterling not KG (I know, it's hard to keep track with all these various reissue campaigns!)
@@ThePressingMatters oh right! Well, regardless, I’m looking forward to it. Thanks for the review.
I totally agree, Scott. The album is gorgeous in its lyricism. A perfect Sunday morning record.
I can't wait til next Sunday to play it again - well maybe I won't wait that long!
If you want to explore more of Johnny Hartman, I'd reccomend "Songs from the heart".
I'll see if I can stream it. I'd love more from Johnny Hartman!
Well Done Scott. This pressing done at Sterling and Mastered by Ryan K. Smith sounds spectacular. The 5 artist just shine on the chosen tracks!
Thank you! I guess you could tell I'm crazy about it! I've only grown to admire it more and more. This is an example of why this journey into jazz is so rewarding. I would have had no idea about this album unless it was presented in this beautiful series. I think we're living in a new golden age for vinyl. So many treasures done to impeccable standards. Thanks for stopping by - I appreciate your comments!
Love this album and can’t wait to get my copy coming soon!
Hi Craig, I'd love to know what you think of it once you've heard the new edition. Please stop back and let us know!
Hey Scott, I wrote you a couple of weeks ago, when you said you were getting this via pre-order. I wrote that I thought you'd like it, based on your previous videos. I too, tend to like ballads, and am really glad you like it as much as you do. My pre-order is on it's way, so can't wait to hear it on vinyl. I know it's going to get a lot of play, along with my boy Chet Baker.
Where I've not seen all of your videos, but a really nice (mostly) ballad album is Chet from 1959. You may have already did a vid on that, but I haven't seen all you vids. It is sublime. I really like your take on music and really look forward to seeing your videos. Happy Listening.
Thank you so much! I remember your comment and you were absolutely right. I can tell you've been paying attention because you seem to know exactly what I'd like in this genre. Funny you should mention Chet. Although I have not done a video on it, I've thought about doing a favorite jazz albums video soon, and Chet would be in my top 3. I just adore the album and listen to it often. To me this is his best of the several I have. Absolutely perfect record. So good to hear from you again, and thank you for watching.
Thanks for another great review Scott. I've been previewing this from Apple music for a few weeks. I did find some of the phrasing by Johnny Hartman a little clichéd on first listen - but it has grown on me. This is a very calming and soothing album. I placed my preorder on amazon before I saw your links but I'll try and go through those to support the channel next time. I'm really enjoying these Verve Acoustic Sounds releases. They are so good.
Thank you so much Kevin. I do understand your initial reaction to Johnny Hartman's phrasing - I had the same reaction but was completely won over by his artistry. Gorgeous tone. Coltrane too - his way with this material is elegant and understated. Just a perfect record in every way. I appreciate your support, and you'll almost always find a nice selection of related links as well as the album being discussed in the description. This really does help to keep the channel growing. Great comment, thanks for stopping by and sharing your experience with this incredible music. I hope you'll let me know how you like the record once you've had a chance to immerse yourself in it.
@@ThePressingMatters Thanks Scott - sure, I'll report back. Listening to it streaming now but it's just not the same as from the turntable! Chat soon!
@@Kevin_Hanrahan It sure isn't the same. I've done it with a lot of unfamiliar jazz albums and been underwhelmed. But once the vinyl hit the turntable it was a whole other experience. I've been very surprised many times. Admittedly my streaming setup leaves a lot to be desired.
@@ThePressingMatters Well that's a good point. My set up is really geared towards vinyl - and honestly it's pretty modest compared to some people's I see online! But the difference is pretty huge between streaming and playing vinyl - particularly on audiophile pressings. Then, it's really no question. I still remember fondly the moment I listened to Sgt.Pepper in Mono on vinyl and suddenly I understood why people rated it so highly. I just could not connect with the digital copy at all. It's a strange one though - as it does seem audio, and vinyl loving in general is a very personal and subjective thing. Some of my closest friends glaze over when I play them demonstrably better sounding audio from vinyl - I guess not giving a s**t might also play a part though. Haha
@@Kevin_Hanrahan Sgt Pepper mono was my aha! moment when I finally understood mono could be preferable to stereo.
I have always loved this album since I first heard it in the mid-1980s. I would call Johnny Hartman's singing classic jazz singing rather than old-fashioned. Whatever you call it, his singing is absolutely beautiful.
Johnny Hartman is considered in jazz to be the heir apparent to Billy Eckstine who was popular in the late 1930s to early 1950s, and whose early career straddled the transition from swing to bebop and modern jazz. Billy Eckstine's ballad singing style heavily influenced the younger jazz singers Johnny Hartman and Sarah Vaughan.
If you want to hear more of John Coltrane's playing at a slow pace, but without Johnny Hartman's impeccable vocals. I would recommend the album "John Coltrane Quartet - Ballads" also on Impulse! Records.
Great comment, and I agree that old fashioned wasn't the best choice of words. I'm going to check into your suggestions. I do have Ballads and like it very much.
@@ThePressingMatters My recommendations for where to start with listening to Sarah Vaughan are her three albums "The Divine One," "After Hours," and "Sarah + 2" recorded in the early 1960s on Roulette Records when she was at the height of her vocal abilities.
You can find selections by Sarah from these albums at various sites online, including RUclips, to determine whether or not you like her singing and these particular albums. Here are RUclips links: ruclips.net/video/F79W9y80aas/видео.html , ruclips.net/video/041Oz9jN9_g/видео.html , and ruclips.net/video/skKOG-C_FQw/видео.html
There are audiophile pressings on vinyl of these albums available, for example from www.purepleasurerecords.com/reviews.html#!/~/search/keyword=Sarah%20Vaughan and store.acousticsounds.com/index.cfm?get=results&searchtext=Sarah+Vaughan
@@luminiferous1960 i do own one Sarah Vaughn album, the one that was released on Emarcy and reissued in the Acoustic Sounds Series. It's with Clifford Brown.
@@ThePressingMatters I know the Sarah Vaughan with Clifford Brown album well and it is a great one.
I would add, however, that in the 5+ years between the recording of that album and the recording of the three albums I listed, Sarah's approach to exploring the meaning of the lyrics matured significantly.
Those three albums also have better sound quality which captures better the richness of Sarah's voice.
In addition, the albums "After Hours" and "Sarah + 2" have an intimate, after hours in a jazz club feel to them that are not unlike the feeling provided by the Johnny Hartman and John Coltrane album. They feel a little less bright, slick, and glossy than the Sarah Vaughan with Clifford Brown album.
This reminds me that Dinah Washington also recorded a great album with Clifford Brown entitled "Dinah Jams." It is a live recording. It is very different from the Sarah Vaughan albums, but if you are up for something much more raw and sizzling with excitement, even explosive at times, check out "Dinah Jams." See ruclips.net/video/f4hcnwMdR0Q/видео.html
@@luminiferous1960 I think I have After Hours in the vault (the garage!)
I'll have to dig it out. I like the concept. Probably right up my alley!
This record is on many "best jazz vocal albums of all time" lists, and on a few "best jazz albums of all time" lists.
There are lots of pressings of it from over the years, some great, some okay, but anything that comes out in the highly regarded Acoustic Sounds series gets renewed attention, hence videos like yours.
Coltrane displayed incredible chops with his "sheets of sound" solos on records on Prestige in the late 50s, and many of his aggressive solos on his more modal tracks, like some of his Atlantic records and the Village Vanguard recordings.
And whenever there's an artist that displays incredible chops, there will be critics claiming that the artist can't play pretty, or with subtlety, or with restraint - like Oscar Peterson and Art Tatum for example.
Just like Oscar and Art disproved their critics, Trane came out with extremely beautiful records like this one with Hartman, and The Gentle Side of Coltrane, and the Ballads album. He clearly has a gorgeous tone and is capable of playing with subtlety and restraint. Maybe the critics thought they'd get attention for attacking one of the world's greatest jazz saxophonists, who knows.
You are definitely spot on about Trane's tone and playing being gorgeous on this record. It was nicely recorded, and my much older pressing is so sweet-sounding that it doesn't make sense for me to buy the new Acoustic Sounds pressing (though the same was true for the previous Coltrane LPs in this series, and I bought them anyway, so I might break down and get this one).
I agree with you, people who haven't heard this record, especially jazz vocal fans or Coltrane fans, should check it out on streaming.
Thanks for the video, see you in the next one.
Ron
Kenosha WI
USA
Ron, thanks for the great comment! I'm sure the viewers can get a lot from it. Your knowledge on Jazz is extensive, and I love when you share your outlook here. Thank you!
Hey Scott, I totally agree with your opinion on the album. I can’t wait to get my copy. It’s the perfect Sunday morning album. If you’re interested in more Johnny Hartman give his album I Just Dropped By To Say Hello a listen. It’s also on Impulse so he was paired with some top notch jazz musicians like Kenny Burrell, Elvin Jones and others that I can’t recall.
Wow that sounds like a good lineup! Hope that comes around in this series. Thanks Cristian, for your comment and recommendation!
This album is pure perfection imo, up there with Bill Evans "Everybody digs Bill Evans" (Peace Piece), and Frank Sinatra's version of "one for my baby".
Yes it is. I'm so glad I took a chance on this.
Looking forward to comparing this to my ORG45. Hoping the 33 is as good or better so I can sell the other and avoid the double record flipping.
I have to start considering that as well now that I have so many duplicates in both formats. I didn't know this had come out on an ORG release. Please let us know what conclusion you come to once you've compared.I value your opinion and I'm sure other commenters would like your take on it also.
@@ThePressingMatters I sure will on SHF anyway. Probably post some samples as well if people want to hear. These EU preorders are taking a while recently though.
I agree, terrific album. I have it on 45 but ordered this as well. If you like this, buy his other great album, Johnny Hartman - Once In Every Life. Acoustic sounds has it on 45 but expensive. I have it on it’s first label, which was inexpensive at the time. I think it was Beehive. Great pressing, by the way, very quiet. Sonics are also amazing on this though not RVG.
Thanks Eric, I'll have a listen to that and perhaps pick it up. Great info thank you!
I'm looking forward to get my (preordered) copy, i only have the 1999 MFSL CD, which sounds great. But i saw some not so good comments on discogs (?) I have 5 Acoustic Sounds Reissues so far, and all are really excellent IMO (althoug i personally prefer vintage versions as a rule) By the way: Johnny Hartman is featured in the soundtrack of the movie The Bridges of Madison County, with Clint Eastwood and Maryl Streep ! Nice review, Scott :-)
I will have to look at Discogs reviews and see what they are talking about. You'll be thrilled I can bet on it!
Got my copy today. VERY noisy. Constant left channel (tape?) hiss. Very annoying and distracting. On the upside the vocals are beautiful.
Hi Luke, I'm sorry to hear you had an issue with the record. Are you sure it isn't defective? As I mentioned in the video, I do hear tape hiss, but not to the point of distraction. I accept there will be some hiss if there is no noise reduction used on a vintage recording, and personally I prefer that to cutting the hiss and some of the highs with it. I'll listen again to verify if I hear strong hiss in the left channel and get back to you.
@@ThePressingMatters I gave it a clean then listened again and did a head to head with my older pressing and a stream. It seems to be tape hiss. It’s at it’s worse on tracks 1 and 2 then improves from there. Side 2 is much better (and that’s where Lush Life is so I’m ok). Verdict, it is certainly the best version of the album I’ve heard, especially with regard to Hartman’s vocals. But it’s not the best sounding of the Impulse re-issues.
I will check my copy when I get it tomorrow, I have all impulse series pressings and they are spectacular sounding, my hana ml does extract only music from those records but if there is tape hiss I will hear it too
@@audioguy67 update (since you mentioned your cart) I switched from the much maligned Sumiko Blue Point No.2 to an Ortofon Bronze and the sound has improved noticeably-as you would expect based on price point. There is far less noise now. Interestingly, the vocals are not as up front and holographic as before, but smoother. Everything is a trade off.
@@lukedermott1589 check out hana ml the stylus shape allows to go deeper in the groves and I don't feel like vocals are recessed, I come from Blue Point also and it was really noisy one when I compare to Hana, ML does real magic with those grooves