Johnny Hartman

• 4 STARS ALL MUSIC GUIDE

Baritone singer Johnny Hartman's final recording (cut three years before his death) finds the 56-year-old singer still in prime form. Accompanied by pianist/arranger Tony Monte, guitarist Lorne Lofsky, bassist Chris Conner and drummer Craig "Buff" Allen, Hartman is as warm as usual on ballads, and also swings lightly on a few medium-tempo pieces. Among the ten selections heard on this CD reissue are "That's All," "Wait Till You See Her," "It Could Happen to You" and an effective rendition of "Send in the Clowns." It's a shame that Hartman could not know at this discouraging point in his career how famous he would become posthumously.

PERSONNEL:

• Johnny Hartman - vocals
• Tony Monte - piano
• Lorne Lofsky - guitar
• Chris Conner - bass
• Craig "Buff" Allen - drums

Recorded at Grant Avenue Studios, Canada August 23, 1980.

TRACKS:

• 01. That's All
• 02. They Can't Take That Away From Me
• 03. More I Cannot Wish You
• 04. Wait 'Ttill You See Her
• 05. Miss Otis Regrets
• 06. Then I'll Be Tired Of You
• 07. It Could Happen to You
• 08. Send It the Clowns
• 09. You Stepped Out of A Dream
• 10. The Ballad Of The Sad Young Men