Home » Jazz Articles » Album Review » Johnny Hartman: The Perception Years

Johnny Hartman: The Perception Years

By AAJ Staff
January 22, 2003
View read count

On this two-fer disc of early '70s albums Today and I’ve Been There, the voice that went almost note for note with John Coltrane does what he does best and more (or less). Though chock full of Mercer-ized timeless ballads, this oft-dynamic duo also offers more dated and perhaps less well chosen selections. The albums range from Jim Webb’s "Didn’t We" and a chiming take on Johnny Mercer’s (no relation) "Summer Wind," to a pair by Kris Kristofferson and a hurried ride over Simon and Garfunkel’s "The 59th Street Bridge Song."

Even Lord of the Lounge Burt Bacharach gets a nod with "Raindrops Keep Falling on My Head" and The Carpenters get shellaqued with a rather dry cover of Paul Williams’ "Rainy Days and Mondays" and a mournful "We’ve Only Just Begun." Perhaps copying The Chairman a bit too much, this notable F.o.F. (that’s "Friend of Mr. Sinatra") dips both into the Now and into the uncomfortably contemporary. While "Easy Come Easy Go" may promote swinging polygamy, "Sunday Sun" tackles the fears and foibles of divorced dads. Though Hartman is able to impart feeling and pathos to most of the phrases, some seem to get away or just be given away.

Personnel

Johnny Hartman

vocals

Album information

Title: The Perception Years | Year Released: 2003 | Record Label: Collectables

PREVIOUS / NEXT

Yenisei-Punk
< Previous

A Man About A Horse
Next >

Support All About Jazz

All About Jazz has been a pillar of jazz since 1995, championing it as an art form and, more importantly, supporting the musicians who make it. Our enduring commitment has made "AAJ" one of the most culturally important websites of its kind, read by hundreds of thousands of fans, musicians and industry figures every month.

Go Ad Free!

To maintain our platform while developing new means to foster jazz discovery and connectivity, we need your help. You can become a sustaining member for as little as $20 and in return, we'll immediately hide those pesky ads plus provide access to future articles for a full year. This winning combination vastly improves your AAJ experience and allow us to vigorously build on the pioneering work we first started in 1995. So enjoy an ad-free AAJ experience and help us remain a positive beacon for jazz by making a donation today.