Johnny Hartman - For Trane (1972) [1997 The Blue Note Collection]

This CD combines together parts of two sessions recorded in Tokyo by the warm ballad singer Johnny Hartman. Although titled For Trane, the vocal recital only has three songs associated with John Coltrane ("My Favorite Things," "Violets for Your Furs," and "Nature Boy") and the majority of the selections are actually taken from an unrelated session in which Hartman was matched with trumpeter Terumasa Hino. The music alternates between ballads ("Violets for Your Furs" and "The Nearness of You" are high points) and swingers and, although Hartman does not really improvise, his voice (still in its prime at the time) is appealing. Considering his slim discography, Johnny Hartman's fans will definitely want this one. - AllMusic Review

Tracks:

1 My Favorite Things
2 Violets for Your Furs
3 Nature Boy
4 Summertime
5 Why Did I Choose You
6 The Nearness of You
7 I'm Glad There Is You
8 On Green Dolphin Street
9 My Funny Valentine
10 Sometimes I'm Happy
11 S'Posin