Johnny Hartman: These Foolish Things
Musicians:
Johnny Hartman (vocals), Hank Jones (piano), Barry Galbraith (guitar), Richard Davis (bass), Osie Johnson (drums).
Composed by Harry Link, Holt Marvell and Jack Strachey
.Recorded: New York, September 22, 1964
Rating: 94/100 (learn more)
Here's my wish list. I want to have Bill Gates's bank account, Tom Cruise's smile, Tiger Woods's putting game and . . . Johnny Hartman's voice. Yep, this is how every guy wants to sound. You will never get put on hold when you phone customer service. Heck, the lovely ladies will never hang up on you again. You won't need that Tom Cruise smile any more. You can even get away with singing silly phrases like: "The cigarette that bears lipstick traces / An airline ticket to exotic places." It's a shame Mr. Hartman didn't make more jazz records. But we can enjoy the ones he left behind. He is especially fine with a slow, moody ballad, as he demonstrates on this track.
Reviewer: Ted Gioia
Tags: jazz vocals · these foolish things
always a treat to see/hear Johnny H, whether with Coltrane or doing his damnedest to elevate the shlockier pop productions he sometimes got (willingly?) saddled with. nice that Clint Eastwood reawakened to world to Hartman with his selections in the Bridges movie--Johnny was easily the best aspect of that swoozy film. The Very Thought of... Hartman... will put a song in your heart!