John Coltrane and Johnny Hartman

Yo, peeps; you won't believe it if you listen to this CD: John Coletrane & Johnny Hartman... After my lesson I decided I'd do some listening, so I popped on that esteemed member of my music collection... The personnel are: Tenor Sax: John Coletrane, Piano: McCoy Tyner... Drums: Elvin Jones... Bass: Jimmy Garrison... Vocals: Johnny Hartman... Producer: Bob Thiele... Engineer: Rudy Van Gelder... Label: MCA Impulse! Records MCAD5661 JVC-466. The titles are: 1)They say it's wonderful, 2)Dedicated to You, 3) My One and Only Love, 4)Lush Life, 5) You are too beautiful, 6) Autumn Serenade. I figured I'd review the CD for you guys...K?....here goes:

Here is my reviewing system UPDATED 11/11/01

REVIEWING SYSTEM

I will be evaluating musical performances based on the following system: this system is intended to convey the reviewer's musical opinion in detail. It is a system designed to inform the reader and promote aspects of the reviewed material. It is a means of recognizing and encouraging highest achievement in music. Negative comments herein are intended to promote excellence, not intended as personally disparaging comments.

Reviewing System:

59% = "F" = failing. This performance is not at a professional level. I encourage you strongly to avail yourself of educational avenues or other professions in the pursuit of excellence.

60% - 63% = "D-" = extremely poor. There are many, many issues in the performance which are at an extremely poor level. I would advise you to simplify your musical activities and seek educational activities and immediate excellence, or seek another profession.

64% - 66% = "D" = very poor. I would suggest you try to make it easy on yourself. (for example simplify or take easier tempos and step up your practicing and studying)

67% - 69% = "D+" = poor. Please pay attention. Are you doing your best to observe your mistakes objectively. Let me encourage you to act quickly and thoroughly to improve. Are you in denial of your weak points? Do you see your mistakes as good opportunities, or bad traumas? Do you have a sense of humor? This performance sucks, but it can be a good eye opener - a saving wake up call if you will.

70% - 73% = barely fair ="C-" This performance is not good, but at least you are not scraping the bottom of the barrel.

74% - 76% = fair = "C" This is the midpoint between failing and excellence. This musical performance is mediocre. May I offer you an idea...have you refreshed your seeking attitude lately? are you advancing towards excellence?

77% - 79% = OK= "C+" This performance is ok. I am not jumping up and down, but it's OK Satisfactory.

80% - 83% = pretty good = "B-" This performance is pretty good, with a few minor problems here and there. I hope you don't stop now. I wish you well.

84% - 86% = good = "B" This performance warrants a solid "B" a good quality performance. Please let me encourage you to just advance forward.

87% - 89% = very good = "B+" = This is very nice. No major problems at all. I hope you never give up. I feel you are on to something.

90% - 93% = excellent = "A-" = Great! Almost perfect. Way to go. This is an ideal performance. This is what I am referring to when I encourage you to strive for excellence or immediate mastery. Now I hope you go for that "extra mile".

94% - 95% =exceptional = "A" = Setting aside minor detail , this performance warrants a perfect score: there were no mistakes. Now are you thinking musically and conceptually and artistically? Are you going for your gold?

96% = technically perfect. Gold medal. I have No complaints. Very musical. Perfect attention to detail. Is there a higher goal now for you?

97% = technically perfect plus super confident. You exhibit quite a flair style aplomb. Thank you so much for exhibiting such artistry.

98% = technically perfect, plus super confident, plus exhibiting some measure of ingenuity or genius. Humble thanks for your genius example.

99% = technically perfect + confident plus cathartic or moves someone to tears. I'm feeling this in the depths of my heart. Thank you so much.

100% = technically perfect +confident + ingenious + cathartic + moving towards global human happiness in your own way. Profoundly uplifting for the human spirit. Sincere thanks for your rare and beloved example of artistry and mastery.

 

This whole system was originally designed for affording the student a means for quantifying his/her performance in order to track his/her progress. However, it may hopefully have some value for professional artists as inspiration or as a tool for gaining perspective or as promotion.

These grades do not assume that the author is perfect. I hope we all can engage in a journey towards dynamic perfect excellence as musical artists together. In my view a poor musical performance doesn't make you a bad person. Nor does a good musical performance make you a good person, so please don't interpret a poor grade to have a negative personal connotation. Also, I hope you don't fall into the typical trap of becoming an arrogant artist based on positive evaluations or excellent performances.

I dedicate this system to my late step mom, Doris. Because of her kind love, I have determined to hold myself to the same high standards I hold for the reviewees or my students. :-)

LET'S ADVANCE!

By the end of the first tune on this record I was already in tears from the sheer beauty and dignity of this music. Wonderful- ...then I became totally re- dedicated to my deepest ethical principles just from listening to this second cut! In two fell swoops these maestros earned 97%,98% AND 99%. I'm not gonna hold my breath and wait for any technical musical errors to ruin a perfect 100% score...

Hart man and Coletrane are an unbeatable team-they have a unity and obvious mutual respect- plus a respect for the lyrics (both men) and a dedication to advancing which is infectious- ...Dedicated to you is no mere schmaltzy love song.

Oh wow - I am now listening to a standard I have heard so many times before: "My one and only love". What is it about our 1990's that makes the singers and instrumentalists so alienated from each other? Could it be that we lack the commitment to harmonious unity displayed on this track? John and Johnny are inseparable. The five gentlemen on this record exhibit a true human bonding we can learn from. (Let's "¡PAY ATTENTION!" This session was recorded already 35 years ago 3-7-63). : -)

I am gently whisked through a journey through Johnny Hartman's introduction to "Lush Life". I am in a veritable canoe, smoothly traveling on a quiet lake. The chord changes are refreshing and full of variety-----

Uh ohh there's Elvin Jones -TURBULENCE- in the sweetest way ...we can appreciate Jimmy Garrison's rich bowing and McCoy's lush and soothing voicings all the more as we reach the song's conclusion.

This album is a classic beautiful example of collaboration. If Johnny Hartman is a fool for beauty on the next cut, I am a Klown for his sound. Lol I can't believe how the masters take the basic building blocks of the science of acoustics and the theory of music composition and and take my mind to such a happy lighthearted illogical place!

Was that Tranes brilliant lower register? No that's Johnny's big beautiful human voice. That's what I like- a truly HUMAN VOICE IN THE MUSIC.

I am faithful to these two artists not out of obligation (you think I get paid to do this?) but out of my dedication to what is ...... -just call it just intonation if you wish- or just justice! This album obeys My former bandleader's adage to me: "Leave ‘em hangin'" -Dizzy Gillespie- Diz was Johnny's bandleader as well- Autumn Serenade concludes the CD and I am left with no choice but to play this CD over and over----ok from the top! ...to give these geniuses less than 100%, would be: ~ JUST LUDICROUS~ : )

"¡JUST ADVANCE!"

(BTW groovagitizationists: If you'd like to Purchase "John Coletrane & Johnny Hartman", feel free to visit http://www.everycd.com)

PEACE! :-)