Limited Edition of 500 copies, Reissue, 180 gram, includes 2 bonus tracks

The singer’s first major LP release, Songs from the Heart, was recorded in New York in October, 1955 and featured Hartman backed by trumpeter Howard McGhee, pianist Ralph Sharon, bassist Jay Cave and drummer Christy Febbo. The album, presented here, included a unique blend of classics from the jazz and pop idiom. The timber of Hartman’s exquisite baritone and perfect vocal control, delicate mellifluous phrasing, and timeless floating delivery can be heard to great effect from the first moments of “What Is There to Say”, to the closing notes of “Moonlight in Vermont”. Backed by the sensitive yet swinging Ralph Sharon trio, and the fine muted sounds of Howard McGhee’s trumpet, Hartman makes the most of his first important recording opportunity.

As is often the case with albums of rare brilliance, it is difficult to pick out any particular highlights. Cole Porter’s “Down in the Depths (of the 90th Floor)” certainly receives the most unusual treatment, with the rhythm section seamlessly switching between a Latin groove and a steady swing feel.

PERSONNEL

JOHNNY HARTMAN, vocals
HOWARD McGHEE, trumpet
RALPH SHARON, piano
JAY CAVE, bass
CHRISTY FABBO, drums

New York, October, 1955.

SIDE A:
01 WHAT IS THERE TO SAY?
02 AIN’T MISBEHAVIN’ 
03 I FALL IN LOVE TOO EASILY 
04 WE’LL BE TOGETHER AGAIN 
05 DOWN IN THE DEPTHS
06 THEY DIDN’T BELIEVE ME
07 DOWN IN THE DEPTHS *

SIDE B:
01 I’M GLAD THERE’S YOU 
02 WHEN YOUR LOVER HAS GONE 
03 I’LL REMEMBER APRIL 
04 I SEE YOUR FACE BEFORE ME 
05 SEPTEMBER SONG 
06 MOONLIGHT IN VERMONT
07 I’LL REMEMBER APRIL [alternate take] 3:26*