In 1978,
Johnny Hartman was featured twice on Alec Wilder's legendary radio series. This 1998 CD has all of the music from those dates (released commercially for the first time) with
Hartman being tastefully accompanied by pianist Loonis McGlohon, bassist Terry Lassiter and drummer James Lackey. Fifty-five at the time,
Hartman was still in prime form, as he shows throughout the lengthy set of ballads. All of the songs are standards, although a couple (such as "The Morning After" and the Ellington/Strayhorn number, "You Better Know It") are lesser-known. The title cut is actually a vocalized version of Strayhorn's "Lotus Blossom." Other highlights include "I'm Glad There Is You," "Easy to Love," two versions of "Warm Valley" and a remake of "Lush Life." ~ Scott Yanow