"[2] Andrew Sussman, critic at Fanfare, called the album "the most satisfying I have heard from him since his landmark LP with John Coltrane.

If Mel Torme is the 'Velvet Fog,' then Johnny Hartman was surely pure silk, singing most often through the rain of human tears."

Sussman also complimented the musicians, saying "there are no overwhelming jazz soloists here; just a superbly tasteful and sensitive group led by pianist Tony Monte."

He praised Hartman's "luxurious baritone voice" on several songs and concludes by saying, "There is even a haunting fresh rendition of 'Send In the Clowns' with a truly singular piano accompaniment by Monte."

They also hailed Monte's "sensitive piano accompaniment," Lorne Lofsky's guitar playing, and the "perceptive [liner] notes by Nick Catalano."