Search - John Coltrane :: Coltrane (Deluxe Edition)

Great Music, Typically Botched & Nonsensical Release

Peter Feng | Wilmington, DE United States | 08/04/2002

(3 out of 5 stars)

"Supposed Selling Points: Remix of original album, seven previously unheard takes (omitted from "Complete Studio Recordings" of 1998).Verdict: Coltrane has many obsessive followers who will have to have this. But if you're not a fanatic, pass on this and invest your money in picking up another Coltrane CD instead.This is the third time I've purchased this album on CD alone (never mind how many times I bought it on LP). Obviously the four rejected takes of "Tunji" are the main selling point, as well as the two rejected takes of "Impressions" (one was released on "The Very Best of"), and the unheard McCoy Tyner tune, "Not Yet." But is the remastering of the original album itself also worthwhile?Remaster: Good, but is it better? (1) Similar to the Rudy Van Gelder edition Blue Notes, the mix is less exaggerated across the stereo spectrum. It might be a cleaner mix with more presence -- or it may just be released at a louder volume than previously. I for one don't think the less-exaggerated mix is a bonus: sure, it made sense on LP (where the groove could be cut deeper and the bass consequently more resonant), but on CD there's no advantage. (2) According to the booklet, only "Miles' Mode" is transferred from original analog tapes; the first four tracks are transferred from equalized second-generation masters. Are you wondering, as I am, about the fade-in at the beginning of "Tunji"? Evidence suggests that a Jimmy Garrison bass solo has been lost...Bonus material: "Not Yet" is a mediocre tune inspired by (or ripping off) Bobby Timmons's "Moaning." The studio versions of "Impressions" are both interesting and listenable. The takes of "Miles' Mode" and "Tunji" are interesting but I don't think they will repay repeated listening.Here's the idiotic part: Supposedly "Big Nick" is included because it dates from the same sessions. HOWEVER, they have included the version recorded with Duke Ellington in September 1962, NOT the version from April. (Good grief -- they don't even have the same master number -- how in the world were they mixed up?) "Up 'Gainst the Wall," the version released on the LP "Impressions," has been included... apparently because it dates from the session for "Ballads," but since it doesn't fit the mood of that "deluxe" release, they've issued it here. Since this is another of the tracks remixed from the equalized masters, I'm not clear on why it was so important to release this here. The liner notes: do not include a discographical track listing, organized by date and session (you can reconstruct it yourself, of course). Carl Woideck's essay is generally good, but does not make any mention of the fade-in to "Tunji," nor does he discuss the disputed parentage of "Miles' Mode" (generally believed to have been written by Eric Dolphy).Why wasn't this material released before? Because Bob Thiele had them in his private collection -- apparently the Rutgers Institute of Jazz Studies had them at the time the "Complete Studio Recordings" were being assembled. Someone dropped the ball...In sum: I had to have this, but it's a botched release. A better idea: releasing all the previously unreleased tracks from this and "Ballads" as a 2-cd set. (I don't think I'll be purchasing that one -- seven retakes of "It's Easy to Remember" sounds mind-numbing, even if it is a beautiful tune.) Compromise idea: release both albums and bonus tracks together on 3 cd's."

This is sublime.

Douglas Groothuis | 06/15/2002

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This is subline. The vault is opened and new treasures revealed. Coltrane fans rejoice.This was the first "classic quartet" recording for Impulse and reveals an oceanic depth and luminous luster seldom experienced in jazz. The fidelity is superb for 1960, far better than the previous Atlantic recordings Trane made."Out of this world" is a haunting melody that serves as a perfect vehicle for Coltrane to reach down deep and pull out notes of ecstatic perfection. It is the highlight of the recording date, although the other takes are not far behind. We are gifted with several versions of "Miles Mode," "Impressions" (both of which swing madly) and five versions of "Tunji"--all different, all satisfying. One is constantly aware of the rapport between all the musicians, but especially between Trane and Elvin Jones, a more interesting and energetic drummer one cannot find.You cannot absorb enough of this group. It does not wear out; it is deep, deep.One odd thing about this collection, though: the take of "Big Nick" is from "Duke Ellington and John Coltrane." Strangely, this is never mentioned in the liner notes. McCoy Tyner is listed as the only pianist. The previous CD release of "Coltrane" contained a version of "Big Nick" with the classic quartet. That is oddly omitted here. This is sublime. There is objective beauty in the universe. What will we do with it?"

COLTRANE AT HIS BEST...AWESOME!!

David Thomas | Beaverton, OR USA | 05/06/2002

(5 out of 5 stars)

"It is amazing each time new material is unearthed..after the "complete" quartet boxed set that was issued in 1999, I figured there would be little else to come out of Impulse. Luckily, I was wrong; this album is fully remastered by the master, Rudy Van Gelder, and sounds fantastic. The second disc is a treasure chest of material, including alternate takes of "Tunji" and "Impressions"; one unreleased tune by McCoy Tyner leads off the disc and after hearing it, you will wonder why it was left off of the original LP. The packaging is nice, as the original coverwork is included. There is also a special treat: liner notes from the seldom heard from Rudy Van Gelder. If you love Coltrane, this is a must-have; if you love jazz, this is a must-have. Basically, if you like music, you must get this album."