Search - John Coltrane :: Coltrane Jazz (Dlx)

Neglected Treasure (look for the best edition)

Samuel Chell | Kenosha,, WI United States | 04/16/2008

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Despite coming after the revolutionary "Giant Steps" (Coltrane's most important, musically influential album, in my estimation), this recording, also on Atlantic, features a more conservative, melodically-minded Coltrane than the previous outing (with a few harmonically adventurous exceptions such as "Fifth House" and "Harmonique"). There are three rhythm sections, with Wynton Kelly the pianist on 6 of the 12 tracks comprising my copy (a 2004 release in the Atlantic Masters series). McCoy Tyner and Cedar Walton occupy the piano chair on the other tracks, but the proceedings are especially grooving, the solos unfailingly melodic and inventive on the tracks with the always infectious, felicitous Kelly piano (Paul Chambers also deserves much of the credit). To anyone who knows the American Songbook, the performance of Harold Arlen-Johnny Mercer's "My Shining Hour" (taken up-tempo) is bound to be a highlight. And Coltrane leaves his soprano in its case, which is just fine by me. This is close to being essential Coltrane--similar to the vibe of "Blue Train" but better--if only because, with only one instead of three horns, Trane gets three times the playing time.



[Even a negative vote beats the apathy normally received by Coltrane and the music itself. Whatever one thinks of this reviewer's humble attempt to represent this music accurately, don't let that be an obstacle to experiencing this music first-hand.]"

Can't Decide On This One

Talking Wall | Queen Creek, AZ | 02/07/2008

(4 out of 5 stars)

"There's interesting stuff on this CD but it doesn't grab me that much. The best cuts are Village Blues (with his mainstay quartet), Fifth House, Harmonique (uses a lot of harmonics on this one, hence the name), and Like Sonny. I think the first track Little Old Lady was just a bad track to open this CD with, it's weirdly conservative for Coltrane, even when compared to his Prestige material. I can't give it 5 stars because it is not as intriguing as some of his other Atlantic stuff like Giant Steps, Ole, Favorite Things, or even Bags and Trane. It's worth owning but it won't blow you away either. Maybe after a few more listens it will get to me?"