Search - John Coltrane :: Interplay

The Budding of a Genius

Thomas D. Ryan | New York | 12/23/2007

(4 out of 5 stars)

"If you aren't already a completely geeked-out jazzophile, then you might have some difficulty understanding just how cool this box set is. Any jazz fan can obtain a copy of Coltrane's "My Favorite Things," "Giant Steps," "Blue Trane" and "A Love Supreme." These are must-own disks for even casual fans of good jazz, as they represent high water marks in the relentlessly searching and creative contours of John Coltrane's career. Nevertheless, they can only tell part of the story. Years before John Coltrane had developed the momentum to pursue his solo career, he worked as a session musician, adding a dose of intensity and brilliance to numerous recording sessions. Since these albums were credited to a variety of artists - some of them dedicated exclusively to the session musicians gathered for that particular recording - many of them languished in obscurity. With titles such as "Interplay for 2 Trumpets and 2 Tenors," "Tenor Conclave" and "Baritones and French Horns," it is no wonder that they vanished from the limelight, but the music tells a story remarkably more complex and fascinating than the unimaginative titles suggest (Amazingly, the latter disk had a playing speed of 16 RPM, making it unplayable on many record players, and unlistenable on others, due to the poor quality of the slow playing speed).

If you owned an original copy of these releases today, they'd be valuable collector's items, but from an artistic perspective, the contents prove to be even more valuable. Hearing John Coltrane and Webster Young exchange contrasting solos is an immensely rewarding experience (and previously almost impossible). Add in team players like Kenny Burrell, Art Taylor and Paul Chambers, and it seems impossible that this session could have lapsed into obscurity.

Other revelations abound. Art Taylor is one of the most respected drummers in jazz, but his name never achieved the household recognition of his peers, including many of the sidemen who supported him on recording sessions. John Coltrane's presence enlivened one track from this release, and it appears here. In fact, virtually every session of Coltrane's for Prestige Records from September 1956 thru March 1958 appears here, and the variety is stunning as well as glorious. Original vinyl albums such as "Wheelin' and Dealin'," "The Cats" and "The Dealers" featured all-stars from the label playing together with a combination of relaxed intimacy and competitive intensity. Jackie McLean, Paul Quinichette, Mal Waldron, Tommy Flanagan, Pepper Adams, Frank Wess, Doug Watkins and Donald Byrd all appear in various configurations.

The historical relevance of these recordings to any fan of John Coltrane is immense, as you can literally hear him grow in confidence and stature. If you were to search out each of these albums on an individual basis, it would cost hundreds, if not thousands, of dollars. Compiled on five disks, they tell a story that goes far beyond mere words. They convey the character and artistry of a budding genius, painting the most accurate portrait yet of Coltrane's transition from session musician to jazz legend. A Tom Ryan"

Great Music in a Questionable Package

Bernhard Rohrbacher | New York, NY | 10/02/2007

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Arguably, any collection of Coltrane recordings from the mid-fifties through the mid-sixties, even as a sideman, merits the highest rating available. So why only four stars? Blame it on Prestige. That record company's sins at the time these sides were recorded are well-known: No rehearsal time for musicians that did not regularly play with each other, no re-takes (hence the sometimes embarrassing mistakes on these records), out-of-tune pianos (although not here), and wafer-thin vinyl pressings, all in the name of fast profits. In reissuing this music now, Prestige could have done penance for these sins, but they missed that opportunity in a number of ways. First, Prestige omitted one track each from "The Cats" and "Chattin' With Coltrane And Quinichette" on which Coltrane lays out. As these tracks are integral parts of these session, they are essential to a full understanding of the music. And as the last of the five discs is relatively short, they could have been included there had Prestige seen fit to do so. The result being that I have to hold on to my old disks that do contain the extra material. Second, the only alternate tracks Prestige decided to include are two they released, for whatever -- undoubtedly arbitrary (read: monetary) -- reasons in the sixties. Given the importance of Coltrane to jazz and music in general, we are entitled to hear every note he ever played -- just as we are entitled, and have been given the opportunity, to hear pretty much every note ever played by Charlie Parker, the only other saxophone player who can rival Coltrane in importance, although in a different register. Third, why is a photo of Jackie McLean, who does not play on any of these tracks, included among the photos of the musicians who do? While this is, of course, a minor quibble, it is indicative of the carelessness that permeates this re-release. And finally: Disc three is the first of the hundreds and hundreds of CDs I have bought over the last twenty years which started skipping right out of the box. Which, for Prestige, is par for the course, in light of shoddy vinyls that bore scratches right out of the sleeve . . . . I will go the store and exchange my set for a new one, but I am tempted to just return it. May Coltrane one day receive the respect he deserves."

If you already have the complete Prestige

Mario Moreno | Spring, TX USA | 12/06/2007

(3 out of 5 stars)

"Why do they keep repackaging this stuff over and over? If you already have the Complete Prestige 16cd box set you already have each and every cut on here. Great if you don't have it, but if you do no need in buying this one."