Search - John Coltrane :: Newport 63

Underrated!

Patrik Lemberg | Tammisaari Finland | 09/29/2003

(5 out of 5 stars)

"The album starts with Eckstine's ballad "I Want To Talk About You," where Coltrane plays tenor and ends with soloing alone for a couple of minutes before the band hits the last chord on cue - a common ending of several tunes, like on his version of "Dear Old Stockholm" for example - and it works every time! Great communication within the band, not to speak of the following track which without doubt is the highlight of the album; this is the best version I've ever heard (and perhaps will have ever heard) of "My Favorite Things." It should have gotten and should get as much attention as the work on Blue Train & Giant Steps, regardless of the tune not being Coltrane's own. Extraordinary musicianship. Coltane playes soprano sax throughout. McCoy Tyner's piano really comes through on this track. The whole band (that incidentally consists of Tyner, Jimmy Garrison and Roy Haynes on tracks 1 through 3) do a great job! I've listened to the song at least 50 times, and every time I listen I'm amazed at how a band can play a song like this for nearly 18 minutes and keep it interesting every second from beginning to end. I can without doubt say that it's better than the studio version from 1960. Followed by this masterwork is "Impressions," the last track on the album recorded at Newport '63. Perhaps a bolder version than the original recording; The band accompanies Coltrane until his solo "takes off." From there on he plays with only Haynes for 10 minutes.

The album rounds off with a blues; "Chasin' Another Trane" - recorded live at the Village Vanguard in 1961 with a different line-up; Reggie Workman on bass, Elvin Jones on drums (credited as Roy Haynes on the CD,) and ERIC DOLPHY on alto sax, but all he playes on the track is a 3 minute solo. Maybe not the best work he has done, but it is Dolphy alright! Only the sound of his alto is the perfect intermission from Coltrane's solos. The quality of the recording is not as good as on the Newport tracks, but still very acceptable considering it's 40+ years old.

Deeply recommended for anyone who likes any other Coltrane album!"

One of his best

Matthew Miller | New York, New York | 05/12/2006

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I love this period in Coltrane's playing more than any other, i think, and this performance displays his classic quartet at its best. Coltrane, begining to expand upon his already beautiful modal improvisation with freer style and greater use of tremolo effects, is forceful as always. McCoy Tyner, displaying his amazing improvisational abilities, helps the music along by adding his forceful yet elegant style in ways that help the other players. Jimmy Garrison displays, as he always does, that he was one of the greatest bassists. Perhaps only Roy Hanes (Elvin Jones was not availablt to play this concert) is lacking in any way, but even he shows his energetic and skillful playing. This performance is, in my eyes, wholly underrated."

Unbelieveable

H. Lim | Carlingford, NSW Australia | 04/10/2005

(5 out of 5 stars)

"


The story goes that Stan Getz was scheduled to go onstage after Coltrane at the Newport Jazz Festival in 1963. During Coltrane's performance, Getz turned to a man sitting next to him, his face pale. "How am I supposed to follow THAT?" he asked.



That is the performance which is released here. It was never released on LP; it is a compilation that dates back to 1993.



I Want to Talk About You: A fine performance of one of Coltrane's most frequently played ballads. Compare this to the "Live in Birdland" version.



My Favorite Things: This is Coltrane's best performance of "My Favorite Things", and I think it's one of his best performances of any tune ever! This performance has its own wild energy, yet every note seems to be perfectly in place.



Impressions: I prefer this version of "Impressions" over any other version; it's fast and furious, with Coltrane still apparently inspired by his performance of My Favorite Things. Truly breathtaking.



Chasin' Another Trane: This tune, which is actually "Blues to You" from the "Coltrane Plays the Blues" album, is a hyper-extended blues blowing competition. Coltrane and Dolphy play like maniacs. The track is very exciting, but it's over-long, and is rather shapeless."