Coltrane At Temple University
jazzpixmkr | 08/03/2010
(4 out of 5 stars)
"An excellently recorded disc. The sound is much better than most of Coltrane's "unofficial" releases. The only problem I have with this cd is the lack of information that is given about this recording. Both the Naima and Leo selections are incomplete and the band's personnel is not completely listed or accurate. According to Fujioka 2008, John Coltrane Reference, edition 1, Rashied Ali couldn't make the concert, so his brother Muhammad Ali filled in for him, also Jimmy Garrison does not appear, he is replaced by Sonny Johnson on bass. Three, four, or five unknown percussionists are also playing on this date. Being a serious Trane collector I recommend this recording to all Coltrane devotees."
Putting Together Fragmented Puzzle Pieces
Mr. Richard D. Coreno | Berea, Ohio USA | 08/17/2010
(4 out of 5 stars)
"The release should have been a slam-dunk for jazz historians/collectors, but a number of grievous errors in chronicling the concert and a terrible edit on one track prevents it from finding elbow room at the top of the game.
Recorded for a live radio broadcast, the sound quality ranges from a top end very good - the "fading" of instruments was certainly caused by the way the stage was miked for transmission - to excellent. The listing of musicians is incorrect, with the second of two essays in the skimpy booklet lacking solid research that must be expected when such material is unearthed. There are a number of quality outlets that shed light on the personnel - though there appears to be no consensus - with the lineup probably being John Coltrane (tenor sax {and flute}), Pharoah Sanders (tenor sax), Alice Coltrane (piano), Steve Knobloch (alto sax), Sonny Johnson (bass), Rashied Ali (drums) and unnamed percussionists.
The percussionists drive the rhythm in the three numbers, but are located on a part of the stage where they often get lost in the mix. They are heard better during Alice Coltrane's piano solos on "Naima" and "Crescent," and - particularly - on Ali's drum solo during the powerful "Leo." There is an uncredited flutist on "Crescent" and "Leo," which must be "Trane."
John Coltrane quickly introduces the elements that build into the spiritual "Naima," with Alice Coltrane delivering a wonderful, thought-provoking piano solo. "Crescent" is a busy, intriguing track, as Knobloch follows Alice Coltrane's piano solo and sets the table for John Coltrane and Sanders to launch into another galaxy throughout "Leo." On that last selection, Sanders must have cracked the building's foundation with his solos, John Coltrane bursts into chest-thumping singing and the percussionists deliver special spices in the sonic tonic. A portion of Coltrane's tenor sax solo is cut out from the closing minutes and at a point where a professional fade out would have sufficed (and sounded much better).
There is no information on how the recording was prepared - and what was actually available - for release. Though the overall presentation amazingly falls short in the end, there is no chart to rate the performance; it is simply incredible.
"
Track Listings (3) - Disc #1