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| BUDDY COLLETTE |
Original Jazz Classics 239 |
Man Of Many Parts |
● CD $12.98 |
Parts was recorded in 1956, and originally released
as Contemporary 3522. The title refers to the fact that the pioneering
cool jazz flutist plays alto and tenor sax, clarinet and flute, depending
on the cut. Working within a small combo of Ernie Freeman (pno), Gerald
Wilson (tpt), Max Albright (dm), Red Callender (bs), Barney Kessel (gtr)
and others, Buddy shines on the mostly self-composed numbers. This reissue
includes the original liner notes and comments on each song by Buddy. A
winner. (JC)
|
| BUDDY COLLETTE |
Original Jazz Classics 747 |
Nice Day With Buddy Collette |
● CD $12.98 |
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| BUDDY COLLETTE |
Original Jazz Classics 1764 |
Jazz Loves Paris |
● CD $16.98 |
|
| JOHN COLTRANE |
Atlantic 1373 |
Ole' |
● CD $12.98 |
Reissue of 1961 recording, with Coltrane's working quartet
augmented by Eric Dolphy, Freddie Hubbard and Art Davis. This same core
group, with its unusual double-bass configuration, recorded the brilliant
Africa Brass sessions for Impulse that same year; and a similar feeling of
soulful earthiness is maintained here. In contrast to that work, the
playing here is generally "in the tradition", with more or less
conventional solos sticking close to the changes, rather than the more
expansive modal improvising that 'Trane was developing at the time. Nice
flute work by Dolphy, matched by fine soprano sax from Coltrane on two of
the four cuts. To Her Ladyship is a spellbinding CD-only cut,
previously released on Atlantic's
The Coltrane Legacy. (MB)
|
| JOHN COLTRANE |
Blue Note 84461-2 |
Coltrane Time |
● CD $12.98 |
Blue Note reissue of a jazz summit meeting with a twisted
history. Recorded in 1958 as a Cecil Taylor date, these four extended
structures were originally on United Artists as an LP titled Stereo
Drive. On that album was a famous tenor saxophonist called "Blue
Train", then under contract to another label. This has been reissued
in various forms since coming out in 1962 as a Coltrane date, presumably
for commercial rather than musical reasons. The two originals Shifting
Down/ Double Clutching are important documents of black jazz in
transition, with 'Trane and trumpeter Kenny Dorham spurred on by Cecil
Taylor's jagged Monkisms. Also includes the standards Just Friends/
Like Someone In Love. (MB)
|
| JOHN COLTRANE |
Blue Note 99175-2 |
The Art Of John Coltrane |
● CD $12.98 |
Looks like Blue Note has a new reissue series going with
their "Art Of..." packaging. Producer Michael Cuscuna, who has
singlehandedly revitalized the whole Blue Note label, has done another
great job here, compiling 8 meaty performances from the late 50's. The
lack of original release info is frustrating, but I'm pretty sure the
bubbly Moment's Notice was on Coltrane's 1957 Blue Train LP
(his only date as a leader) along with the Miles-ish title cut. His
Parker-inspired Just For The Love is jagged and futuristic, yet he
takes a very low key approach to Bird's own Dexterity, sharing solo
space with the amazing bassist Paul Chambers. The same session (Jazz
Delegation From The East?) yielded Trane's Blues, where we can
hear his long tenor lines growing amidst the bluesy swagger of pianist
Kenny Drew. And that's leader Cecil Taylor skittering over the keys on the
edgy Shifting Down that ends this satisfying silver slice. 8 cuts
in all. (MB)
|
| JOHN COLTRANE |
Impulse GRD 102 |
Live In Japan |
● CD $47.98 |
Sure, I'm up to listen to four hours of frenzied jazz
blowing, but are you? A year before his death, Coltrane toured Japan with
a mostly new group - Pharoah Sanders, his wife Alice Coltrane, Jimmy
Garrison and Rashied Ali. Only two of these extended pieces were ever
issued here (Peace On Earth/ Leo, broken up over four sides of a
2-LP Impulse set). A couple of numbers approach hour-length status
(Crescent/ My Favorite Things), and we also get the rare chance to hear
Trane and Sanders on alto saxes. Taken as a whole, these six live cuts are
a lengthy memorial to Coltrane's unceasing creativity and lifetime of
achievements. (MB)
|
| JOHN COLTRANE |
Impulse GRD 118 |
First Meditations |
● CD $11.98 |
6 tracks, 52 min., recommended. First Meditations
(1965) documents Coltrane's final creative transition. This 5-part suite
(released as Impulse 9332), is one of the last works by the Tyner/
Garrison/ Jones quartet - three months later a version was recorded with
Pharoah Sanders and Rashied Ali, and shortly after that Tyner and Jones
left. The overall feeling is less volatile than other works of the period,
starting and ending with long lyrical solos. An alternate later take of Joy
ends the disc with lots of uninhibited swing and an epic bass solo. (MB)
|
| JOHN COLTRANE |
Impulse GRD 119 |
A John Coltrane Retrospective - The Impulse
Years |
● CD $39.98 |
Are there any newcomers to Coltrane's 60's recordings out
there? For them, or anyone in need of a moderately-sized sampling of the
tenor masters' most progressive years, this is a great package. 24
chronological selections span 3 CD's, giving a clear picture of 'Trane's
innovations during his last six years. The first CD supplies 5 cuts from
1961, when he was exploring various small and big band formats, and
recording the classic Greensleeves/ Naima/ Impressions. Disc 2
documents the next two years of the famous quartet with McCoy Tyner (pno),
Jimmy Garrison (bs) and Elvin Jones (dms), plus Coltrane's pairings with
Duke Ellington on Sentimental Mood/ Take The Coltrane and My One
And Only Love with singer Johnny Hartman. The quartet format is
examined further on the third disc, with the lengthy Crescent/ A Love
Supreme/ Living Space representing the era of exploratory solo
structures. The final, most avant-garde period (1966-67) is conveyed by a
single cut (Offering), which may be enough for first-timers, but
leaves Pharoah Sanders out of the picture entirely. All in all, a tidy
summation of the vital Impulse years, with comprehensive notes and vintage
Chuck Stewart photos. (MB)
|
| JOHN COLTRANE |
Impulse GRD 146 |
Live In Seattle |
● CD $25.98 |
Two CD set.
|
| JOHN COLTRANE |
Impulse 155 |
A Love Supreme |
● CD $17.98 |
Arguably the greatest & most influential jazz LP of the
60s, felt heavily in the world of rock as well as jazz. Recorded Dec.9 '64
with the classic Quartet of 'Trane, Tyner, Garrison & Jones. a long
extended suite in 4 parts - Part 1-Acknowledgement/ Part 2- Resolution/
Part 3-Pursuance/ Part 4-Psalm (GM)
|
| JOHN COLTRANE |
Impulse IMPD 169 |
Stellar Regions |
● CD $17.98 |
11 tracks, 61 min., essential While unreleased Coltrane from
any period isn't exactly something to shake a stick at, the contents
here--a complete session from February 15, 1967--is especially
momentous.If you're thinking the unrestrained chaos that typified a lot of
his '65-'66 work, think again: These recordings find Coltrane not only
returning to the quartet format (with Rashied Ali, Alice Coltrane, and
Jimmy Garrison--Pharoah Sanders is notably absent), but also returning to
tighter, more focused compositions. Still fascinated by energy and sound
but no longer surrendering entirely to them, Coltrane here experiments
with his free discoveries (insistent, twisted sax runs, cascading
piano sheets, Ali's multi-directional drumming) in a more structured
context, and what emerges is some of his deepest (and best) work, poised
between freedom and restraint, with a gripping, nearly spiritual energy
level. Stellar Regions is remarkable not only because it suggests the
beginnings of an unrealized phase in Coltrane's career, but because it
suggests a post-free future for jazz that is neither fusion nor
pure-sound. Awesome. (Only one of these cuts has been previously released:
Offering, on the Expression album). (GDR)
|
| JOHN COLTRANE |
Original Jazz Classics 020 |
Coltrane |
● CD $12.98 |
Coltrane's debut as a leader is an impressive one, thanks in
part to the encouragement provided by Red Garland and Mal Waldron on
piano, Paul Chambers on bass and drummer Albert Heath. The six tunes on
this date are a nice mixture of straight-ahead blowing and advanced, even
exotic horn arrangements with trumpeter Johnnie Splawn and Sahib Shihab on
baritone sax. The first cut, Bakai, is an outstanding example of
small group orchestration which foreshadows Coltrane's fascination with
African and Islamic tonalities. His playing is a marvel of confidence and
maturity on every track, and even though the recording quality is a little
uneven, listening is a pleasure from beginning to end. (MB)
|
| JOHN COLTRANE |
Original Jazz Classics 021 |
Soultrane |
● CD $12.98 |
Top-notch Coltrane from the well documented post-Miles/
pre-Impulse segment of his career. Recorded in 1958 with Red Garland, Paul
Chambers and Arthur Taylor egging him on, John plays at his creative peak
on every cut. On the ballads I Want To Talk About You, Theme For Ernie
his restless spirit is tempered with lyrical sensitivity of the highest
order, reminding us that he was indeed a master of this particular form.
The remaining three tunes are solidly uptempo, Good Bait and You
Say You Care being full of vibrant expression, sometimes Parker-esque
and often tending toward a tough R&B styled swing. Russian Lullaby
, the last selection, takes off at breakneck speed after Garland's
romantic piano intro, and it's a stunning closer with Coltrane's tenor
spitting fiery sheets of sound. Clear and well-detailed sound; a bit short
at 40 minutes but after the first count you'll forget all about the clock.
[MB)
|
| JOHN COLTRANE |
Original Jazz Classics 078 |
Settin' The Pace |
● CD $12.98 |
Reissue of Prestige 7213 from 1961, containing a previously
unissued session from March 26, 1958 with Trane & The Red Garland Trio
- Red(p), Paul Chambers(b) & Art Taylor(d). 4 long beaufiful pieces - I
See Your Face Before Me/ If There Is Someone Lovelier Than You/ Little
Melonae/ Rise & Shine. (GM)
|
| JOHN COLTRANE |
Original Jazz Classics 131 |
Lush Life |
● CD $12.98 |
Reissue of Prestige 7188 from 1958. Odds & ends from 3
sessions make up one of Coltranes most beautiful lps, made up of blues and
standards. The title tune comes from a Jan. 10, 1958 session with Donald
Byrd(t) & The Red Garland Trio (Garland(p), Chambers(b) & Louis
Hayes(d)) that was later released on the Believer and Last Trane lps. I
Hear A Rhapsody is from the "Coltrane" session of May 31,
1957 with Trane again fronting the Garland Trio, this time with Albert
Heath on drums. The most remarkable is the Aug. 16, 1957 session that
takes up side 2 - Trane in a rare pianoless setting, with only Earl May
(b) & Art Taylor(d) doing Trane's Slo Blues , I Love You
& Like Some One In Love .
|
| JOHN COLTRANE |
Original Jazz Classics 189 |
Traneing In With The Red Garland Trio |
● CD $12.98 |
Reissue of Coltrane's 2nd lp, originally Prestige 7123 from
1957. Coltrane is joined by Garland(p), Paul Chambers(b) & Art
Taylor(d) on 5 tunes recorded on August 23, 1957 - 2 blues - Bass Blues
& Traneing In , 2 ballads - Slow Dance & You
Leave Me Breathless, and a wild one with the deceptive title Soft
Lights and Sweet Music.
|
| JOHN COLTRANE |
Original Jazz Classics 246 |
Standard Coltrane |
● CD $12.98 |
Reissue of Prestige 7243 from 1962 containing 4 beautiful
unissued standards from the famed July 11, 1958 "Stardust
Session", with Wilbur Hardin(t), Trane(ts), Red Garland(p), Paul
Chambers(b) & Jimmy Cobb(d) - Spring Is Here/ I'll Get By/
Invitation/ Don't Take Your Love From Me . (GM)
|
| JOHN COLTRANE |
Original Jazz Classics 352 |
Black Pearls |
● CD $12.98 |
Reissue of Prestige 7316, recorded in May, 1958. Coltrane is
aided by Donald Byrd(t), Red Garland(p), Paul Chambers(b) and Art Taylor(d)
on 3 long numbers. They play modern but not yet avant guard jazz as Byrd
races with the 'Trane on the title tune and especially on a full steam
ahead version of Lover Come Back To Me , showering notes like so
much confetti. Red Garland more than holds his own as well. He stands toe
to toe with the big guys on Sweet Saphire Blues , setting a lenghty
and fierce pace of invention at the beginning of the tune. (AE)
|
| JOHN COLTRANE |
Original Jazz Classics 393 |
Dakar |
● CD $12.98 |
Reissue of Prestige 7280 from 1957 with Pepper Adams, Mal
Waldron and others on six pieces.
|
| JOHN COLTRANE |
Original Jazz Classics 394 |
The Last Trane |
● CD $12.98 |
Re-release of Prestige 7378, from three sessions in 1957
& 58 with Donald Byrd on trumpet and Red Garland at the piano.
|
| JOHN COLTRANE |
Original Jazz Classics 415 |
Bahia |
● CD $12.98 |
The standard Party line is that Coltrane didn't really hit
his stride until after he formed his famous Elvin Jones/ McCoy Tyner/
Jimmy Garrison quartet in 1961. While that group was great, these 5 tunes
from 2 sessions in 1958 illustrate his genius already in full bloom,
providing ample evidence that there were sides to Coltrane that other
sidemen brought out in him, sides he perhaps deliberately left behind. All
feature bassist Paul Chambers and pianist Red Garland. Three include
trumpeter/ fluegelhornist Wilbur Hardin (who also recorded great sides
with Coltrane for Savoy), and Freddie Hubbard makes an (uncredited)
appearance. All previously released on the Prestige twofers The
Stardust Session and Bahia. (RS)
|
| JOHN COLTRANE |
Original Jazz Classics 681 |
Bye Bye Blackbird |
● CD $12.98 |
|
| JOHN COLTRANE |
Original Jazz Classics 781 |
Paris Concert |
● CD $12.98 |
|
| JOHN COLTRANE |
Original Jazz Classics 6015 |
Jazz Showcase |
● CD $15.98 |
8 tracks, recommended It's not easy putting together a
single CD to highlight the 125 sides Trane cut for Prestige in just 2 1/2
years, but these 8 tracks, from 11/56 to 7/58 are a good stab at it, with
Trane ending with the 1st great Miles Davis Quintet (rhythm section mates
Red Garland, Paul Chambers & Phillie Joe Jones are heard on a number
of cuts), his tenure with Thelonious Monk ( heard here with the Monk
Quartet on the classic Ruby My Dear), & the beginning of the
classic Miles Davis Sextet. Half the set is Trane with piano trio,
including Soultrane, written by the participating pianist Tadd
Dameron, who also wrote the classic Good Bait. Trane's joined on the front
line with Donald Byrd (Lush Life), Paul Quinichette (Cattin'),
Wilbur Hardin on flugelhorn (Stardust), & on Straight Street,
trumpeter Johnny Splawn & baritone saxist Sahib Shihab. (GM)
|
| JOHN COLTRANE |
Prestige 24056 |
The Stardust Sessions |
● CD $17.98 |
2-LP set on one CD.
|
| JOHN COLTRANE |
Rhino 71255 |
The Last Giant: The John Coltrane Anthology |
● CD $29.98 |
2 CD's, 19 tracks, 2 hrs. 8 min., recommended. This is an
adoring retrospective set which supplements Coltrane's few Atlantic
recordings with unheard material, mostly from his formative years. The
booklet is thick with praise, mythology, rare photos, and deeply
researched biography. Ironically, the first few recorded rarities are not
always so complimentary, though the live numbers with Coltrane as sideman
to Dizzy and Johnny Hodges will be seized on with delight, as will the
Bostic-influenced single led by Gay Crosse. The priceless private
recordings from 1946 which start the set are interesting, one time
through. Ageless 50's and early 60's sessions as a leader, or with Miles
and Monk, finish up the first disc. My Favorite Things is the
classic that introduces the other Atlantic label cuts of the second half.
From these emerge a picture of "The Last Giant" (but what about
Miles?) as a true superstar of the tenor. A major gap is evident without
any of the classic Impulse quartet recordings, but McCoy Tyner and Elvin
Jones are on hand for a few from the Coltrane's Sound LP. Equinox
has a mysterious, open-ended quality that marked the best extended solo
flights of the mid-60's. It seems strange that nothing from the Ole
album is included, and that the program moves backwards to the Giant
Steps session of 1959, though it is a technical peak of hard bop
mastery. A live 25-minute Favorite Things is not hi-fi recording
(and isn't previously unreleased, as claimed), but does substitute for the
long voyages of the Impulse era. Collectors will have to own this, if only
for the rare tracks and the impressive booklet. Others would do well to
track down the individual Atlantic albums, all of which would be deserving
of a comprehensive boxed set. (MB)
|
| JOHN COLTRANE/ FRANK
WESS |
Original Jazz Classics OJCCD 672 |
Wheelin' & Dealin' |
● CD $12.98 |
"For those who like their saxophone soup served piping
hot, here are three pretty hot pipers, with Frank Wess' flute no
vichyssoise either". With an liner note intro like that, what more
can I add? Despite sharp stylistic differences, Wess, John Coltrane and
Paul Quinichette do work very well together on this 1957 Prestige date,
often recalling the triumphs of the Very Saxy session.
Quinichette's tenor is particularly distinctive, with his scooping Prez-like
tone, and Mal Waldron's piano and compositions (Wheelin'/ Dealin')
are an added bonus. 4 long pieces, plus two alternates. (MB)
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