Most Helpful Customer Reviews
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19 of 19 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Some of the most relaxed 32 minute of music youll ever hear, 31 Mar 2001
This recording is truly a blessing for those that listen to jazz for the moments of unique relaxation and bliss it can produce when played with beautiful tone and simplicity. Let me not be misunderstood I appreciate a lot the more abstract and intense efforts that can be found in more ground-breaking records than this and sometimes in live jazz concerts, but as history may have it this is the most relaxed, and "simple" session Coltrane has probably ever produced.And the timing he picked to record it is truly ideal, since at 1962 and with his continuous efforts to insert new influences, ideas, and techniques to the jazz scene some even said that Coltrane could only play avant-garde or anti-jazz as they called it and had lost it. And to record this fantastic record at a point that all these were heard and even Trane felt that his playing had begun to change more drastically, is like a blessing. Both fans of the new thing as well as more traditional jazz fans loved this and after listening to it for some time I can see why. My only two complaints as far as this recording is concerned are that it only lasts 32 minutes and that it consisted of a step backwards in Coltrane's evolution.On second thought it was just a break for the quartet to catch it's breath. Every track is a gem but especially "I wish I knew", and "All or Nothing at all" are outstanding with both Trane and McCoy Tyner giving a magical performance.This is such a great set (even with the flaws I mentioned) that my heart tells me to give it 5 stars and reason tells me to give it 4 stars, but we should not listen to music just with logic in mind so, 5 stars it is.
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5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Timeless Beauty, 16 Jan 2007
The reissue of Trane's album of ballads serves as a reminder that his playing consisted of two distinct styles during this period.(which lasted until the recording of 'A Love Supreme' in December of 1964) On one hand there was the driving, surging, insistent tone in which he explored the harmonic changes on uptempo numbers as featured on 'Live at the Village Vanguard.' The other side of his playing concentrated on sensitive, spiritual versions of standards, in which were in dramatic contrast to the full-on style. He tended to restrict the length of his solos and never over blew when playing ballads.
In contrast to Miles' dramatic, disections of ballads, Trane strove to achieve a spiritual, tonal, landscape, with a minimum of fuss. This album together with the collaboration on Johnny Hartman and a few songs on the album he made with Duke Ellington (notably 'In a Sentimenal Mood' serve as some of the most romsntic interpretations of these songs. Once heard you will never forget the incredible mood he generated in tandem with McCoy Tyner, whose understated accompaniment completes the evocative mood.
Trane had a distinctive ballad style, in contrast to the muscular sound of contemporaries such as Sonny Rollins and idiosyncratic stylings of Wayne Shorter and the full vibrato sound of older musicians revered for their ballad style such as Coleman Hawkins. If anything, his understated playing evokes the great Lester Young.
This album is a little on the short side, but it stands multi listenings and is a better bet than the double CD release of these recordings which featured one new tune and about six versions of 'It's Easy to Remember'. More than is needed.
There's probably no better introduction to this side of Coltrane's beautiful, ballad playing than this album. Buy it and savor it and play it again and again.
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4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Majestic Coltrane, 17 Aug 2007
This is a great starter album for anybody who wants to dip into the vast collection of albums that John Coltrane made. At the time of these recordings in 1961/1962 Coltrane was producing hard-edged modern Jazz, that for the newcomer can be hard to get into straight away. These tracks are an opportunity to hear the classic Coltrane quartet of McCoy Tyner (Piano), Jimmy Garrison (Bass) and Elvin Jones (Drums) produce a recording of ballads which are all lyrical and beautiful.
From the opening notes of track 1 'Say It (Over and over again)' Coltranes tone is controlled and the theme is stated simply. This sets the pattern for all the tunes on this album. To appreciate just what Coltrane does on this record you do really need to have heard some of his other recordings. Compare this with say 'Giant Steps' or 'Live at the Village Vanguard' and you'll get a better idea of the subtlety and beauty of his and the groups playing on this album.
The leaders change of style is reflected in the rest of the rest of the band. McCoy Tyner takes the first solo on the album and you could be listening to a Pianist from decades earlier, rather than one who was at the cutting edge of modern Jazz Piano playing in the early 60's. Only on the exceptional recording with with Johnny Hartmann about a year later would Coltrane ever play in this style again. In fact aside from that 1963 album his music became more and more avant-garde until his death in 1967.
So don't neglect the other classic Coltrane albums (of which there are many), but this really is an essential purchase for the Jazz fan or the newcomer to Coltrane.
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