I'm 76, Andy. I saw Coltrane live five or maybe six times, including with Archie Shepp in Chicago. I bought each Trane album as it came out. I was also devoted to Ornette and wound up serving as his baby sitter (for obnoxious nephew from O's sister, ABBie.) I'm a drummer/keyboardist. You're speaking my language, my friend.
Always great to see a presentation about 'Trane! 1- A Love Supreme 2- Kulu se Mama 3-The complete Village Vanguard Box(1961) 4- Ole' 5-Africa/Brass 6-Coltrane Plays the Blues 7- Concert in Japan!! Heavy! 8- Ascention 9- Meditations 10- Live in Antibes
I fell in love with John Coltrane's Tenor with Kind of Blue by Miles Davis. I've been a Coltrane devotee since the late '80s, and my passion for his music has grown yearly. Thank you for a passion-filled episode!
The 'Village Vanguard' box is an absolute killer. Love it, and can't recommend it enough. It's always a bit cliché to say that a great artist died too young, but it's hardly a stretch to believe that Coltrane was only beginning the next chapter when he departed, and had sooooo much more to say.
Same here.... It is always considered a bridge in his career, but it has its own unique qualities regardless of the previous and subsequent recordings.
Hi Andy-Great Video. Since it's relevant to this discussion I'm going to re-post (cut and paste with a few edits) a story from my youth that I've left in a few RUclips comments sections before, including (I think) one of yours a few years ago: "The most epic listening session, however, was in college, around 1975 or 76. I like many musical genres, but by that time the music I listened to most frequently was jazz and of course the great saxophonist John Coltrane was a musical hero to me and several friends. We concocted a plan to listen to all the John Coltrane albums we could get together, in chronological order, in one marathon session, which we called "The Coltrane Lock-In". I think there were four of us that were the main participants. Between all of us, and borrowing a few more albums from some other friends, we put together about 30 Coltrane albums, or maybe a few more. The entire lock-in lasted just a little under 24 hours. The core group of us were there for the entire time, but I lived in a communal house and several other friends and housemates would come in and listen for an hour or two, then pop in the room the following morning and say: "Are you guys really still at it?"...LOL. We heard the incredible evolution of Coltrane as an artist through his roughly 10 year career as a solo artist, starting with his late fifties hard bop period on Prestige and Blue Note records ("Blue Trane", "Black Pearls", "Bahia" etc.). Then onto his stuff on Atlantic records with the ground breaking "Giant Steps" as well as "Coltrane Plays the Blues", "My Favorite Things", "Coltrane Jazz", "Ole" etc., and then into his increasingly spiritual and unbelievably powerful records from the early and mid sixties on the Impulse label like "Africa Brass", "Crescent", "Impressions", "Live at Birdland", "Coltrane", "Live at the Village Vanguard", "Ballads", "Selflessness", the majestic masterpiece "A Love Supreme" etc., etc. The final six or seven records were the very wild, so-called free jazz stuff from the last couple years of his life (1966 and 67) like "Ascension", "Meditations", "Live in Seattle" etc., ending with the somewhat somber but beautiful "Expressions". About half way through the Lock-In one or more of the core participants may, or may not, have ingested some very strong mind-altering substance that may, or may not, have aided in our understanding the avant garde music of Coltrane's late period. Anyway, it was time very well spent...LOL."
It's interesting to me that as he explored the outer limits of harmony, Coltrane went back and immersed himself in the tradition. In 1963 he released two albums of a more traditional bent, both of which were gorgeous: Duke Ellington and John Coltrane, in which the two leaders are accompanied by drums and bass, and then the John Coltrane and Johnny Hartmann album, which features the classic Coltrane Quartet. For me, these records establish definitive versions of very well known songs (In a Sentimental Mood, Lush Life) and Coltrane's mastery of the tradition is clearly deepened by his work outside it. Something to chew on as we ponder what might have been. Great job, as always, Andy.
Your early biography of Coltrane omitted perhaps the most momentous incident in his musical journey. In November, 1948 he joined Cleanhead Vinson's band. Up until then, he had been playing alto saxophone. The vacancy in Vinson's band was for a tenor. He might not have swapped to tenor if he didn't take that gig. Denis Sandole and Earl Bostic also deserve a mention. Coltrane learned a lot during his formative time with them.
I was introduced to Coltrane by a young man who was obsessed with Tranes music. He was so critical of a PBS series on Coltranes life that they hired him to carry it on and gave him a late night jazz show slot on the station.When I said to him that I was having a hard time getting into and or understanding his music. He then laid out a list of Tranes music and how to procede through the list to gain understanding of what he was doing muscically. I have always been quite grateful for his time and effort spent on my behalf. Good stuff and love your site.
Great overview of the high points in the Coltrane canon! I have a good number of those classics, but not yet the Free Jazz ones. I have been listening to his Live in Seattle (1965) on which Pharoah Sanders also plays. A very challenging and difficult one to take in on one listen. In various reviews it has been described as "violent". Not sure if I am inclined to explore the Free Jazz pathway much further if it all sounds like this...unless Ascension, Meditations, or Live in Paris are a touch more accessible than "Seattle".
I’ve been listening to jazz for probably 6 months. All the classic artists. Coltrane connects with me most. It has been a pleasure discovering this music. Thanks for the video. Very informative and entertaining ❤
Hey Andy, what a superb presentation of some of your favourite Trane albums. Coltrane changed my life and led me to a life dedicated to playing the saxophone that still thankfully continues! Thank you.🙏
Hi Andy - thank you for this fine video. I'm glad you put "Interstellar space" on your list. It's maybe my favorite free jazz album by Coltrane. It's hard to put a top 10 list, but I'll try (no particular order): - Coltrane (it was the first record by Coltrane I got) - Soultrane - Blue Train - Village Vanguard - Crescent - Love Supreme - JC Quartet Plays - Live At Birdland - Interstellar Space - JC and Johnny Hartman I left some great records out, I love a lot, but to these 10 I come back regularly.
I was so lucky to nab Blue Train in my first purchase of jazz albums (along with Hank Mobley, Soul Station, & Art Blakey, Moanin’). It opened a whole new world to me.
Really enjoyed the part where you tell the tale of spending the art award money on the double album. More stories about when, why, where (and "how") you obtained the vinyl in the first place would be fun ... or indeed if it was a significant swap (maybe a record swap with a lad at school? --- for more recent audiences it might be worth telling that story again. It's a belter). Keep up the good work Andy. I wouldn't have listened to "Olé" unless I'd watched this video (first time listen) and as a non-jazz fan it really floated my boat. I like the scales. Thanks again dude.
Great list, ...Birdland is also my favorite. The moment in Afro Blue when Coltrane comes in after the Piano solo is one of my favorite moments in recorded music
Glad to hear the discussion about the cadenza of Want To Talk About You. I totally dig it and play it for non-jazzers to give an example of what great jazz is all about.
Another entertaining and informative video !!! Coltrane's impact is indeed immense and everlasting. After Coltrane's time in Miles Davis' band, saxophonists from Wayne Shorter to Kenny Garrett had a great standard to meet. My most listened to albums. 1. Giant Steps 2. Ole Coltrane 3. Coltrane (62) 4. Live At Birdland 5. My Favorite Things 6. Blue Train 7. A Love Supreme 8. All Morning Long w. Red Garland Quintet 9. w. Duke Ellington 10. w. Thelonious Monk at Carnegie. Hall On the piano jazz tip, Brad Mehldau has been bringing fire to" Countdown" for many years !!!
No collection of Coltrane recordings is complete without either Selflessness or Newport '63. The version of My Favorite Things is absolutely perfect and mind-blowing.
For me, it’s A Love Supreme, Ascension, Crescent, and My Favourite Things. Totally personal choices, etc. Just the ones I spin the most. Great vid. Cheers.
Awesome! Looking forward to the rant! I listened to the Cannonball and Coltrane (mercury 1965) album last night, and ended it with some "miss" Della Reese.
I'm grateful for your illuminating observations about Coltrane. Plus your unaffected declaration of reverence for "A Love Supreme" and your confession that you moved it from first to second brought to mind the lines from Shakespeare's "The Phoenix and the Turtle": "Two distincts; division none: Number there in Love was slain."
"The John Coltrane Quartet Plays" from 65 is my favorite. Not the catchiest title, but that record embodies everything I love most about Coltrane perfectly.
I really enjoy your analysis and perspective. Chronologically speaking Coltrane was my 2nd sax hero (after Stan Getz and followed by Wayne Shorter, Joe Henderson, Dexter Gordon, Mike Brecker and Wilton Felder). It was gratifying that you referenced the astonishing cadenza on "I Want to Talk About You". There are several recorded versions but surely one of the best is from Newport '63 (several tracks from which appear on the Selflessness LP). This LP also contains perhaps the most iconic version of "My Favorite Things", the one featuring Roy Haynes. A tragically underrated album is "Alternate Takes" which came out years later than Giant Steps, featuring mostly alternate tracks from that session. There are ways in which some of these tracks are as good, or even better! than the original releases. On Alternate Takes: Naima has a gorgeous tenor solo whereas the original release only has piano solo; Countdown has a much longer and even more startling tenor solo; on Giant Steps the tenor solo is more swinging and melodic, though perhaps not as ferocious; and lastly there is a gorgeous ballad called "I'll Wait and Pray" with a beautiful McCoy Tyner solo plus a stunning tenor polyphonic at the end. Thanks again for the fascinating content you are creating and regards from PA, USA. P.S. the Crescent album deserves special mention.
Thanks for those informations. I sorted my coltrane collection by session, not by album, according to the reference coltrane book. It was easier to search for all these versions edited later on several albums
Great vid as usual. I agree that Blue Train is the perfect intro to Coltrane and still perhaps my favoirite. How about a vid on Ornette Colman? Another truly great musician who I guess invented a new musical language I guess. I have no musical knowledge or ability but just try and keep my mind and ears open!
This video comes at a perfect time, Andy, as I've been on a "get to know Coltrane" kick. I can't say that I understand him and what makes him stand out but I love a lot of his albums from MIles' Kind of Blue on, but recently I've fallen deeply in love with the last studio album he recorded while alive, Expression. His playing here just feels so present, so expressive of the wild array of emotions he must have been feeling as he was finally recognizing his illness and impending death. But there are so many that I've discovered from his 1960s work that I'd never heard before, including Kulu se Mama and Meditations. I look forward greatly to trying out Blue Train and Crescent.
Yay, Live in Paris! One the many great jazz albums re-released for virtually bugger all by Affinity. I had no idea they became more expensive later on...
I think his sound in Crescent was so amazing. And the compositions. I definitely think his Impulse catalog is unequalled. A Love Supreme would top many lists. And it’s notable that his work is so consistently excellent there’s easily 5-6 records that could be #1 and no one would argue with you. Alabama is amazing and so deeply moving. I love most all the Impulse records.
In my jazzprogramme Blue note from the blue boat a couple of months ago I played 'I wanna talk about you' twice. First the Soultrane version and directly after that the Live at Birdland version just to demonstrate how extremely different Coltrane sounded just within less than four years. Among my favourites you didn't mention are also Sun Ship and Transition. And Paris concert (with an incredible 26 minute version of Mister P.C).And there were a couple of Impulse albums which came out in the seventies with so called rest material (studio outtakes and live material). Some albums were even double albums which also contains great stuff. Titles of these albums: The Mastery of John Coltrane: Feelin'Good and To the beat of a different drum. Listen especially to the piece Untitled 90314. It will blow you away!
Thank you especially for this one and generally for sharing your passion for music, Andy! I’ve enjoyed a dozen of JC’s albums for years, but now I’m tempted to get the lot! To have some guidance and recommendations like this as to the ‘must haves’ is a big help on how to make the journey.
Around 1965 I was traveling around the US viewing college campuses. I had my LPs with me: Meditations, Love Supreme, Far Cry from Eric Dolphy. Etc.I'd go into dorms and put these records on people's turntables. I was quickly banished, my LPS thrown, broken, spat on. Only Antioch College came close. Not close enough. I have a novel detailing my experiences growing up as jazz. On Meditations there's a moment when Trane drops out and it's all the rhythm section. Elvin catches this Afro beat, the band follows him and we have an elegy from mCoy Tyner, something so beautiful I thought I was in heaven.
That was also my first Coltrane album and it is still my favorite 35 years later. I was just hoping it would get a mention on your list, never would have guessed it would be your number one pick.
Just seen this session and found your analysis on Coltrane both informed and interesting. You are right that everyone will have their preferred period and I can see that you prefer the free jazz period - but it is worth remembering that Coltrane had his more mellow, reflective side and therefore I missed the Johnny Hartman collaborations in your list . But hey, we are in subjective territory here! My favorite album is Crescent - for me the title track is Coltrane at his most inspired. While I was a student and my buddies were posing to The Sex Pistols, Clash etc.. my gateway drug was the very spiritually focused" The Gentle Side of John Coltrane" - not so gentle that it ignored "I Want to Talk About You" though; and I agree that is a phenomenal track, the cadenza which still echoes around my mind; very interesting to hear your thoughts on that. FWIW - the buddy who introduced me to Coltrane, another Andy, was proud that he had every Coltrane album issue up to that point. The Church of John Coltrane, eh? Really enjoying your channel, Andy, and have picked up lots of ideas and tips and the scope is really impressive.
Really loved this segment on this music legend. I really loved Coltrane's tune " Spiritual" which has nearly five million views on the tube. I too think he would have used electronics as he was already using a variety of instruments around the world during his free period. I think Wayne Shorter picked up "somewhere" he left off as far as fusion goes. Imagine Coltrane with an organ or electric piano sound. If you put Holdsworth solos within Mahavishnu's music of the early to mid 70's and you got the Coltrane influence.
Great choices. Although really there are no bad choices. Mine would include Blue Train, Crescent, Giant Steps, The 1963 Newport Jazz Festival, Afro Blue Impressions, and A Love Supreme.
Brilliant video, Andy. Have you heard the recent release, John Coltrane With Eric Dolphy - Evenings At the Village Gate (1961 recordings). Recorded by the house soundman to test the club's new sound system.
Oh, I agree with you about Meditations. I think it is my favorite. A Love Supreme broke through my deep religious skepticism. It was more than mere art for me. I can almost hear it all in my mind right now. Funny, I have never heard your No 1. I have something great to look forward to. My first Coltrane single cut was Double Clutching with Kenny Dorham and Cecil Taylor. I heard Trane's solo many many times. It was made during his deep searching phase. Loved Kenny and Cecil but I think they all came together for this one session date and they seemed to be just getting used to each other. I could write reams about Cecil but Coltrane was the elder stateman of the Avant Garde. Thank you for your fine analyses.
A most difficult task. Mine would include: - Sun Ship (especially due to the first 2 tracks) - First Meditations - Soultrane (especially due to "Russian Lullaby," but it's a great earlier one) - Ole (his best collaboration involving Dolphy) - A Love Supreme - the live recording later on in 1965 - Thelonious Monk & John Coltrane (if it counts...it's a Monk album - but it's got "Trinkle Tinkle" and "Nutty" on it, not to mention "Ruby My Dear")
I'd probably throw in "Transition," as well. Hard to break it down to just ten, I think. There's also all of those recordings he did with Miles in 1956: Workin', Cookin', Relaxin, and Steamin'.
I'm an extreme metal guitar/vox/bass/keyboard/drum programmer who happens to have a solo-ish project & a 2 man band that crosses over into the Christian music scene (me & drummer-the youtube account commenting). So: a maker of fringe music all told... In 1993/94, as a 17 year old musician/pothead in a college town band, i found Meditations & it blew my mind!! I've never found another recording that does anything like that for me- i searched Coltrane's & others' catalogs far & wide. And to this day Meditations stands as my favorite Coltrane record by far. Gotta say, i was already a jazz/ blues/ smooth jazz & Mr Bungle fan, so Meditations wasn't my introduction to Coltrane, but i still think an actual music fan can start anywhere in the catalog they want.
Funny enough Sea of Tranquility did a ranking of Coltrane this past Sunday. I include my ranking below that includes ones with him as sideman. Interestingly, another crossover to SoT is that I will (spoiler alert) include your album with Rain tomorrow in my favorite albums of 2023! Love the album and "spun" it many times this year. Cheers Andy! 1. Kind of Blue (with Miles Davis) 2. My Favorite Things 3. A Love Supreme 4. Giant Steps 5. Blue Train 6. Round About Midnight (with Miles Davis) 7. Milestones (with Miles Davis) 8. Live at Birdland 9. Duke Ellington & John Coltrane 10. Coltrane Plays the Blues Bubbling under: Crescent
My favorites: 10) First Meditations (For Quartet) 9) Africa / Brass 8) Live at Birdland 7) Ascension 6) Live in Antibes, 1965 5) My Favorite Things 4) Coltrane "Live" at the Village Vanguard 3) Giant Steps 2) The Olatunji Concert 1) A Love Supreme
A fantastic overview Andy. To the point, passionate and so informative. Totally about the music and “why.” And not once did you mention the best recorded version of each album to buy! (That has become extremely tiring to watch as YTers “sell” their wares). Keep them coming fella. Cheers from Oz
You’re funny. “squonking inaccessible free jazz” but the astounding thing he was still able to reach a fairly large audience with that music. He still connected. As much as anything, that speaks to the kind of musician he was.
My 10 Favorite Favorite Coltrane Albums( Chronologically) 1. Stardust/ Standard Coltrane 2. Black Pearl's 3.Blue Trane 4. Coltrane's Sound 5. Avante Garde with Don Cherry 6. Complete Africa Brass Sessions 7. John Coltrane/ Johnny Hartman 8. A Love Supreme 9. Live in Japan 10 . Interstellar Space
On a personal note. I’m a former guitarist, and I have a copy of “Coltrane Plays the Blues,” so if I ever get back to it, I’ll have an encyclopedia of chops I can steal that sound nothing like Clapton or Hendrix.
@@sophiaperennis2360 Most of the tunes are in 12 bar form so yup, they’re blues, even if in a thoroughly abstracted form. Much the same can be said of the Miles classic. They’re blues, kind of - hence the pun. Then there’s Kenny Burrell’s “Midnight Blue.” SRV stole “Chitlins Con Carne” from it. There’s lot of overlap between the two genres.
'Jupiter Variation'. I know very little about the record. It could be a Japanese import. Not to be confused with the track from 'Interstellar Space' (although there could be some tracks from that record on this one? I forget...). I don't even know where I first heard this record, or acquired it. I don't know why it's my favourite... but that's the one from the late phase I play the most
Very good selection, even though I am very familiar with Trane's recordings after "Transition" (1965). I would would have include "Coltrane's Sound" and "Ole" to my list, but then what about "Jazz", "Soultrane", "Plays the Blues", and "Africa/Brass"(Which sounds like no other Trane albums). For an immense artist like Coltrane, you can only do a top 20 or maybe top 15 albums !....
First Meditations. The last of the classic quartet, and I'll grant that I don't follow him much after that. The ending of Serenity is one of the heaviest things I've heard.
Transition Dont neglect that masterpiece Cannonball and Coltrane Dont miss that gem either Trane Forever 🙏 If you love later Trane and are unfamiliar with David S Ware I would like to make a strong recommendation of checking out his work. Particularly 90s recordings, Flight of I, Cryptology.
That was effing great, thank you. Without "Naima", we would not have "Starless" by KC. Side note, I would not complain if you did an Eric Dolphy video. This is, of course, presuming that you are an Eric Dol[phy nerd, Cheers.
To be frank, although I've got God knows how many albums by this guy (Coltrane, not Andy), I rarely listen to them. The cast iron tone and essential humourlessness makes them hard work. I listen to Eric Dolphy much more.
I'm 76, Andy. I saw Coltrane live five or maybe six times, including with Archie Shepp in Chicago. I bought each Trane album as it came out. I was also devoted to Ornette and wound up serving as his baby sitter (for obnoxious nephew from O's sister, ABBie.) I'm a drummer/keyboardist. You're speaking my language, my friend.
Always great to see a presentation about 'Trane!
1- A Love Supreme
2- Kulu se Mama
3-The complete Village Vanguard Box(1961)
4- Ole'
5-Africa/Brass
6-Coltrane Plays the Blues
7- Concert in Japan!! Heavy!
8- Ascention
9- Meditations
10- Live in Antibes
Sorry ..but yes you need to include his other two biggest albums you ignored.
'Meditations for Quarte't is a very underrated one (1965, one of the last quartet albums). Much better than the rather messsy sextet version.
My sincere thanks for your work on this, and your genuine enthusiasm and desire to share!
My pleasure!
I fell in love with John Coltrane's Tenor with Kind of Blue by Miles Davis. I've been a Coltrane devotee since the late '80s, and my passion for his music has grown yearly. Thank you for a passion-filled episode!
The 'Village Vanguard' box is an absolute killer. Love it, and can't recommend it enough. It's always a bit cliché to say that a great artist died too young, but it's hardly a stretch to believe that Coltrane was only beginning the next chapter when he departed, and had sooooo much more to say.
Crescent is my favorite Coltrane album. Underrated.
Same 🍻
Same here.... It is always considered a bridge in his career, but it has its own unique qualities regardless of the previous and subsequent recordings.
Hi Andy-Great Video. Since it's relevant to this discussion I'm going to re-post (cut and paste with a few edits) a story from my youth that I've left in a few RUclips comments sections before, including (I think) one of yours a few years ago:
"The most epic listening session, however, was in college, around 1975 or 76. I like many musical genres, but by that time the music I listened to most frequently was jazz and of course the great saxophonist John Coltrane was a musical hero to me and several friends. We concocted a plan to listen to all the John Coltrane albums we could get together, in chronological order, in one marathon session, which we called "The Coltrane Lock-In". I think there were four of us that were the main participants. Between all of us, and borrowing a few more albums from some other friends, we put together about 30 Coltrane albums, or maybe a few more. The entire lock-in lasted just a little under 24 hours. The core group of us were there for the entire time, but I lived in a communal house and several other friends and housemates would come in and listen for an hour or two, then pop in the room the following morning and say: "Are you guys really still at it?"...LOL. We heard the incredible evolution of Coltrane as an artist through his roughly 10 year career as a solo artist, starting with his late fifties hard bop period on Prestige and Blue Note records ("Blue Trane", "Black Pearls", "Bahia" etc.). Then onto his stuff on Atlantic records with the ground breaking "Giant Steps" as well as "Coltrane Plays the Blues", "My Favorite Things", "Coltrane Jazz", "Ole" etc., and then into his increasingly spiritual and unbelievably powerful records from the early and mid sixties on the Impulse label like "Africa Brass", "Crescent", "Impressions", "Live at Birdland", "Coltrane", "Live at the Village Vanguard", "Ballads", "Selflessness", the majestic masterpiece "A Love Supreme" etc., etc. The final six or seven records were the very wild, so-called free jazz stuff from the last couple years of his life (1966 and 67) like "Ascension", "Meditations", "Live in Seattle" etc., ending with the somewhat somber but beautiful "Expressions". About half way through the Lock-In one or more of the core participants may, or may not, have ingested some very strong mind-altering substance that may, or may not, have aided in our understanding the avant garde music of Coltrane's late period. Anyway, it was time very well spent...LOL."
Hi Andy. I downloaded/installed the app you mentioned but unfortunately it doesn't work with that information...sorry.
It's interesting to me that as he explored the outer limits of harmony, Coltrane went back and immersed himself in the tradition. In 1963 he released two albums of a more traditional bent, both of which were gorgeous: Duke Ellington and John Coltrane, in which the two leaders are accompanied by drums and bass, and then the John Coltrane and Johnny Hartmann album, which features the classic Coltrane Quartet. For me, these records establish definitive versions of very well known songs (In a Sentimental Mood, Lush Life) and Coltrane's mastery of the tradition is clearly deepened by his work outside it. Something to chew on as we ponder what might have been.
Great job, as always, Andy.
I love listening to your music chat, nice perspective
Ole is amazing! Great video Andyl
Crescent is my favourite
This guy gets it
Wise one 👌
@@nakim55 a beautiful tune for sure
Your early biography of Coltrane omitted perhaps the most momentous incident in his musical journey. In November, 1948 he joined Cleanhead Vinson's band. Up until then, he had been playing alto saxophone. The vacancy in Vinson's band was for a tenor. He might not have swapped to tenor if he didn't take that gig. Denis Sandole and Earl Bostic also deserve a mention. Coltrane learned a lot during his formative time with them.
I was introduced to Coltrane by a young man who was obsessed with Tranes music. He was so critical of a PBS series on Coltranes life that they hired him to carry it on and gave him a late night jazz show slot on the station.When I said to him that I was having a hard time getting into and or understanding his music. He then laid out a list of Tranes music and how to procede through the list to gain understanding of what he was doing muscically. I have always been quite grateful for his time and effort spent on my behalf. Good stuff and love your site.
Alabama is one of the most beautiful and heartfelt songs ever recorded - it makes me cry every time...
☝️😎
I love his stuff with Eric Dolphy, I've got the four disc Village Vanguard set.
Great video 👍
Terrific journey into the discography of an artist with an astounding body of work.
Great overview of the high points in the Coltrane canon! I have a good number of those classics, but not yet the Free Jazz ones. I have been listening to his Live in Seattle (1965) on which Pharoah Sanders also plays. A very challenging and difficult one to take in on one listen. In various reviews it has been described as "violent". Not sure if I am inclined to explore the Free Jazz pathway much further if it all sounds like this...unless Ascension, Meditations, or Live in Paris are a touch more accessible than "Seattle".
I’ve been listening to jazz for probably 6 months. All the classic artists. Coltrane connects with me most. It has been a pleasure discovering this music. Thanks for the video. Very informative and entertaining ❤
Hey Andy, what a superb presentation of some of your favourite Trane albums. Coltrane changed my life and led me to a life dedicated to playing the saxophone that still thankfully continues! Thank you.🙏
Hi Andy - thank you for this fine video. I'm glad you put "Interstellar space" on your list. It's maybe my favorite free jazz album by Coltrane. It's hard to put a top 10 list, but I'll try (no particular order):
- Coltrane (it was the first record by Coltrane I got)
- Soultrane
- Blue Train
- Village Vanguard
- Crescent
- Love Supreme
- JC Quartet Plays
- Live At Birdland
- Interstellar Space
- JC and Johnny Hartman
I left some great records out, I love a lot, but to these 10 I come back regularly.
I was so lucky to nab Blue Train in my first purchase of jazz albums (along with Hank Mobley, Soul Station, & Art Blakey, Moanin’). It opened a whole new world to me.
3 top tenners right there
This was great. Thanks!
Really enjoyed the part where you tell the tale of spending the art award money on the double album. More stories about when, why, where (and "how") you obtained the vinyl in the first place would be fun ... or indeed if it was a significant swap (maybe a record swap with a lad at school? --- for more recent audiences it might be worth telling that story again. It's a belter).
Keep up the good work Andy. I wouldn't have listened to "Olé" unless I'd watched this video (first time listen) and as a non-jazz fan it really floated my boat. I like the scales.
Thanks again dude.
Great list, ...Birdland is also my favorite.
The moment in Afro Blue when Coltrane comes in after the Piano solo is one of my favorite moments in recorded music
this brothers enthusiasm never wanes, in the moment, like he’s blowing a horn.. . great 🎶☀️☮️🐾
Inspiring reviews. Always push me to listen again some beautiful records. Thank you for your work.
Glad to hear the discussion about the cadenza of Want To Talk About You. I totally dig it and play it for non-jazzers to give an example of what great jazz is all about.
Another entertaining and informative video !!! Coltrane's impact is indeed immense and everlasting. After Coltrane's time in Miles Davis' band, saxophonists from Wayne Shorter to Kenny Garrett had a great standard to meet.
My most listened to albums.
1. Giant Steps
2. Ole Coltrane
3. Coltrane (62)
4. Live At Birdland
5. My Favorite Things
6. Blue Train
7. A Love Supreme
8. All Morning Long w. Red Garland Quintet
9. w. Duke Ellington
10. w. Thelonious Monk at Carnegie. Hall
On the piano jazz tip, Brad Mehldau has been bringing fire to" Countdown" for many years !!!
Great work, Andy. love your approach in making great video analysis 👍🏾
No collection of Coltrane recordings is complete without either Selflessness or Newport '63. The version of My Favorite Things is absolutely perfect and mind-blowing.
For me, it’s A Love Supreme, Ascension, Crescent, and My Favourite Things. Totally personal choices, etc. Just the ones I spin the most. Great vid. Cheers.
Really one of your better videos, love all these albums!
Great video. These are my top 4
1. My Favourite Things
2. A Love Supreme
3. Soultrane
4. Crescent
Awesome!
Looking forward to the rant! I listened to the Cannonball and Coltrane (mercury 1965) album last night, and ended it with some "miss" Della Reese.
I'm grateful for your illuminating observations about Coltrane. Plus your unaffected declaration of reverence for "A Love Supreme" and your confession that you moved it from first to second brought to mind the lines from Shakespeare's "The Phoenix and the Turtle": "Two distincts; division none: Number there in Love was slain."
Great Jack DeJohnette anecdote!
Well done for finding the right words to describe the intensely satisfying sonic pleasure of John Coltrane.
"The John Coltrane Quartet Plays" from 65 is my favorite. Not the catchiest title, but that record embodies everything I love most about Coltrane perfectly.
Hey Andy! You should make a video about the music of Charles Mingus, or an album ranking for him. Cheers! Great stuff as always
I've only heard fragments of his output and will seek out more. Really enjoyed your video, thanks.
Great session Andy! We used to play your school at rugby...
I really enjoy your analysis and perspective. Chronologically speaking Coltrane was my 2nd sax hero (after Stan Getz and followed by Wayne Shorter, Joe Henderson, Dexter Gordon, Mike Brecker and Wilton Felder). It was gratifying that you referenced the astonishing cadenza on "I Want to Talk About You". There are several recorded versions but surely one of the best is from Newport '63 (several tracks from which appear on the Selflessness LP). This LP also contains perhaps the most iconic version of "My Favorite Things", the one featuring Roy Haynes. A tragically underrated album is "Alternate Takes" which came out years later than Giant Steps, featuring mostly alternate tracks from that session. There are ways in which some of these tracks are as good, or even better! than the original releases. On Alternate Takes: Naima has a gorgeous tenor solo whereas the original release only has piano solo; Countdown has a much longer and even more startling tenor solo; on Giant Steps the tenor solo is more swinging and melodic, though perhaps not as ferocious; and lastly there is a gorgeous ballad called "I'll Wait and Pray" with a beautiful McCoy Tyner solo plus a stunning tenor polyphonic at the end. Thanks again for the fascinating content you are creating and regards from PA, USA. P.S. the Crescent album deserves special mention.
Thanks for those informations. I sorted my coltrane collection by session, not by album, according to the reference coltrane book. It was easier to search for all these versions edited later on several albums
Great vid as usual. I agree that Blue Train is the perfect intro to Coltrane and still perhaps my favoirite.
How about a vid on Ornette Colman? Another truly great musician who I guess invented a new musical language I guess. I have no musical knowledge or ability but just try and keep my mind and ears open!
This video comes at a perfect time, Andy, as I've been on a "get to know Coltrane" kick. I can't say that I understand him and what makes him stand out but I love a lot of his albums from MIles' Kind of Blue on, but recently I've fallen deeply in love with the last studio album he recorded while alive, Expression. His playing here just feels so present, so expressive of the wild array of emotions he must have been feeling as he was finally recognizing his illness and impending death. But there are so many that I've discovered from his 1960s work that I'd never heard before, including Kulu se Mama and Meditations. I look forward greatly to trying out Blue Train and Crescent.
Yes, Yes, Yes ! Live at Birdland is also my favourite. The versions on I Just Wanna Talk…. and The Promise are amazing .
Yay, Live in Paris! One the many great jazz albums re-released for virtually bugger all by Affinity. I had no idea they became more expensive later on...
Nice, surprised you didn't put on love supreme live in Seattle. But I like u grabbed the tougher listens cause you're a real fan, here's 2 u pal
When I am over stressed after work ascenion works as mental releaser for me.
I think his sound in Crescent was so amazing. And the compositions. I definitely think his Impulse catalog is unequalled. A Love Supreme would top many lists. And it’s notable that his work is so consistently excellent there’s easily 5-6 records that could be #1 and no one would argue with you. Alabama is amazing and so deeply moving. I love most all the Impulse records.
Thank you Sir, that you !!
In my jazzprogramme Blue note from the blue boat a couple of months ago I played 'I wanna talk about you' twice. First the Soultrane version and directly after that the Live at Birdland version just to demonstrate how extremely different Coltrane sounded just within less than four years. Among my favourites you didn't mention are also Sun Ship and Transition. And Paris concert (with an incredible 26 minute version of Mister P.C).And there were a couple of Impulse albums which came out in the seventies with so called rest material (studio outtakes and live material). Some albums were even double albums which also contains great stuff. Titles of these albums: The Mastery of John Coltrane: Feelin'Good and To the beat of a different drum. Listen especially to the piece Untitled 90314. It will blow you away!
Great countdown, Coltrane was many things to many people.
Thank you especially for this one and generally for sharing your passion for music, Andy! I’ve enjoyed a dozen of JC’s albums for years, but now I’m tempted to get the lot! To have some guidance and recommendations like this as to the ‘must haves’ is a big help on how to make the journey.
Around 1965 I was traveling around the US viewing college campuses. I had my LPs with me: Meditations, Love Supreme, Far Cry from Eric Dolphy. Etc.I'd go into dorms and put these records on people's turntables. I was quickly banished, my LPS thrown, broken, spat on. Only Antioch College came close. Not close enough. I have a novel detailing my experiences growing up as jazz. On Meditations there's a moment when Trane drops out and it's all the rhythm section. Elvin catches this Afro beat, the band follows him and we have an elegy from mCoy Tyner, something so beautiful I thought I was in heaven.
Africa/Brass is one of my favourite albums of his. 👏
That was also my first Coltrane album and it is still my favorite 35 years later. I was just hoping it would get a mention on your list, never would have guessed it would be your number one pick.
Love the channel......
Coltrane is my favorite musician. Im glad that you like him too. My favorite things is my favorite song ever.
One of my favourite artist, ever. 🎶
Just seen this session and found your analysis on Coltrane both informed and interesting. You are right that everyone will have their preferred period and I can see that you prefer the free jazz period - but it is worth remembering that Coltrane had his more mellow, reflective side and therefore I missed the Johnny Hartman collaborations in your list . But hey, we are in subjective territory here! My favorite album is Crescent - for me the title track is Coltrane at his most inspired. While I was a student and my buddies were posing to The Sex Pistols, Clash etc.. my gateway drug was the very spiritually focused" The Gentle Side of John Coltrane" - not so gentle that it ignored "I Want to Talk About You" though; and I agree that is a phenomenal track, the cadenza which still echoes around my mind; very interesting to hear your thoughts on that. FWIW - the buddy who introduced me to Coltrane, another Andy, was proud that he had every Coltrane album issue up to that point. The Church of John Coltrane, eh?
Really enjoying your channel, Andy, and have picked up lots of ideas and tips and the scope is really impressive.
Very enjoyable and informative. A Love Supreme and Bitches Brew…..what a pair of iconic albums….throw in a third you say…Wheels of Fire…
Really loved this segment on this music legend. I really loved Coltrane's tune " Spiritual" which has nearly five million views on the tube. I too think he would have used electronics as he was already using a variety of instruments around the world during his free period. I think Wayne Shorter picked up "somewhere" he left off as far as fusion goes. Imagine Coltrane with an organ or electric piano sound. If you put Holdsworth solos within Mahavishnu's music of the early to mid 70's and you got the Coltrane influence.
Would love to see a video dedicated just to A Love Supreme.
Great choices. Although really there are no bad choices. Mine would include Blue Train, Crescent, Giant Steps, The 1963 Newport Jazz Festival, Afro Blue Impressions, and A Love Supreme.
Brilliant video, Andy. Have you heard the recent release, John Coltrane With Eric Dolphy - Evenings At the Village Gate (1961 recordings). Recorded by the house soundman to test the club's new sound system.
Yes I did listen to it when it came out. Another masterpiece
@@AndyEdwardsDrummerThanks, Andy. Btw, are you into the Art Ensemble of Chicago, Lester Bowie solo work, that sub-genre of jazz, etc.?
Oh, I agree with you about Meditations. I think it is my favorite. A Love Supreme broke through my deep religious skepticism. It was more than mere art for me. I can almost hear it all in my mind right now. Funny, I have never heard your No 1. I have something great to look forward to. My first Coltrane single cut was Double Clutching with Kenny Dorham and Cecil Taylor. I heard Trane's solo many many times. It was made during his deep searching phase. Loved Kenny and Cecil but I think they all came together for this one session date and they seemed to be just getting used to each other. I could write reams about Cecil but Coltrane was the elder stateman of the Avant Garde. Thank you for your fine analyses.
A most difficult task. Mine would include:
- Sun Ship (especially due to the first 2 tracks)
- First Meditations
- Soultrane (especially due to "Russian Lullaby," but it's a great earlier one)
- Ole (his best collaboration involving Dolphy)
- A Love Supreme - the live recording later on in 1965
- Thelonious Monk & John Coltrane (if it counts...it's a Monk album - but it's got "Trinkle Tinkle" and "Nutty" on it, not to mention "Ruby My Dear")
Trane and Monk together are truly wonderful but Hawk's Ruby with Monk cuts Trane's IMO
I'd probably throw in "Transition," as well. Hard to break it down to just ten, I think. There's also all of those recordings he did with Miles in 1956: Workin', Cookin', Relaxin, and Steamin'.
I'm an extreme metal guitar/vox/bass/keyboard/drum programmer who happens to have a solo-ish project & a 2 man band that crosses over into the Christian music scene (me & drummer-the youtube account commenting). So: a maker of fringe music all told...
In 1993/94, as a 17 year old musician/pothead in a college town band, i found Meditations & it blew my mind!!
I've never found another recording that does anything like that for me- i searched Coltrane's & others' catalogs far & wide. And to this day Meditations stands as my favorite Coltrane record by far.
Gotta say, i was already a jazz/ blues/ smooth jazz & Mr Bungle fan, so Meditations wasn't my introduction to Coltrane, but i still think an actual music fan can start anywhere in the catalog they want.
Live in Seattle
Coltrane is beyond description, like Miles Davis. Amazing musician and communicator.
Funny enough Sea of Tranquility did a ranking of Coltrane this past Sunday. I include my ranking below that includes ones with him as sideman. Interestingly, another crossover to SoT is that I will (spoiler alert) include your album with Rain tomorrow in my favorite albums of 2023! Love the album and "spun" it many times this year. Cheers Andy!
1. Kind of Blue (with Miles Davis)
2. My Favorite Things
3. A Love Supreme
4. Giant Steps
5. Blue Train
6. Round About Midnight (with Miles Davis)
7. Milestones (with Miles Davis)
8. Live at Birdland
9. Duke Ellington & John Coltrane
10. Coltrane Plays the Blues
Bubbling under:
Crescent
My favorites:
10) First Meditations (For Quartet)
9) Africa / Brass
8) Live at Birdland
7) Ascension
6) Live in Antibes, 1965
5) My Favorite Things
4) Coltrane "Live" at the Village Vanguard
3) Giant Steps
2) The Olatunji Concert
1) A Love Supreme
Crescent.
Muy interesante. Now i can start listening to j.c.
A fantastic overview Andy. To the point, passionate and so informative. Totally about the music and “why.” And not once did you mention the best recorded version of each album to buy! (That has become extremely tiring to watch as YTers “sell” their wares). Keep them coming fella. Cheers from Oz
Glad you enjoyed it
Spiritual on Live at Vanguard has the truly most gorgeous Bass Clarinet solo by Dolphy that I have heard
crescent, sun ship and coltrane are probably my top 3. that cd reissue "afro blue/impressions" is outstanding
Can you make a written note list of your top 10, when you do these things?
You’re funny. “squonking inaccessible free jazz” but the astounding thing he was still able to reach a fairly large audience with that music. He still connected. As much as anything, that speaks to the kind of musician he was.
Check out the posthumously released " TRANSITIONS "
Newport ‘63 and second self titled record belong in the conversation as well. Pretty hard to pick just 10.
My 10 Favorite Favorite Coltrane Albums( Chronologically)
1. Stardust/ Standard Coltrane
2. Black Pearl's
3.Blue Trane
4. Coltrane's Sound
5. Avante Garde with Don Cherry
6. Complete Africa Brass Sessions
7. John Coltrane/ Johnny Hartman
8. A Love Supreme
9. Live in Japan
10 . Interstellar Space
I struggle to enjoy the free jazz stuff (by anyone really), but I’ll give the late Trane era another try.
Listen to what Coltrane is actually playing, focus on that
On a personal note. I’m a former guitarist, and I have a copy of “Coltrane Plays the Blues,” so if I ever get back to it, I’ll have an encyclopedia of chops I can steal that sound nothing like Clapton or Hendrix.
If you can play them. That album is Coltrane at his most sophisticated blues nothing.
@@sophiaperennis2360 Most of the tunes are in 12 bar form so yup, they’re blues, even if in a thoroughly abstracted form. Much the same can be said of the Miles classic. They’re blues, kind of - hence the pun. Then there’s Kenny Burrell’s “Midnight Blue.” SRV stole “Chitlins Con Carne” from it. There’s lot of overlap between the two genres.
Dear mr.Edwards i am a german jazz maniac.I own estimately 90 records from THE GREATEST J.C.All these are my favourite things.
Also “Coltrane,” with “out of this world,” Roscoe Mitchell told me that is where he thought Coltrane first start playing “out.”
'Jupiter Variation'. I know very little about the record. It could be a Japanese import. Not to be confused with the track from 'Interstellar Space' (although there could be some tracks from that record on this one? I forget...). I don't even know where I first heard this record, or acquired it. I don't know why it's my favourite... but that's the one from the late phase I play the most
Very good selection, even though I am very familiar with Trane's recordings after "Transition" (1965). I would would have include "Coltrane's Sound" and "Ole" to my list,
but then what about "Jazz", "Soultrane", "Plays the Blues", and "Africa/Brass"(Which sounds like no other Trane albums). For an immense artist like Coltrane, you can
only do a top 20 or maybe top 15 albums !....
How can this even be approached without living on a mountain alone for five years.
It was cold up there
Cosmic music album changed my life!
Nothing tops Crescent.
First Meditations. The last of the classic quartet, and I'll grant that I don't follow him much after that. The ending of Serenity is one of the heaviest things I've heard.
Also "Transition"! Mind blowing!
Transition
Dont neglect that masterpiece
Cannonball and Coltrane
Dont miss that gem either
Trane Forever 🙏
If you love later Trane and are unfamiliar with David S Ware I would like to make a strong recommendation of checking out his work. Particularly 90s recordings, Flight of I, Cryptology.
Ranked?
Come on, Man!
That was effing great, thank you. Without "Naima", we would not have "Starless" by KC. Side note, I would not complain if you did an Eric Dolphy video. This is, of course, presuming that you are an Eric Dol[phy nerd, Cheers.
Big fan, not a nerd. I would have to do some research for that one
Loved it! But where was Crescent?
Blue Train--please, please, please push the front booklet back in the case or you're gonna get indents on the front.
(reads this comment=throws case across room)
Coltrane’s Sound is my fav. Thanks for the vid, loved it!
Glad you enjoyed!
To be frank, although I've got God knows how many albums by this guy (Coltrane, not Andy), I rarely listen to them. The cast iron tone and essential humourlessness makes them hard work. I listen to Eric Dolphy much more.
For what it’s worth I think JC’s Impulse contract was the richest in Jazz at the time he signed it