Coltrane

Moderately gd early coltrane...which means better than almost anything else.

"While My Lady Sleeps" is the most beautiful ballad one can think of.

Oustanding!

this cd is very very good I am a very great fan of Coltrane and I would recommend it to any fan

Being someone who loves John Coltrane's work, but has never been too moved by his pre Giant Steps (1959/60) recordings (and that includes Blue Train), I decided however to take a listen for the first time to his first proper album on the Prestige label as band leader, simply titled 'Coltrane' (not to be confused with the brilliant 'Coltrane' album recorded by the classic quartet in 1962). I will admit to buying the cd the other day from a 2nd hand cd shop so I hope that Amazon will not judge me too harshly? If this review persuades at least one person to purchase 'Coltrane' then I trust that my indiscretion will have been readdressed?Accompanied by a cast of stellar musicians: Red Garland (piano), Paul Chambers (bass), Johnnie Splawn (trumpet), Sahib Shihab (baritone sax), Mal Waldron (piano), Al Heath (drums), 'Coltrane' was recorded in July 1957, shortly after he successfully kicked his heroin habit.The album comprises of six tracks - a mixture of mid tempo workouts and slow ballads. There are two coltrane originals: Straight Street and Chronic Blues, the latter being a Coltrane tour de force, in addition to excellent solos by other group members.Its all down to personal choice at the end of the day. Trane's masterpiece for me is the final Classic Quartet recording First Meditations (rec Sept1965, released 1977). 'A Love Supreme' is not even in my top ten, which I'm sure for most of you makes me slightly strange and certifiable perhaps?. Anyway, back to the album being reviewed - 'Coltrane' - i feel it is certainly on a par with other more more popular Prestige releases such as Soul Train and Lush Life...On the same note I would definitely recommend another excellent Prestige release 'Standard Coltrane' which was recorded in July 1958 but not released until 1962...The sound quality on this and 'Coltrane' is excellent throughout, especially since being remastered by original session engineer Rudy Van Gelder. There are many albums recorded in the 60's and 70's that don't sound as good as these do.For your information, 'Coltrane' aka First Trane is also available on a bargain double cd set named 'Soultrane'..