Blue Train

John Coltrane | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (October 25, 1990)
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Blue Note Records
• ASIN: B000005H40
• Also Available in: Audio CD  |  Audio Cassette  |  DVD Audio  |  Vinyl
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (67 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #45,569 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Track Listings

1. Blue Train

2. Moment's Notice

3. Locomotion

4. I'm Old Fashioned

5. Lazy Bird

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

The tenor sax giant had signed with another label when he embarked on this one-off date for Blue Note, an excursion that paid off with an enduring modern jazz masterpiece. Boasting volley after volley of smart soloing and intuitively swinging rhythm work, Blue Train is a joy, from the coolly precise ensemble entry on the opening title piece through the set's balance of elegant hard bop conversations and smooth downshifts into ballads. John Coltrane wrote four originals for the date, all of them now regarded as standards, and assembled a rhythm section including pianist Kenny Drew, Miles Davis's rhythm section of bassist Paul Chambers and drummer Philly Joe Jones, and trumpeter Lee Morgan and trombonist Curtis Fuller, both recent Blue Note recruits. Coltrane's signature sound, now fully developed but still hewing more to familiar blues and chromatic harmonies than his later modalities, is confident and expansive, and his partners respond vividly throughout. --Sam Sutherland

Product Description

Joining Coltranes tenor on this high influential 1957 LP are Lee Morgan, Curtis Fuller, Kenny Drew, Paul Chambers & Philly Joe Jones. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

32 of 38 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The greatest jazz-album I've heard in my lifetime, February 19, 2000

By 

Tyfoon - See all my reviews

This review is from: Blue Train (Audio CD)

I'm a 16-year old hip-hop head who's just begun to love jazz. Everytime I listen to John Coltrane's music I feel inspiration. When I get home from a long day at school I put "Blue Train" in my CD-player. Listening to it clears my mind. John Coltrane truly was one of the greatest musicians of all-time, and "Blue Train" truly deserves the title "classic". Jazz is not very popular among young people today, but everyone who says that jazz sucks should do like me and listen to this masterpiece. It surely will change their opinion on this wonderful genre.

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Blues In The Night, February 2, 2002

By 

douglas barton "emotions in motion" (Arlington, Va.) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Blue Train (Audio CD)

Mention the name " Coltrane " in Jazz circles and you're bound to receive a response whose admiration borders on an almost religious style worship. Other than Miles there's simply no one in this remarkable field of Music that has obtained such an incredibly strong, passionate and loyal following as that of John Coltrane. While long considered to be the intellectuals ( I dislike that word but.... ) 'favorite son' in a style of music that is chock-full of 'thinking' musicians Coltrane simply possess a unique position, where virtually he alone resides, all the while composing music that eventually would lead him on a quest where his soulful playing obtained an artistic level that was not only incredibly personal but certainly sought a deeply spiritual meaning as well. And while I won't pretend to understand the almost religious fervor that some friends have for this artist I will state that I do have a great deal of respect for John Coltrane....for the man and the musician as well. And listening to " Blue Train " might help explain why this tenor saxophonist is regarded in such high esteem.

While long being regarded a 'searching' musician, Coltrane and bandmates recorded " Blue Train ", his only Blue Note release, on Sept. 15, 1957. Obviously being well-rehearsed, the title track, an eerie blues selection, is Lee Morgan's real chance to shine. After the intial melody Lee's trumpet makes an energetic statement, followed closely by Curtis Fuller on trombone, and everything here runs extremely 'Hot and Cool'. Plus after 10 odd minutes the listener may be already exhausted, to say nothing of in awe of this bands performance. Following up with " Moment's Notice ", my personal favorite, another fast-paced tune with solo's by Coltrane, Fuller, Morgan and even a bowed bass performance by Paul Chambers, and you'll be amazed at how 'happy' even Coltrane can sound when composing. The ballad " I'm Old-Fashioned ", the only selection not written by him, is a perenial favorite as well, played softly and gently it's a wonderful contrast to the energetic playing that fills up the rest of this remarkable cd. But than again.... I've always been preferential to Ballads anyway! Closing with " Lazy Bird " with a wonderful piano intro by Kenny Drew, and following with solos by Coltrane, Fuller and Paul Chambers ( again using the bow ) and with Lee Morgan ending this track while Coltrane and Curtis ride out the theme. Even I, with my 'tin ear' understood after my very first listen that what I was hearing was a disc filled with songs that were performed by musicians who were not only ultimately honest about their music but incredibly passionate as well. And while I wasn't ready to 'bow to the alter of Coltrane' just yet I was completely enthralled by my purchase.

All in all " Blue Train " is remarkable in the sense that while the music being performed here is extremely free in it's origins it never lose's that sense of control that many jazz cd's, at least for me, seem to be guilty of when letting musicians endlessly 'wander' when soloing. Everything here, individually and collectively, works simply due to the players musical maturity in relating with one another and in each participant understanding his part in these wonderful tracks. And while it's true that in later years Coltrane took his music to a level where I could not join him ( I'm still trying to get through 'A Love Supreme'! ) I do have this incredible disc, plus ' Ballads " and " Giant Steps " to remember not only a quintessential musician but also a man who sought truth and guidance through his music. At hindsight, perhaps my friend's adoration of this inspired tenor saxophonist aren't so completely misguided after all.

9 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars get the ECD version instead!!!, March 1, 2001

By 

Benjamin K. Potter "loyal reader/writer" (Memphis, TN) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Blue Train (Audio CD)

Don't get me wrong: this CD is about the best "cool jazz" that's out there, and considering people have been trying unsuccessfully to top it for 40+ years, that's quite a feat. This is the kind of music that leaves a residue on you long after the songs are over, and while it's playing, you'll be humming, toe-tapping, finger-snapping, just in an all-around better mood. The style is good, the instrument balance is good, and Coltrane and Co. are technical maestros on their respective instruments.

Having given this CD my highest recommendation, now let me say you should get the ECD version instead (an enhanced CD). Aside from the CD-ROM bonus material, you'll get two extra songs: alternate takes on "Blue Train" and "Lady Bird" that give you another 15 minutes or so worth of music. As they say, "If you go, go all out." If you're interested in this album (and I hope you are) you might as well go with the "Deluxe Edition" instead of this very basic version.