Customer Reviews

Coltrane for Lovers

5 star:		(11)
4 star:		(6)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

First let me state that I don't own this nor will I ever own this. This is just another example of Verve repackaging the same material over and over again. Anyone interested in this set should pick up one of the three albums most of these songs are taken from. Each of those sets has a special sound to it. Ballads is very gentle but extremely beautiful (the best of the three in my opinion) while the Ellington set has a nice swing to it. The Hartmann is very lush. Impulse, now a division of Verve (which is a division of Universal - which is a division of...) has had an excellent, more varied compilation called the Gentle Side of John Coltrane available for years.

This is a trend that all the big companies seem to follow. When Verve took over the impulse catalog, they dropped many current artist (those with a smaller market share) and started re-re-re-issuing the same stuff. Great music is still unreleased on CD and Miles, Coltrane, Armstrong and other proven sellers keep getting reissues with the same tracks jumbled up with titles that have little to do with the originial conception of the work. I'm waiting for some true theme CDs like "Bix for Drinking" or "Mingus for Angry Folks."

Hats off to Amazon for placing smaller independent label releases next to the big guys! There is music being made. Go find it!

Now this Coltrane CD is a true feast for the ears. Unlike Stellar Regions, Coltrane For Lovers is soothing and filled with several catchy songs. Coltrane's saxaphone is front and center, however the piano, bass, and drums interwine very nicely. Vocalist John Hartman contributes nicely on three tracks. Its a shame there is not more of his work on this release.

The tone is pretty constant on the eleven tracks. However that is probably the only drawback. Because this collection most certainly can set a romantic mood. Pick it up and play it for your special someone. You'll certainly charm his or her heart.

So I just got on the jazz tip. Might as well start wit the best.
In a sentimental mood I remember from Love Jones fell in love waay back then. Shocked my dad that I even own a coltrane cd. Now I hide my Mingus and Miles collection from him. Now while this is the softer side of coltrane it wonderful for those just startin to listen to jazz. I think after the rain is my favorite but I dont know yet, probally never will. Worth every dollar.

Yes, these songs can be found on other albums, but it is so nice to have them all grouped together on one cd. It is the perfect cd to relax with. Gorgeous songs and Coltrane's sultry romantic sax. There are also 3 vocal tracks with Johnny Hartman, which makes for a perfect combination. I think this is a good place to start for anyone not familiar with Coltrane, as this is a highly accessible album, one that anyone can enjoy. The booklet includes an interesting essay on Coltrane.

This is the first Coltrane recording that I've purchased, and I was moved to buy it because I love ballads. The CD opens with one of my favorite standards "My One and Only Love," and features a few other familiar tracks -- ie. "Too Young to Go Steady" and "In a Sentimental Mood" I first heard the latter on the "Love Jones" soundtrack and was enthralled. I know that "A Love Supreme," is considered Coltrane's seminal work, but I wanted to start off with some of his softer, romantic selections -- and what better way than with a compilation CD?

Because it features some vocals as well as instrumental pieces, I think that people who do not typically purchase Jazz may be drawn to this collection. It really is a lovely collection of work.

If you're looking for pure Coltrane this is not the CD for you. If you're new to Trane and want to know what all the fuss is about this is the wrong CD to start with, he's very ordinary here. This is the soft side of Coltrane, yet his horn personifies strength and virility in a romantic way. If you are looking to understand the totality of the artist and enjoy ballads than this CD is for you. Granted this music is available on other CD's but then what isn't? The editor and a reviewer explain all the details of availabilty elsewhere. The cuts featured here display one of the strengths of the man, the ability to be a frontman yet collaborate(Duke Ellington) and share the limelight usually afforded mostly to him. The ballads featured on this CD are magnificent pieces that display the sentimental side of Trane, softly blowing his magic through his horn, never dominating yet always captivating. On occasion there are glimses of the legendary improvisational side of Coltrane but for the most part it is a kinder, gentler, more subdued Trane that expresses one facet of his enormous talent. "In a Sentimantal Mood" is a beautiful track that best expresses what I am trying to say. The lingering keys by Duke Eliington resonate and interpaly in complete harmony with Trane, creating a dreamy sequence befitting of the title. Another strong yet gentle track is "My Little Brown Book" which tantalizes the ears in similar manner. If you like soft sexy ballads, music for the afterglow, this is the one to listen to. Perfect music for those special moments that linger beyond the music. Enjoy this CD now, cherish the special moments always.

I have several Coltrane discs, but I picked this one up for ambience reasons - to group a certain type of song together for consistency's sake. This one delivers. I have recommended it to my friends who aren't especially into jazz but want to get acclimated. Sometimes jazz can be intimidating, so helps when the songs recommended are this sublime. The complaint that it covers the same songs as Coltrane original issues is well taken, but it's okay when they're this good.

I'm always disappointed when I purchase what I think is a total instrumental recording and find vocals on it. I've been burned twice with "For Lovers" recordings; once with Jimmy Smith and now with Coltrane. In both cases, I only wanted to hear the instrumental talents of the featured musician, not the annoying and unexpected voice of some unknown "crooner." This wouldn't happen if they would list both artists or otherwise indicate that the recording includes vocals.

Coltrane For Lovers is thoroughly agreeable, and highly recommended, but only for those with limited knowledge of Coltrane's oeuvre. It's a compilation, all the tracks are readily available elsewhere, so in no sense is it "essential." What's best about it is that, in addition to being a soothing audio bubble bath that brings its own candles, it may lead neophytes deeper into the ballad side of Trane, for example, Coltrane and Hartman, Crescent, and Ballads.

Coltrane was a man of incredible surprises, but the greatest of them may be his genius around a ballad - stunning contrast to the explosive "sheets of sound" that put him on the map and secured his place in history.

The folks at Impulse! - with characteristic marketing savvy - have done their cherry-picking wisely, the CD is almost an assortment of "big hits," if such a thing is possible in jazz. Coltrane stalwarts are here including McCoy Tyner on piano, Jimmy Garrison on bass, and the amazing Elvin Jones on drums. There's also the treat of hearing Coltrane and Duke Ellington together, arguably a more historically important pairing than the much trumpeted, recently released, Trane and Monk collaboration.

Aside from Sentimental Mood, with Duke Ellington, and One And Only Love, with Hartman, the jewel that shines most brightly in this crown is After The Rain, an original Coltrane composition. (The slow descent and brooding atmosphere are reminiscent of Naima.) Tyner's piano is especially choice. After The Rain is simply one of the most beautifully evocative songs ever recorded by anyone.

One might say Coltrane For Lovers is for people who want the hipness of owning a Coltrane CD without the trouble of listening to him - the "rose without the thorn" syndrome. However, if, in the middle of making out with this music on in the background, they learn a little and are encouraged to dig further - where's the harm?

The more interesting question, or objection, is, to what extent is woozy, cocktail lounge music ideally suited to lovers? I would argue that this CD is perfect for couples in the first 6 weeks of love - while CDs like A Love Supreme, Ascension, and The African Brass Sessions paint out a more three-dimensional, passionate, and realistic portrait of love. Let's hope the neophytes dig that deep.

Perfect for a romantic evening, a quiet drive, or just as background music.
Coltrane is the "Man"
Gret selections. In fact, until I purchased this CD, I did not realize there was a series of jazz musicians with the "For Lovers" theme.
Thanks for the Memories