Coltrane (Prestige 7105) [Original recording reissued]

John Coltrane | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (July 1, 1991)
• Number of Discs: 1
• Format: Original recording reissued
• Label: Ojc
• ASIN: B000000Y0Z
• Also Available in: Audio Cassette  |  Vinyl
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #99,783 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Editorial Reviews

CD > POPULAR MUSIC > JAZZ

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

13 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Prestige 7105: Coltrane not acting on Impulse, May 27, 2006

By 

Stuart Calton "T.H.F. Drenching" (Manchester, UK) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Coltrane (Prestige 7105) (Audio CD)

The previous reviews are very useful and accurate if you're considering buying the album "Coltrane" on Impulse!, recorded in 1962. But this is actually the 1957 album "Coltrane", which came out on Prestige.

Coltrane's career didn't begin when he signed to Impulse! (contrary to what the label sometimes tries to imply), nor did it begin when he signed to Atlantic.

Before both of these labels, he was on Prestige recording a bunch of albums which tend to get overlooked nowadays. The assumption that these albums are "merely" orthodox hard bop is a stupid slander.

There's some great Coltrane stuff on Prestige, "Settin' The Pace" (with a ridiculous Trane solo on "Little Melonae", and some great work by Red Garland), "Lush Life", with a lovely Milesish statement of "Like Someone in Love" and some brilliant drum performances from Art Taylor, particularly on "I Love You".

And this album is a nice one too, the opener is beautifully orchestrated, reminding me of some of Dolphy's orchestrations on the "Far Cry" album with Booker Little. "Straight Street", a tune with some nicely executed metrical chopping and a head doubled by Trane and Johnny Splawn swings like a bastard. And with Mal Waldron and Paul Chambers in tow, you can't go wrong.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Coltrane in swinging, hard-bopping mode, April 27, 2008

By 

G B (Connecticut) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Coltrane (Prestige 7105) (Audio CD)

John Coltrane recorded so frequently for the Prestige label during '56-'58 that it's tough to figure out where to start. This May 1957 recording, coming just after his departure from the Miles Davis Quintet, is a pretty good initiation; it doesn't reach the heights of Blue Train (the indisputable classic from Trane's early period, recorded for Blue Note) but is still a great session of hard bop with plenty of Coltrane's powerful, intense playing. The album's peaks are two ballads ("Violets for Your Furs", "While My Lady Sleeps" -- Coltrane was already an incredible ballad player by this time) and the tense "Bakai". The other tracks are all prime hard bop. My only real complaint is about the rest of the players: the rhythm section (Mal Waldron and Red Garland on piano, Paul Chambers on bass, Al Heath on drums) is excellent, but Johnny Splawn (trumpet) and Sahib Shihab (baritone sax) pale in comparison to some of the other horn players Coltrane recorded with around this time. Nevertheless, First Trane is a great purchase for any Coltrane fan; the 20 bit remaster by Fantasy has crystal clear sound. One final note: this album is actually titled "Coltrane" on the CD. There's another (excellent) album of the same name which John Coltrane recorded in 1962 for the Impulse! label in a very different style. Be aware which one you are buying.

[This review is based on the K2 20-bit remaster, which if other comparisons offer any guide, has superior sound quality to the OJC version issued in 1991.]

5.0 out of 5 stars Dakar.... yet not, June 29, 2011

By 

Jay Brown "musicologist" (WATERBURY, CT, US) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Coltrane (Prestige 7105) (Audio CD)

This record was originally called "Daktari", or something similar,as I recall. It is,in many respects,reminscent of Trane's "Dakar". Here,Trane substituted one baritone(Sahib Shihab)and one trumpet(Johnnie Splawn)for the 2 baritones on "Dakar". Anyway,here it is: "Bakai" opens the set and is very close to "Dakar", themewise,with Shihab laying down an afro-centric beat; Trane and Splawn harmonizing over it. Red Garland slides off a cool,swinging,mood-changing opening solo. Trane solos next,sounding very serious;driving moderately. Shihab's solo comes off a bit blustery,containing slight elements of BS, before the close. "Violets For Your Furs" is a ballard. A premier ballardeer, Trane handles the theme. Red gives off a beautiful solo, followed by Trane's warm,sincere expressions. The other horns are not heard. "Time Was" is typical John Coltrane, coming out swinging. An up-tempo track, Trane blows that 'good stuff' so very well. He doesn't do a lot running,here; just cookin'. Paul Chambers and Al Heath keep Red's solo swinging. Paul lays down a pretty sharp solo of his own, before Trane closes. Good track. "Straight Street" is a sharp ol' medium-tempo jam that brings back the rest of the horns. Trane solos first,at ease and steadily flowing. Splawn is next. Johnnie is like too many good trumeters....underrated. His solo,here,swings with know-how and experience. The man is GOOD! Paul and Trane lay down the mood for the hauntingly,bewitching "While My Lady Sleeps", a super-laid-back MONSTER that Trane keeps under rein with the help of Mal Walron. Excellent song choice. "Chronic Blues" is just that...the blues. A brief theme and Shihab leads off. His solo's not bad, once he relaxes. Trane and the blues are a very confortable combination, and with Mal behind him, the sky's the limit. Splawn's solo is strictly top-shelf. Mal Waldron's sense of humor must be experienced,which is why his work is so great. All in all,this is a most enjoyable set,by any name. I'm glad it's back in print.