Gentle Side of John Coltrane

John Coltrane, Robben Ford | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (October 15, 1991)
• Original Release Date: 1991
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Grp Records
• ASIN: B000003N66
• Also Available in: Audio CD  |  Audio Cassette  |  Vinyl  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (24 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #13,670 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

21 of 22 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars My favorite Coltrane recording, April 7, 2004

By 

Campbell Roark "tri-zeta" (from under the floorboards and through the woods...) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Gentle Side of John Coltrane (Audio CD)

An apology- I'm not a jazz purist but I know what I love. Coltrane tends to loose me easily- I just never 'got' Blue Train or many of his more out there albums. Sue me but I can't follow them. I'm not impressed by the 'sheats of sound,' delivery which was ascribed to him by music journalists and jazz-nerds as 'his trademark sound.'

For me, this is Coltrane's trademark sound; because this transcends jazz. He handles these tunes so deftly you'd think he wrote them or dreamt them. His skillful improvisations slip from anguish to ecstasy in seconds and his playing dances across the range of human expression effortlessly. Coltrane demonstrates that a handful of well-chosen notes played with soul-crushing intensity can be just as (if not more) inspiring and illuminating than blasting away hundreds of notes... with no spirit to ignite and guide one's delivery.

If you know someone who, 'just doesn't like jazz' this is one of the albums that may just cause them to re-orient their perspective.

On this remarkable little CD you get a number of selections from Coltrane's "Ballads," album as well as two songs with the ever-sonorous Johnny Hartman's understated vocals. I recommend both albums (B000003N7I and B000003N7K, respectively) without reservation.

After the Rain (Coltrane covers Nelson?), Soul Eyes, Nancy With the Laughing Face, and In a Sentimental Mood are some personal favorites, but the album is simpy a treasure trove of sublimely played gems. This album works for writing, reading, staring over a candle lit dinner at that special somebody, lifting, running, chess-playing, everything except jumping rope (then agin, I haven't really tried...)

And for all you diggers and beat-makers out there- every second of this album is a sample looking to happen.

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Compilation Worth Buying, November 12, 2001

By 

Venice 323 (Los Angeles, CA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Gentle Side of John Coltrane (Audio CD)

Jazz for many is an intimidating genre of music and thus seems inaccessible. Unfortunately, this has also bread a slew of pretentious "connoisseurs" of jazz who quickly poo poo the idea that jazz can be a simple, beautiful yet profound experience. For such an experience, especially if you are a newcomer to this great world of jazz, buy this album.

John Coltrane's music, like the man, was always evolving and changing. However, this collection of his work demonstrates the sheer elegance with which he practiced his art.

Except for the swing era, jazz never became popular music. However, many of us are drawn to it because of its mystery and depth. If this is your first dive into this wonderful and invigorating abyss, buy this album. Then once you are fully immersed in the richness of Coltrane, get "Crescent" and move on to "Giant Steps." This gradual progression will convince you that you have made the right move. More importantly, it will make you realize what treasures are still to be found in this wonderful world of ours. This album makes that effort a bit more accessible.

15 of 17 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars 4 ½* Gratifying, But a LittleToo Gentle, April 14, 2001

By 

M. Allen Greenbaum (California) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Gentle Side of John Coltrane (Audio CD)

Coltrane sounds wonderful here, and it's undoubtedly one of his most accessible works. That said, however, it's also somewhat less challenging and interesting than other CDS. For example, I much prefer the similar Coltrane/Johnny Hartman disc, where Coltrane's soulful sax is accompanied with near perfection by vocalist Hartman--it's one of the best jazz vocal albums ever made.

Still, for relaxing and romantic straightforward jazz, this is hard to top. Coltrane achieves a marvelous, emotive sound, and his limber fingerings and creative reworking of these selections are the work of a master. Some may call this Coltrane-light, but if you want great songs interpreted with ease, fluidity, and imagination, this relaxing, mellow CD will be your cup of Trane.