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21 of 21 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
A must-have for Coltrane fans, May 28, 2000
This is a rare glimpse of Coltrane's quartet performing on television, and it is a very special glimpse, not only because it is rare, but because the musicians look relaxed and in their element, performing brilliantly. This was originally shown on the half-hour public television series, "Jazz Casual," hosted by the music critic Ralph Gleason. The only interference was the time limit of the show, otherwise Gleason's respect for the music and the musicians dictated that he give them complete artistic control. Even the stage was left uncluttered, without any distracting fancy backdrop. Coltrane's genius, and the genius of the whole quartet shines through. Thanks to his son Toby Gleason, these vault treasures are now available for all to see. It's hard to imagine any television show today having such an unhurried and unadorned look and feel to it. This show, and all the Jazz Casual shows released on video are very much worth having.
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8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Coltrane! Enough said!, February 16, 2005
This review is from: Ralph Gleason's Jazz Casual - John Coltrane (DVD)
As I understand it, Coltrane could have taken some time to be interviewd. While I'd have loved to hear what he had to say, I am giving this five stars. With all three selections, he is clearly conscious of the time constraints; yet the artistry is not in any way compromised. Impressions was great, especially with the duet between Trane and Elvin Jones. I've always loved Afro Blue; and he plays it beautifully. And Alabama makes you feel the pain that inspired the song; the reaction to the bombing of a black church in Alabama. One is especially touched by the look on Jone's face at the end of the song while Coltrane is making his statement. What words exist that could describe the experience of listening to Coltrane, or watching him as he created his masterworks? His music is one of humanity's greatest treasures.
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9 of 10 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Great Video!!!!!!!!!!!!, April 3, 2004
This review is from: Ralph Gleason's Jazz Casual - John Coltrane (DVD)
When I first watched this, i was far from dissapointed. The opening track Afro Blue is a great swining song on the recording, to see it preformed by this wonderful group was absolutely fabulous. The group gets into some heavy improvisations, and you can see the host Ralph J Gleason's face bright up with astonishment from the solos. As on the other Jazz Casual videos the artist talks with Gleason, here Mr Gleason just gives a "jazz in a nutshell" introduction, before the group swings on Coltrane's own composition, Alabama. I think you can see Trane's wife in the backround sitting on a chair watching off stage. Alabama's dark gloomy intro is great. Last is Impressions, Trane's famous tune. Bassist Jimmy Garrison takes a monster solo, before Trane and Elvin Jones solo off eachother without garrison or pianist McCoy Tyner. This was a fabulous video. I just finished watching it for about the hundred time. It still shocks and amazes me every time. If your into Trane's other Avant Garde preformances, you absolutely can't go wron with this digital video disk!
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