Sun Ship

McCoy Tyner, John Coltrane, Elvin Jones, Jimmy Garrison

Product Details

• Audio CD (October 10, 1995)
• Original Release Date: August 26, 1965
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Grp Records
• ASIN: B000003N7T
• In-Print Editions: Vinyl  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars See all reviews (20 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #97,767 in Music (See Bestsellers in Music)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

23 of 23 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Sun Ship, headed straight for the molten core, July 8, 2001

By	G B (Connecticut) - See all my reviews

Sun Ship is one of my favorite "late" Coltrane albums; this was among the last recordings made by the Classic Quartet, and strikes just the perfect balance between the burning intensity and expressionism of Ascension and the modality of earlier recordings. Coltrane's mastery over the tenor saxophone is complete here, screaming and honking with ferocity as the thundering rhythm section of Tyner and Jones pushes him forward and upward on "Sun Ship" (the agitated, tense theme of this tune is awesome) and "Amen". The prayer-like ballads, "Attaining" and "Dearly Beloved", are just as volcanic. And the closer, "Ascent", features a lengthy (but not over-long) bass solo which sets up Coltrane's entrance perfectly as he proceeds to launch into the stratosphere. This is heady music, and not for the faint at heart; but those who like A Love Supreme will find a lot of touchstones here, and some of the other factors that turn people off from late Coltrane (Pharaoh Sanders, the horn dialogues) are absent. There's just the classic four here, taking the Quartet format as far as it will go. This and the John Coltrane Quartet Plays are perfect intros to this period in Trane's music. Absolutely essential to any Coltrane collection!

13 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Coltrane's Tribute , August 19, 2005

By	Heavy Theta (Lorton, Va United States) - See all my reviews

This album is often described as transitional, as Coltrane moved from the classic quartet to the undiluted energy music of his final phase. But it's title gives away another important aspect of these sessions. John Coltrane's was hugely influenced by John Gilmore, and even took lessons from the less celebrated virtuoso just as he was setting up the quartet. Gilmore spent his career with Sun Ra, and '65-'66 was the height of the Arkestra's awesome power. It was the time of Gilmore's most adventurous solos, making sounds that only the brilliant Coltrane could hope to emulate. It would not be the first time that Coltrane managed to harness his influences into a uniquely successful vehicle.

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Coltrane at his most powerful, December 26, 2004

By	hedged (NY United States) - See all my reviews

Although "A Love Supreme" is generally regarded as Coltrane's most emotional album, "Sun Ship" tops it in intensity and passion. The music is volatile, from lush McCoy Tyner passages and Coltrane themes, to Elvin Jones's furious percussion and Coltrane's atonal improvisation. Coltrane's solos on the title track and "Amen" are guaranteed to give you goosebumps, if you "get" his later stuff.