Tell me about Coltrane

[Marley23]

@twickster

yourself – I can’t believe I had to email you to tell you about this thread!

I actually did see the thread before I saw your e-mail. Not too inundate you with recommendations, but some other people are on the ball here. Derek is a big Wayne Shorter fan, they’ve covered some of his stuff. They used to gig a song named for Elvin Jones, too.

[WordMan]

@twickster

I saw Derek Trucks last night, and it was phenomenal. They closed the show with a nice, long, wonderful jam on “My Favorite Things,” and the last time I saw them they did “Afro Blue.” So, obviously DT is listening to a lot of Coltrane – and if it’s good enough for DT, it’s good enough for me.

Dunno much about Coltrane, though – grabbed my copy of My Favorite Things to listen to on my way to work this morning (they didn’t need to add the two alternate takes to the CD reissue – but I digress), and of course I’ve got A Love Supreme – where do I go from there?

Just a quick note to say that 'trane’s stuff seems to have a reasonably clear arc -

1. his sideman work - straight jazz, with his angular solos a hint at what’s to come (I still get a kick hearing him juxtaposed with Cannonball Adderly - same basic instrument; completely different approaches)
2. Blue Train - more straight up jazz
3. My Favorite Things - starting to head out - solos taking more chances
   …
4. Giant Steps - pretty far out - not Ornette Coleman “Free” - but definitely out there - the type of music than makes jazz noob’s look at me and say “see? I told you it was weird”

With A Love Supreme somehow wrapping it all up. So, twickster, it really depends what you want to focus on - the Miles stuff you mention is closer to Giant Steps than it is his sideman work…

If you want to explore a bit more “out there” type stuff, you might try Eric Dolphy - the guys’ a monster player…and not afraid to head out there…

[twickster]

They sent us home early from work today, so I was able to swing by the library on my way home – picked up John Coltrane: Standards and The Best of Miles Davis & John Coltrane (1955-1961) and they’ve been loaded into the home player.

Again, thanks all for the info and advice!

[NicePete]

Hey! Watch me tapdance about architecture!

[twickster]

Update: Been listening quite a bit. I now “get” Kind of Blue way more than I did a couple of years ago, which is the last time I listened to it. Also listening to Giant Steps, which I like but don’t love. Coltrane’s Standards is pretty good – but the one I’ve fallen madly in love with is Best of Miles Davis and John Coltrane – their “Bye Bye Blackbird” has become a delightful earworm.

Again, many thanks to all for your recommendations – I’ll continue working my way through the list.

[Zebra]

I saw Coltrane once at the Wichita Jazz Festival. I was in the front row, it was about 2 am and I had been there since 11 am. I got Count Basie’s autograph earlier that day as well.
Seeing Coltrane made me feel like Moses talking to the burning bush.

[Biffy_the_Elephant_Shrew]

@Zebra

I saw Coltrane once at the Wichita Jazz Festival. I was in the front row, it was about 2 am and I had been there since 11 am. I got Count Basie’s autograph earlier that day as well.

<kowtowing>
I am not worthy!
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