John Coltrane's first major album as a band leader is also one is he finest. "Blue Train" was recorded in 1957 with a sextet of the most elite musicians of the time including trumpet legend Lee Morgan, Miles Davis vet Paul Chambers on bass, Kenny Drew on piano, Curtis Fuller on trombone, Philly Jones on drums, and of course the legendary Trane himself blowing on tenor sax.
The album jumps out hot right away with "Blue Train," entering with the most memorable riff on the whole album. Coltrane and Morgan harmonize as the piano enters with lightly plucked chords. Then Coltrane hits a solo as the piano, bass, and drums follow him up and down the scales. Coltrane is starting to find his voice onthis album, he keeps the fast pace Charlie Parker and Dizzy Gillespie played back in the beep bop days, but his horn is also starting to shriek and place more emphasis on key notes. His solos throughout the album are as well-built and alert as anybody in jazz history.
The rythum section is good but the horns are what makes the album a classic. Fuller has an excellent trombone solo in "Locomotion," and Morgan's trumpet contrasting with Coltrane is the backbone of the album.
The album is primarily fast paced but takes a slow turn with Johnny Mercer's "I'm Old Fashioned." In this tune, Coltrane's horn shoots out colors of emotion and proves himself as a once in a lifetime talent. His horn has an undeniably powerful sound this album is a sign of great things to come. Coltrane will eventually help progress jazz to other styles like avant-garde and modal jazz and produce many more albums including other classics such as Giant Steps, My Favorite Things, Impressions, and of course A Love Supreme.
No comments:
Post a Comment