The Gentle Side of John Coltrane

Editorial Reviews
Amazon.com
In the early '60s, John Coltrane was pressing the expressive edge of jazz, playing solos of daunting length, astonishing speed, and blistering intensity. But while his more exploratory work fueled controversy, the saxophonist had also matured into one of the finest practitioners of the jazz ballad, as great a lyric player as Ben Webster or Miles Davis and possessing a beautiful sound, a kind of unknown precious metal that remains distinctive after decades of imitation. He often included ballads in LPs of more daunting material, and he also devoted three LPs to his gentler side, Ballads and collaborations with singer Johnny Hartman and Duke Ellington. This CD compiles both Coltrane's versions of standards and a selection of his own gentler compositions, creating a series of slower-tempo masterpieces that range from the serene to the pensive. As well as highlights from those three LPs, there is also the superb rendition of Mal Waldron's "Soul Eyes," a jazz standard, and Coltrane's own "Wise One," "After the Rain," and the somber "Alabama," melodies of almost unearthly beauty. The version of Billy Eckstine's "I Want to Talk About You," taken from a live recording at Birdland, possesses an unaccompanied tenor cadenza that stands as one of the most remarkable technical feats in jazz history. The version of "In a Sentimental Mood," with Ellington at the piano, is simply as beautiful as any recording ever made. So good is the selection that dedicated Coltrane fans who own the material in other forms may want to acquire it.--Stuart Broomer

The Gentle Side of John Coltrane, Music, John Coltrane, Jazz, Jazz Music, Pop, Post-Bop, Standards

Average customer rating:

trane delivers

A Sumptuous Expression Of Fine Jazz Music

With soft 'trane, you don't need smooth jazz, ever

Trying to understand Jazz

Romantic and Relaxing

The Gentle Side of John Coltrane
John Coltrane
Manufacturer: Grp Records
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Bebop General | Bebop | Jazz | Styles | Music
General | Jazz | Styles | Music
Modern Postbebop | Jazz | Styles | Music
Traditional Vocal Pop | Broadway & Vocalists | Styles | Music
GRP | Verve Music Group | Specialty Stores | Music
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Ballads

Coltrane for Lovers

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John Coltrane & Johnny Hartman

ASIN: B000003N66
Release Date: 1991-10-15

Tracks:

Soul Eyes
What's New
Welcome
Nancy (With The Laughing Face)
My Little Brown Book
Wise One
Lush Life
Alabama
My One And Only Love
After The Rain
In A Sentimental Mood
Dear Lord
I Want To Talk About You

Amazon.com

In the early '60s, John Coltrane was pressing the expressive edge of jazz, playing solos of daunting length, astonishing speed, and blistering intensity. But while his more exploratory work fueled controversy, the saxophonist had also matured into one of the finest practitioners of the jazz ballad, as great a lyric player as Ben Webster or Miles Davis and possessing a beautiful sound, a kind of unknown precious metal that remains distinctive after decades of imitation. He often included ballads in LPs of more daunting material, and he also devoted three LPs to his gentler side, Ballads and collaborations with singer Johnny Hartman and Duke Ellington. This CD compiles both Coltrane's versions of standards and a selection of his own gentler compositions, creating a series of slower-tempo masterpieces that range from the serene to the pensive. As well as highlights from those three LPs, there is also the superb rendition of Mal Waldron's "Soul Eyes," a jazz standard, and Coltrane's own "Wise One," "After the Rain," and the somber "Alabama," melodies of almost unearthly beauty. The version of Billy Eckstine's "I Want to Talk About You," taken from a live recording at Birdland, possesses an unaccompanied tenor cadenza that stands as one of the most remarkable technical feats in jazz history. The version of "In a Sentimental Mood," with Ellington at the piano, is simply as beautiful as any recording ever made. So good is the selection that dedicated Coltrane fans who own the material in other forms may want to acquire it.--Stuart Broomer

Customer Reviews:

trane delivers.......2007-05-20

In my opinion this CD contains some of the finest jazz ever recorded. This material also features Coltrane's finest band. The interplay between the musicians is phenomenal. They are so good they can drop the concept of a syncopated rhythm and still function as a tight and cohesive unit. Coltrane's playing has more feeling than any horn player I have ever heard. To me he is greatest of all sax players, including Dexter, Lester, Coleman et al. That's a big statement, but one listen through this CD will reveal it to be true.

A Sumptuous Expression Of Fine Jazz Music.......2007-03-22

"The beauty and the spirit of John Coltrane will forever live in the souls of those whom he had touched with his music. He was, first of all, a fallible human being. Secondly, he possessed a great talent, not a gift, but a talent. I stress the difference because no one worked harder at perfecting his art and his mind and his aesthetic sense thru the years than John Coltrane." ~ Michael Cuscuna ~

I received an e-mail from a good friend of mine asking me: "What's in your CD player now?" And it turned out that we both have John Coltrane's CDs in our respective CD changers. I have two - this CD, "The Gentle Side of Coltrane" and "My Favorite Things" while he has "A Love Supreme." These albums are amongst the countless jazz albums we shared an admiration for.

This is without a doubt one of the greatest albums ever produced in the history of jazz. My appreciation to Mr. Coltrane for his incredible talent on this recording extends to his fellow musicians McCoy Tyner and Duke Ellington (piano), Jimmy Garrison and Aaron Bell (bass), Elvin Jones, Sam Woodward and Roy Haynes (drums), and the silky and smooth vocals of Johnny Hartman on "Lush Life" and "My One And Only Love," two of my all-time favorite songs.

Mr. Coltrane's genius lends elegance and pristine smoothness to the gorgeous music of Billy Strayhorn, Mellin and Wood, Haggart and Burke, Jimmy Van Heusen, Billy Eckstine and Mal Waldron. His very own compositions "Wise One," "Alabama," "After The Rain" and "Dear Lord" showcase his great talent as a composer.

"My One And Only Love" is as enchanting and magical as the moonlight. "In A Sentimental Mood" is as sparkling and dazzling as a summer sunset. "What's New?" is as warm and brilliant as the sunlight. "Lush Life" is as lovely and smooth as the petals of a pink rose. So wrap yourself in the enjoyment of listening to exquisitely beautiful jazz music as performed by a great saxophonist, John Coltrane, in his most gentle moments.

To sum it up . . . this album is a sumptuous expression of fine jazz music.

Wholeheartedly recommended for your listening pleasure of a lifetime!

With soft 'trane, you don't need smooth jazz, ever.......2007-02-26

this is a very accessible Coltrane CD for the uninitiated, even including selections from post-A Love Supreme albums. fantastic songs with Johnny Hartman, Duke Ellington, and members of his quartet.

Trying to understand Jazz.......2007-01-09

I am a rocker who generally finds Jazz difficult to listen to, yet I have heard so much about Coltrane I had to try it out. His playing has real soul, a lot like my favorite Blues players and is very relaxing. So much of Jazz is improv and he shows that side as well, and would recommend this to other reluctant Jazz newbies. It is very nice and not grating ( ala Kenny G, Miles Davis, etc.)

Romantic and Relaxing.......2006-02-20

This is a great collection of songs--perfect for that unwinding time at the end of a day's work.

Average customer rating:

The Gentle Side of John Coltrane
John Coltrane
Manufacturer: Grp Records
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Bebop General | Bebop | Jazz | Styles | Music

General | Jazz | Styles | Music

Modern Postbebop | Jazz | Styles | Music

Traditional Vocal Pop | Broadway & Vocalists | Styles | Music

GRP | Verve Music Group | Specialty Stores | Music
ASIN: B000008N26
Release Date: 1994-07-19

Tracks:

Soul Eyes
What's New?
Welcome
Nancy (With the Laughing Face)
My Little Brown Book
Wise One
Lush Life
Alabama
My One and Only Love
After the Rain
In a Sentimental Mood
Dear Lord
I Want to Talk About You

Music:

Music

Music