This recording is truly a blessing for those that listen to jazz for the moments of unique relaxation and bliss it can produce when played with beautiful tone and simplicity. Let me not be misunderstood I appreciate a lot the more abstract and intense efforts that can be found in more ground-breaking records than this and sometimes in live jazz concerts, but as history may have it this is the most relaxed, and "simple" session Coltrane has probably ever produced.And the timing he picked to record it is truly ideal, since at 1962 and with his continuous efforts to insert new influences, ideas, and techniques to the jazz scene some even said that Coltrane could only play avant-garde or anti-jazz as they called it and had lost it. And to record this fantastic record at a point that all these were heard and even Trane felt that his playing had begun to change more drastically, is like a blessing. Both fans of the new thing as well as more traditional jazz fans loved this and after listening to it for some time I can see why. My only two complaints as far as this recording is concerned are that it only lasts 32 minutes and that it consisted of a step backwards in Coltrane's evolution.On second thought it was just a break for the quartet to catch it's breath. Every track is a gem but especially "I wish I knew", and "All or Nothing at all" are outstanding with both Trane and McCoy Tyner giving a magical performance.This is such a great set (even with the flaws I mentioned) that my heart tells me to give it 5 stars and reason tells me to give it 4 stars, but we should not listen to music just with logic in mind so, 5 stars it is. |
