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 - A Coltrane EssentialBlue Note released a slew of these "blowing sessions" in it's heyday, but what makes this one unique is that it's John Coltrane's one and only recording for the label. Blue Train finds 'Trane leading a sextet as opposed to his familiar later work in the quartet format. The Miles Davis rhythm section of Paul Chambers and "Philly" Joe Jones is joined by trombonist Curtis Fuller, blues influenced pianist Kenny Drew and the outstanding trumpet player Lee Morgan. The set kicks off with the familiar "Blue Train" one of Coltrane's most memorable themes. The band chugs along to the fast blues while everybody but Jones solos, with Drew and the horn players getting plenty of room to stretch out. "Moment's Notice" makes it clear that this is the kind of session where just about everybody is going to solo on each cut. This track is happy and upbeat after the bluesy opener. To me it has an almost New Orleans-y vibe especially in Lee's solo. "Locomotion" is an uptempo blues with nice use of some unison horn riffing and more fine soloing all around in hard bop mode. "I'm Old Fashioned" is the only standard in the set and the only ballad, a a style Coltrane handles with his usual authority. "Lazy Bird" brings things to a close as the band barely touches on the theme, seeming as though they can't wait to take off on the round of solos. It's the perfect summation of the free-blowing mood of the record. Any jazz collection, any Blue Note collection, any Coltrane collection...heck any music collection should include Blue Train. Rating: - I'm guilty!I'm sorry. It's 5 stars again!. I couldn't do less with this one. This is only apt for cheering you up!. Loads of swing and power. Difficult to find a better hard-bop music example. So don't waste your time and have this one!. First reason and above all, we're talking about Coltrane here. 'Hello?'. Yes. In the same league with the 3 monsters of Jazz: Miles Davis, Charles Mingus and Duke Ellington. And the next on my list is probably Coltrane. But he's not alone in here: Curtis Fuller ('oh my gosh!') and Lee Morgan. 'Oh!. We keep talking, man!'. Those two lads have been essential in the spread of hard-bop everywhere ('Art Blakey?; Jazz Messengers?; sounds something to you?'). And they're all very young here starting their promising careers. Now they belong to the great legacy of music. With the Gods of Jazz. But there's even more in "Blue Train"!. Mr. PC on the bass using the bow quite often. Kenny Drew on piano; doing wonders. And Philly Joe Jones in one of his best performances. 'But yes!. I'm guilty. I'm an old-fashioned regarding jazz'. I don't trade a classic for anything. And "Blue Train" is truly a classic. I don't have a job in Amazon or something like that. And I don't get any money from them for just writing 5 star reviews ('Just my luck!') but you're silly if you don't buy this one. Or just a lazy bird like I am. Get in locomotion!. You can fly on a blue train!. I did. Rating: - Don't underestimate this oneJohn Coltrane's musical evolution was at a pivotal point when this recording was made. This music is more accessible and grounded in hard bop than what was to come and yet there are moments included of absolute brilliance. Coltrane and the group assembled for this session created something of lasting value. Lee Morgan is incredible and Kenny Drew can wander in and out of the blues smoothly as anyone. This is a fine CD that should not be missed. Coltrane was on his way to creating some musical masterpieces and this may not be on the same plane as some of his later more experimental recordings but it is nonetheless a significant and important record that belongs in your collection. Rating: - A definite essential in anybody's jazz collectionJust the way every single one of these artists came together and made such magnificent music is amazing. Here you have 6 of the finest players in jazz ever, pianist Kenny Drew, bassist Paul Chambers, drummer Philly Joe Jones, trumpeter Lee Morgan, trombonist Curtis Fuller, and of course John Coltrane, that came together, under the leadership of Coltrane, to play. The result is one of the finest sessions ever in the history of jazz. The soloes from every single artist are just superb. Lee Morgan's soloes, who was only 19 when he performed on this album, on Lazy Bird is just a sample of what was to come from one of the finest trumpeters in jazz, and, being one of his very first albums as a leader, shows the genius and the strength of what was to come from one of the biggest legends in jazz ever, a pure genius, John Coltrane. If you are familiar with John Coltrane but not familiar with this certain album you should check it out. This is truely a masterpiece. Rating: - A definite essential in anybody's jazz collectionJust the way every single one of these artists came together and made such magnificent music is amazing. Here you have 6 of the finest players in jazz ever, pianist Kenny Drew, bassist Paul Chambers, drummer Philly Joe Jones, trumpeter Lee Morgan, trombonist Curtis Fuller, and of course John Coltrane, that came together, under the leadership of Coltrane, to play. The result is one of the finest sessions ever in the history of jazz. The soloes from every single artist are just superb. Lee Morgan's soloes, who was only 19 when he performed on this album, on Lazy Bird is just a sample of what was to come from one of the finest trumpeters in jazz, and, being one of his very first albums as a leader, shows the genius and the strength of what was to come from one of the biggest legends in jazz ever, a pure genius, John Coltrane.
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