John Coltrane

John Coltrane was one of the most revolutionary tenor saxophonists in jazz history. However, in addition to his experimental playing, Coltrane was also a superb ballad stylist, capable of creating a very personal and intimate sound. This CD compiles some of Trane’s best recordings ofballads and standard love songs, covering the period from 1957 to 1962 (but expressly excluding any track from his celebrated Impulse album Ballads). Backing him are other jazz greats like trumpeter Donald Byrd, pianists Red Garland, Wynton Kelly, Mal Waldron, and McCoy Tyner, bassist Paul Chambers, and drummers Art Taylor, and Elvin Jones.

PERSONNEL:

JOHN COLTRANE, tenor sax, on all tracks, with:

ON TRACK 1: McCoy Tyner (p), Jimmy Garrison (b), Elvin Jones (d).
Englewood Cliffs, New Jersey, June 19, 1962.

ON TRACK 2: Kenny Burrell (g).
Hackensack, New Jersey, March 7, 1958.

ON TRACKs 3 & 5: Earl May (b), Art Taylor (d).
Hackensack, New Jersey, August 16, 1957.

ON TRACK 4: Tadd Dameron (p), John Simmons (b), Philly Joe Jones (d).
New York, November 30, 1956.

ON TRACK 6: Bill Hardman (tp), Jackie McLean (as), Mal Waldron (p),
Julian Euell (b), Art Taylor (d).
Hackensack, New Jersey, April 19, 1957.

ON TRACK 7: Donald Byrd (tp), Red Garland (p), Jamil Nasser (b), Art Taylor (d).
Hackensack, New Jersey, November 15, 1957.

ON TRACK 8: Red Garland (p), Paul Chambers (b), Art Taylor (d).
Hackensack, New Jersey, August 23, 1957.

ON TRACK 9: Johnny Splawn (tp), Mal Waldron (p), Paul Chambers (b)
lbert “Tootie” Heath (d).
Hackensack, New Jersey, May 31, 1957.

ON TRACKS 10 & 13: Red Garland (p), Paul Chambers (b), Art Taylor (d).
Hackensack, New Jersey, February 7, 1958.

ON TRACK 11: Wynton Kelly (p), Paul Chambers (b), Jimmy Cobb (d).
Chicago, February 3, 1959.

ON TRACK 12: Wynton Kelly (p), Paul Chambers (b), Jimmy Cobb (d).
New York, November 24, 1959.

TRACKS:

01.SOUL EYES
02 WHY WAS I BORN?
03 I LOVE YOU
04 ON A MISTY NIGHT
05 LIKE SOMEONE IN LOVE
06 DON’T EXPLAIN
07 WHAT IS THERE TO SAY?
08 SLOW DANCE
09 WHILE MY LADY SLEEPS
10 THEME FOR ERNIE
11 YOU’RE A WEAVER OF DREAMS
12 I’LL WAIT AND PRAY
13 I WANT TO TALK ABOUT YOU

Total Time: 74:12