JOHN COLTRANE – My Favorite Things
(The Stereo and Mono versions)
Green Corner - Double CD 100895
John Coltrane – Tenor/Soprano Sax; McCoy Tyner – piano; Steve Davis – bass, Elvin Jones – Drums
‘My favourite things’ was John Coltrane’s third album for Atlantic records. It was recorded in 1960 and released in 1961 following on from Giant Steps (1960) and Coltrane Jazz (1961). In many ways, this is an essential Coltrane album. Although it features none of his original compositions, it is a wonderful album that brought Coltrane a new popularity and saw a shift in his playing from bebop to modal Jazz. It’s a piece of history and an important herald of things to come. It’s one of Coltrane’s best selling albums, and it’s a remarkable suite of music.
‘Favorite Things’ is the first of Coltrane’s albums to feature McCoy Tyner on piano along with the rhythm section of Steve Davis and Elvin Jones. There’s little I can say about this album that hasn’t already been said. The album contains 4 re-workings of popular songs of the day: ‘My favorite things’, ‘Everytime we say goodbye’, ‘Summertime’ and ‘But not for me’.
Coltrane plays soprano sax on side 1, and tenor on side 2. The soprano sax had been a new development for Coltrane after being gifted a sax by Miles Davies. It sounds great in his hands, and became an increasingly popular instrument as a direct result of this album. ‘My favorite things’ is the standout track. Extended over 13:44 mins, Coltrane is set loose and flies over E minor and E major comping by the band.
‘Summertime’ is a fascinating contrast to Miles Davis’ version on ‘Porgy and Bess’. Coltrane’s version jumps and bounces along in a way that is unrecognisable to those more used to the sedate and lovely Davis’ version.
This double CD reissue includes both the stereo and mono versions. More usefully, disc one also contains a studio session with the same 4 musicians recorded in 1960. This time, we do hear Coltrane originals ‘One and four’, ‘Exotica’ and ‘Like Sonny’. The band are clearly at the height of their powers and these tracks are worth the price of the CD on their own.
On CD 2 we hear 3 live tracks from the Newport festival in 1961. The sound quality is not fantastic, but it’s a pleasure to hear the band at this time: the inchoate avant-garde tendencies of Coltrane’s later music are just beginning to creep in. The band features two bass players, and the musicians launch into their first track with such gusto that it sounds like that band are struggling to keep up with the chaotic but brilliant force of nature that Coltrane has become.
Reviewed by Christian Stretton
(The Stereo and Mono versions)
Green Corner - Double CD 100895
John Coltrane – Tenor/Soprano Sax; McCoy Tyner – piano; Steve Davis – bass, Elvin Jones – Drums
‘My favourite things’ was John Coltrane’s third album for Atlantic records. It was recorded in 1960 and released in 1961 following on from Giant Steps (1960) and Coltrane Jazz (1961). In many ways, this is an essential Coltrane album. Although it features none of his original compositions, it is a wonderful album that brought Coltrane a new popularity and saw a shift in his playing from bebop to modal Jazz. It’s a piece of history and an important herald of things to come. It’s one of Coltrane’s best selling albums, and it’s a remarkable suite of music.
‘Favorite Things’ is the first of Coltrane’s albums to feature McCoy Tyner on piano along with the rhythm section of Steve Davis and Elvin Jones. There’s little I can say about this album that hasn’t already been said. The album contains 4 re-workings of popular songs of the day: ‘My favorite things’, ‘Everytime we say goodbye’, ‘Summertime’ and ‘But not for me’.
Coltrane plays soprano sax on side 1, and tenor on side 2. The soprano sax had been a new development for Coltrane after being gifted a sax by Miles Davies. It sounds great in his hands, and became an increasingly popular instrument as a direct result of this album. ‘My favorite things’ is the standout track. Extended over 13:44 mins, Coltrane is set loose and flies over E minor and E major comping by the band.
‘Summertime’ is a fascinating contrast to Miles Davis’ version on ‘Porgy and Bess’. Coltrane’s version jumps and bounces along in a way that is unrecognisable to those more used to the sedate and lovely Davis’ version.
This double CD reissue includes both the stereo and mono versions. More usefully, disc one also contains a studio session with the same 4 musicians recorded in 1960. This time, we do hear Coltrane originals ‘One and four’, ‘Exotica’ and ‘Like Sonny’. The band are clearly at the height of their powers and these tracks are worth the price of the CD on their own.
On CD 2 we hear 3 live tracks from the Newport festival in 1961. The sound quality is not fantastic, but it’s a pleasure to hear the band at this time: the inchoate avant-garde tendencies of Coltrane’s later music are just beginning to creep in. The band features two bass players, and the musicians launch into their first track with such gusto that it sounds like that band are struggling to keep up with the chaotic but brilliant force of nature that Coltrane has become.
Reviewed by Christian Stretton
