JOHN COLTRANE QUARTET - The 1962 Graz Concert Complete Edition
‘In’ Crowd 996693
John Coltrane tenor and soprano saxophones; McCoy Tyner piano; Jimmy Garrison bass; Elvin Jones drums
Recorded 28 November 1962 Graz Austria
A year after he toured Europe with Eric Dolphy in the group, Coltrane was back in Europe with what is now described as his classic quartet. He was also playing his classic repertoire with the exception of ‘Autumn Leaves’. Apparently, this is the only known recording of the group playing this piece. The rest is the mixture of standards and originals that the quartet played at this time.
In 1962 the quartet played across the continent, recorded by broadcasting companies at every concert. The bootlegs of that tour document the triumphant progress of this important group that still influences jazz musicians fifty years on. The quality of the recordings vary but this one in Graz is acceptable. It favours Coltrane and captures his unique tone well but Jimmy Garrison’s bass occasionally descends into the aural sludge.
It is now difficult to understand why this music was controversial. There are instances, not at this concert, where some people barracked Coltrane because they considered that he was anti-jazz. They were not used to improvisations that would stretch out for over twenty minutes as some of the tracks here do. It is a measure of Coltrane’s continuing influence on jazz that long improvisations are now accepted and Coltrane is widely revered.
Elvin Jones is irrepressible but although he is not favoured by the recording you can still hear his drive and the unique rolling rhythms that were such an essential part of the group.
The answer to anyone who still argues that Coltrane’s playing is ugly they should listen to ‘I Want To Talk About You’. With that tone - like liquid grey marble - he finishes with a five minute coda and explores every nuance of his horn exploring and embellishing the beautiful piece. ‘My Favourite Things’ is, as usual, de-constructed and re-constructed in ways that Rodgers and Hammerstein never envisaged. The piece intrigued Coltrane and he never tired of it. The piercing soprano tone give a flavour of north African and Indian music especially with the intricate, detailed improvisations. McCoy Tyner and Elvin Jones underpin it all to give the music a timeless rhythm.
Bye Bye Blackbird, at 23.38 the longest piece, was a standard that Coltrane had played during his time with Miles Davis. Here he relishes the freedom to play long that Davis denied him.
The consistency of this group was impressive. Night after night they produced jazz music of the highest order. That night in Graz they produced a concert that is as good as any other on that tour. If you are new to jazz this is one group that must be heard.
Reviewed by Jack Kenny
‘In’ Crowd 996693
John Coltrane tenor and soprano saxophones; McCoy Tyner piano; Jimmy Garrison bass; Elvin Jones drums
Recorded 28 November 1962 Graz Austria
A year after he toured Europe with Eric Dolphy in the group, Coltrane was back in Europe with what is now described as his classic quartet. He was also playing his classic repertoire with the exception of ‘Autumn Leaves’. Apparently, this is the only known recording of the group playing this piece. The rest is the mixture of standards and originals that the quartet played at this time.
In 1962 the quartet played across the continent, recorded by broadcasting companies at every concert. The bootlegs of that tour document the triumphant progress of this important group that still influences jazz musicians fifty years on. The quality of the recordings vary but this one in Graz is acceptable. It favours Coltrane and captures his unique tone well but Jimmy Garrison’s bass occasionally descends into the aural sludge.
It is now difficult to understand why this music was controversial. There are instances, not at this concert, where some people barracked Coltrane because they considered that he was anti-jazz. They were not used to improvisations that would stretch out for over twenty minutes as some of the tracks here do. It is a measure of Coltrane’s continuing influence on jazz that long improvisations are now accepted and Coltrane is widely revered.
Elvin Jones is irrepressible but although he is not favoured by the recording you can still hear his drive and the unique rolling rhythms that were such an essential part of the group.
The answer to anyone who still argues that Coltrane’s playing is ugly they should listen to ‘I Want To Talk About You’. With that tone - like liquid grey marble - he finishes with a five minute coda and explores every nuance of his horn exploring and embellishing the beautiful piece. ‘My Favourite Things’ is, as usual, de-constructed and re-constructed in ways that Rodgers and Hammerstein never envisaged. The piece intrigued Coltrane and he never tired of it. The piercing soprano tone give a flavour of north African and Indian music especially with the intricate, detailed improvisations. McCoy Tyner and Elvin Jones underpin it all to give the music a timeless rhythm.
Bye Bye Blackbird, at 23.38 the longest piece, was a standard that Coltrane had played during his time with Miles Davis. Here he relishes the freedom to play long that Davis denied him.
The consistency of this group was impressive. Night after night they produced jazz music of the highest order. That night in Graz they produced a concert that is as good as any other on that tour. If you are new to jazz this is one group that must be heard.
Reviewed by Jack Kenny
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