JOHN COLTRANE
Coltrane Plays The Blues (Rhino/Atlantic)
Reviewed by Shaun Dale

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New from the Rhino series of deluxe edition re-issues of classic Atlantic jazz releases, Coltrane Plays The Blues came from the marathon sessions in October, 1960, that also produced the albums Coltrane's Sound and My Favorite Things. It was a transitional period for Coltrane's quartet. He had recruited McCoy Tyner on piano and Elvin Jones on drums. Bassist Steve Davis was still in the position that would soon be occupied by Jimmy Garrison, who would provide the bottom for the more adventurous musical territory 'Trane was about to explore.

Davis handled his role ably, though, and he and Jones were strong enough together to allow Tyner to sit out on a pair of tracks, "Blues To Bechet" and "Blues To You," which were performed as a trio. "Blues To Bechet" and "Mr. Syms" found Coltrane on soprano sax, a jazz rarity at the time.

The material is strong, straight blues, with "Blues To You" revealing a bit of the direction that Coltrane was beginning to take. This release includes a pair of alternate takes of that tune and of the slow blues dedicated to drummer Jones, along with an unreleased, untitled original subtitled (Exotica). The additional material features solos worth hearing and is a cut above many of the alternate takes that sometimes provide more clutter than contribution to jazz re-issues.

The packaging lives up to the generally high standard that Rhino is known for, with original art and notes supplemented by period photos and a new essay by Neil Tesser, author of the Playboy Guide To Jazz. This is a valuable addition to the Coltrane catalogue.

Track List:

Blues To Elvin * Blues To Bechet * Blues To You * Mr. Day * Mr. Syms * Mr. Knight * (Bonus Tracks) Untitled Original (Exotica) * Blues To Elvin (Alternate Take 1) * Blues To Elvin (Alternate Take 2) * Blues To You (Alternate Take 1) * Blues To You (Alternate Take 2)

© 2000 - Shaun Dale