CD-Charts Position 1
Average Rating:

John Coltrane: Crescent

by: John Coltrane Quartet

Release Date September 24, 1996
In the vast, almost surreally expansive litany of John Coltrane music, this CD stands out for a number of reasons. For one, it provides a glimpse of the man sort of at a cross roads, where he was still whipping out the licks he has since become famous for, but where he also delves into an improvisational method that borders on the avant-garde, and indeed - many would argue - heralds that era. Especially in the opening title track, one really has to be listening close to tell that he hasn't strayed completely away from the original melody and chords, and for me, it causes a strain that is almost tangibly tiring. But the rest of the tracks settle down into what I would call "traditional" Coltrane, where, yeah, he goes off on his own, but just ... Read More:

CD-Charts Position 2
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Ballads

by: John Coltrane Quartet

Release Date June 27, 1995
Gene Lees wrote on Liner Notes that John Coltrane had on occasion expressed puzzlement over such descriptions of himself as "best of the angry tenors." He once said: "I guess they say that because I play the horn hard." And if I may add, he played with love and dedication that shows in every note, his interpretations radiate simple elegance and respect to the material.

"Ballads" is a collection of eight striking tunes recorded in 1961 and 1962 by John Coltrane Quartet featuring himself on tenor sax, McCoy Tyner on piano, Jimmy Garrison on bass and Elvin Jones on drums, with the special participation of a guest musician, bassist Reggie Workman on "It's Easy To Remember," one of my absolute favorite tunes from one of my favorite composers of all ... Read More:

CD-Charts Position 3
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Ballads

by: John Coltrane Quartet

Release Date February 19, 2008
ballads has always been my favorite john coltrane recording. as well as his most listener friendly, a john coltrane recording to be played in mixed company without any one running out the room. and this is the original recording, so what if it's less than 40 minutes, better 40 minutes of lovely supreme jazz than fillers of several outtakes of selections. and, yes, this is the dream team, mccoy tyner on piano, jimmy garrison on bass, and elvin jones on drums.

even if you listen to nothing by john coltrane except ascension, you should have a copy of ballads, you owe it to your mom and pop when they visit to let them know you haven't musically lost your mind.

oh, and don't forget to check out karrin allyson's ballads: remembering john coltrane, ... Read More:

CD-Charts Position 4
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The John Coltrane Quartet Plays

by: John Coltrane Quartet

Release Date March 11, 1997
wow. look what i had somehow missed. i have been a coltrane fanatic for about 25 years, yet it was only a month ago that i latched onto this album. i knew it existed, i had just never gotten around to buying the thing. well, the error has been corrected, and with happy results. this is an outstanding coltrane release! i'm almost glad that i missed out on it for so long, because now i have a new masterpiece to enjoy. if you are a jazz fan, or a coltrane fan (and why wouldn't you be?), and have not yet heard this recording; procure a copy asap. do you hear me? asap!

CD-Charts Position 5
Average Rating:

Crescent

by: John Coltrane Quartet

Release Date June 10, 2008
This album shows a magnificent Coltrane. I Think this CD must be in your music collection

CD-Charts Position 6
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Live at the Five Spot

by: Thelonious Monk Quartet, John Coltrane

Release Date March 23, 1993
...many would say, but I believe Coltrane should have stayed a Monk sideman, judging by the evidence of this recording. No other Monk hornman shared Thelonious's lust for harmonic deconstruction. Usually players like Charlie Rouse, Johnny Griffin, or Sonny Rollins imposed structure on Monk's pixilated harmonic eccentricities, then the leader comes in with a piano solo that blows that order away. Only Trane, entering his furious sheets of sound period (he's like an erutping volcano), evinces a Monkian desire to shred order, structure, common sense. The two men were a match made in heaven, and they left only a tiny handful of recordings together. This is hands down the most anarchic (the whole band sounds weirdly restrained on the recently discovered Voice of America Recording). ... Read More:

CD-Charts Position 7
Average Rating:

Live at the Showboat Philadelphia June 17, 1963

by: John Coltrane Quartet

Release Date August 20, 2008
...many would say, but I believe Coltrane should have stayed a Monk sideman, judging by the evidence of this recording. No other Monk hornman shared Thelonious's lust for harmonic deconstruction. Usually players like Charlie Rouse, Johnny Griffin, or Sonny Rollins imposed structure on Monk's pixilated harmonic eccentricities, then the leader comes in with a piano solo that blows that order away. Only Trane, entering his furious sheets of sound period (he's like an erutping volcano), evinces a Monkian desire to shred order, structure, common sense. The two men were a match made in heaven, and they left only a tiny handful of recordings together. This is hands down the most anarchic (the whole band sounds weirdly restrained on the recently discovered Voice of America Recording). ... Read More:

CD-Charts Position 8
Average Rating:

Atlantic Jazz: Best of the '50's

from: Rhino / Wea

Release Date July 20, 1993
...many would say, but I believe Coltrane should have stayed a Monk sideman, judging by the evidence of this recording. No other Monk hornman shared Thelonious's lust for harmonic deconstruction. Usually players like Charlie Rouse, Johnny Griffin, or Sonny Rollins imposed structure on Monk's pixilated harmonic eccentricities, then the leader comes in with a piano solo that blows that order away. Only Trane, entering his furious sheets of sound period (he's like an erutping volcano), evinces a Monkian desire to shred order, structure, common sense. The two men were a match made in heaven, and they left only a tiny handful of recordings together. This is hands down the most anarchic (the whole band sounds weirdly restrained on the recently discovered Voice of America Recording). ... Read More:

CD-Charts Position 9
Average Rating:

The Complete 1963 Copenhagen Concert

by: John Coltrane Quartet

Release Date August 20, 2008
...many would say, but I believe Coltrane should have stayed a Monk sideman, judging by the evidence of this recording. No other Monk hornman shared Thelonious's lust for harmonic deconstruction. Usually players like Charlie Rouse, Johnny Griffin, or Sonny Rollins imposed structure on Monk's pixilated harmonic eccentricities, then the leader comes in with a piano solo that blows that order away. Only Trane, entering his furious sheets of sound period (he's like an erutping volcano), evinces a Monkian desire to shred order, structure, common sense. The two men were a match made in heaven, and they left only a tiny handful of recordings together. This is hands down the most anarchic (the whole band sounds weirdly restrained on the recently discovered Voice of America Recording). ... Read More:

CD-Charts Position 10
Average Rating:

Crescent

by: John Coltrane Quartet

Release Date October 25, 1990
...many would say, but I believe Coltrane should have stayed a Monk sideman, judging by the evidence of this recording. No other Monk hornman shared Thelonious's lust for harmonic deconstruction. Usually players like Charlie Rouse, Johnny Griffin, or Sonny Rollins imposed structure on Monk's pixilated harmonic eccentricities, then the leader comes in with a piano solo that blows that order away. Only Trane, entering his furious sheets of sound period (he's like an erutping volcano), evinces a Monkian desire to shred order, structure, common sense. The two men were a match made in heaven, and they left only a tiny handful of recordings together. This is hands down the most anarchic (the whole band sounds weirdly restrained on the recently discovered Voice of America Recording). ... Read More: