When I look back at past issues, and glance at my record collection, I find it incredible that Ork Alarm! has not yet written at any length about John Coltrane. During his tragically short life he was undoubtedly one of the most influential and important jazz players of all time and, it could genuinely be said, a pivotal figure in redefining the musical boundaries of the twentieth century. "Trane" died in 1967, aged 41, leaving behind him a phenomenal legacy not only for his recorded studio work but also for his live concerts - which often pushed experimentation to the very edge. Proof of his greatness can be found in the newly published second edition of the excellent Penguin Guide to Jazz which awards a number of his works the much coveted maximum points for their importance in an extremely short list amongst thousands of reviews. I think I would have added some more.
The reason I have the opportunity to mention all this is that Impulse Records have continued their admirable re-issuing / re-packaging policy in respect of "Trane" by recently issuing in double CD format 'Live In Seattle', a concert recorded in the heady days of 1965. It features what many regard as the classic quartet of Trane, McCoy Tyner piano, Jimmy Garrison bass and Elvin Jones drums. This set is augmented with Pharoah Sanders and Donald Garrett providing additional tenor and bass - and what a powerful set it is!
This was an astonishingly fertile period for Trane, beginning with the recording in December '64 of what many regard as his masterpiece 'A Love Supreme' followed by 'Ascension' and, towards the end of the year, 'Meditations' classic recordings all. He was becoming an immensely spiritual person, examining in depth Eastern cultures and philosophies and this is fully reflected in the music on offer here. Disc 1 opens with 'Cosmos' followed by two lengthy interpretations - both over 20 minutes long - of 'Out of This World' first recorded in 1962, then the great standard 'Body and Soul' featuring some outstanding solos. The disc concludes with 'Tapestry in Sound', a Garrison composition with some inspired bass playing.
Not even the technological wonders of CD can accommodate Trane fully on Disc 2, as the two tracks here 'Evolution' and 'Afro Blue' weigh in over 30 minutes long and 'Afro Blue' cannot be accompanied in its entirety. It should be remembered that despite the raw, fierce intensity of much of Trane's playing in this period, he was also capable of moments of extreme tenderness and both sides are reflected here. Quite how long the incomplete 'Afro Blue' lasted I don't know, but it ends here with the musicians firing on all cylinders and certainly remains echoing through the listener's head for some time afterwards. Those lucky enough to have been present must have been on cloud nine for weeks afterwards and the famous description of Trane's music as "sheets of sound" is certainly appropriate. This release is another valuable addition in respect of Trane's recorded work, and cannot be recommended highly enough.
In addition to recordings already mentioned I would also add 'The Major Works', 'Giant Steps' and 'Interstellar Space' as being indispensable - together with Miles Davis's 'Kind of Blue', a seminal album which features Coltrane at his most sublime.