Not much has been written about John Coltrane in the recent past, but that does not mean the man’s music is not taken sincerely anymore. Actually, so much has already been written about Coltrane that there isn’t much left for writers like me to talk about. Hmmm…well, yes there are a few Trane tunes I feel should have got more recognition than they did. His rendition of Billy Strayhorn’s classic “Lush Life” is truly the best version ever. Even “Central Park West” is a wonderful tune in its original form though Joe Lovano later topped it. And of course, who can ignore the title cut called “Traneing in” from the 1957 session Coltrane had with pianist Red Garland.
For the uninitiated, John Coltrane and Red Garland were a part of Miles Davis’ quintet in the mid-fifties. But side by side Trane was out of it and spent time woodshedding under Thelonius Monk. Red too headed his own little trio on the side, comprising Paul Chambers and Art Taylor who later joined Davis.
One can actually point at a heap of tracks from John Coltrane’s later career that made him reach great heights. Fans found a new grooviness in them, which was missing, in his early numbers.
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Tags: Music