Released: 1957
Tracks: Blue Train; Moment’s Notice; Locomotion; I’m Old Fashioned; Lazy Bird
Best track: too hard, all are outstanding. I’ll pick the head of Blue Train if I have to.
Track to skip: you gotta be kidding! All are great.
I know so little about jazz. I know that I like listening to it, but as far as the technical aspects go, I’m pretty clueless. This was actually Coltrane’s second album, and his only album (a one-off) recorded for Blue Note. His debut, recorded a few months before this, was titled
Coltrane and was released on his primary label, Prestige. So, this album comes from right at the beginning of Coltrane leading a group under his own name; all the work he had done before this he was just a sideman.
For this album he brought along the talents of Lee Morgan on trumpet, Curtis Fuller on trombone, Kenny Drew on piano, Paul Chambers on bass and “Philly” Joe Jones on drums. Coltrane borrowed Chambers and Jones from Miles Davis’ group, with whom Coltrane had played.
The very beginning of Blue Train is probably the most striking moment of the album. It’s a very Minor and sad riff and a very different opening for the album. I’d always expect the first song on an album to start out running and just be a big kick in the ass. Coltrane took a subdued approach and really makes an impression with it. Blue Train is excellent, especially the head/main riff; it’s one of the most memorable and classic moments in recorded music (to my ears).
Everybody’s solos throughout the album are good and no one really takes the initiative and becomes the leader of the group. I think Coltrane’s inexperience kinda made him hold back a bit. Moment’s Notice is also a great composition, with a lot of good soloing. Listening to the album for purposes of this review, I was struck of how melodic EVERYTHING is on this. Every player is just shooting out these wonderful melodies all through this thing.
This is a very accessible album if you are new to the world of jazz. There’s no dissonance, no weird stuff and everything is pretty easy to follow. Good stuff to pick up.
Rating: 89
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