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COLTRANE The Classic Quartet: Complete Impulse! Studio Recordings
Our Price: $89.98 Prices subject to change.
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Binding: Audio CD
EAN: 0011105028028
Format: Box set
Label: Grp Records
Manufacturer: Grp Records
MPN: 280
Number Of Discs: 8
Publisher: Grp Records
Release Date: November 17, 1998
Studio: Grp Records
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Editorial Review:
There have been many Coltrane compilations and box sets over the years since the saxophonist's passing in 1967, but this eight-CD complete collection of his quartet's studio recordings between 1961 and 1965 is the must-have. Jazz may be a music blessed with dazzling soloists, but few groups in its history seem up to perfectly matching the intentions of their leaders: Louis Armstrong's Hot Five and Hot Seven, Bill Evans's trio of 1960-61, and Miles Davis's mid-60's quintet are among the few that immediately come to mind. Coltrane's quartet of pianist McCoy Tyner, drummer Elvin Jones, and bassist Jimmy Garrison was another, a group so perfectly matched to his playing that it seems difficult to imagine him without them. Tyner, for example, immerses the group in restless chords and showers of single notes; Jones plays with stentorian power, yet tempers his playing with well-etched detail and a strong sense of melody; and Garrison anchors the quartet with drones and deeply rooted vamps. So powerful was the quartet's conception that even when ringers like Art Davis and Roy Haynes turn up on a couple of tracks, they, too, carry out Coltrane's aims, their individual differences worked into the scheme. On the 66 tracks included in this set (all now remastered) it's possible to follow the evolution of this extraordinary band from Coltrane's very ascetic approach on relatively straightforward albums such as Ballads and The John Coltrane Quartet Plays through devotional efforts like A Love Supreme and First Meditations on to Living Space and Sun Ship, those last moments before his leap of faith into the unknown in his last few years.
This quartet's music is marked with a seriousness of purpose that burst the boundaries of jazz, and with a display of authority rare for any music. Yet despite its exploratory passion, it was a music grounded in the blues and the distant memory of swing. Coltrane, always the seeker, had found his kindred spirits and poured himself and all he knew into these performances; and even those who never shared an enthusiasm for his music at least always recognized this much.
The final disc of the set contains seven unreleased tracks, including significantly different versions of "Bessie's Blues" and "Resolution" from A Love Supreme, and others discovered by Ravi Coltrane on his father's original reference records. (For those interested in the culture of the studio, it is fascinating to see that despite its apparent simplicity and the inevitability of its melody, a gem like "Dear Lord" began with the plague of several false starts.) Music spread across 18 albums has been collated and reassembled chronologically here, much of it not always easy to find: examples are the scattered gems "Vilia," "Dear Old Stockholm," and "Big Nick," as well as a version of "Greensleeves," originally issued as an Impulse 45 single. An essential set for understanding jazz at its highest level of achievement. --John Szwed
Customer Reviews
Average Rating: 
Rating: - ESSENTIAL, BUT NEEDS A RE-DO
Posting a "review" or "critique" of such music? Might as well toss off another review of Merton's Seven Storey Mountain, New Seeds or Asian Journal- and pat myself on the back for CONTRIBUTING something. (To quote Churchill : "slush, mush, and gush." ) But since I've already posted reviews of the Pablo LIVE TRANE set and Merton's INNER EXPERIENCE, you can call me a hypocrite if you want.
Still, I will mention that the transfers are stellar, and the content of this box is as complete ... Read More
Rating: - Great item, but attention!
Music on this box set is perfect. I like it, mainly last five cd's. Coltrane's free and soulful jazz is superb. I love his music and his last free jazz" years especially.
I obtain this box set manufactury sealed with seal. But when I had opened this box set some cd's was lightly scratched. Maybe it is for terrible packaging of this set. Problem is to extract cd's from case.
But I already have experience with new factory sealed boxes (from different stores) which included lightly scratches ... Read More
Rating: - Stunning, and indispensible
Listening to Coltrane and his colleagues evolve from "Greensleeves" in December '61 to the First Meditations sessions in September '65, is to take part in one of the greatest human journeys ever recorded. The music is almost beyond description: dissonant, beautiful, violent, gentle, sad, exuberant -- a passionate and accurate reflection of the human condition.
A warning to the uninitiated: This is NOT "My Favorite Things," or "The Gentle Side." Coltrane is an acquired taste; he pushes ... Read More
Rating: - Essential
I won't use this space to review the incredible music of the John Coltrane Quartet. Completely unnecessary!
Some reviewers and commentators dislike the presentation of the pieces in the order of their recording rather than organized by albums. I think this is a minor quibble, especially considering that the transition from the LP-era to the CD-era has already "mixed things up" considerably. For example, the modern CD issue of the album "Transition" drops "Dear Lord" and adds two pieces from ... Read More
Rating: - Great for collectors
Being a jazz saxophonist and have always been influenced by Coltrane, this box set was worth checking out. Every tune is a gem! Everything from his ballads to Sun Ship and Expression are on here.
If you don't own it already, I would also recommend Coltrane buyers to check out Heavyweight Champion: The Complete Atlantic Recordings if you're looking for high amounts of Coltrane material.
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