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To say that John Coltrane is one of the greatest jazz musicians in the
history of the genre is to utter a banal truism, but amid all of the (well-deserved)
hubbub over Giant Steps and A Love Supreme, it is extremely edifying to
pick up this 1958 effort and hear how well the man could play standards
and especially ballads. Assisting him in this worthy endeavor are various
combinations of Earl May and Paul Chambers on bass and Louis Hayes, Albert
Heath, and Art Taylor on drums. Without a piano supplying much of the
harmony of the song, Coltrane is extremely exposed, having to rely upon
his own melodic inventiveness to ground his improvisations in both the
chords and melody of the tune itself, while simultaneously commenting
upon them. It's a difficult task, but one for which Coltrane is uncommonly
prepared. Throughout the record, the saxophonist sounds more like Charlie
Parker than usual, especially on the terrific "Like Someone in Love,"
but that doesn't mean that he doesn't get some of his own best licks in
as well. Saxophone ballads are rarely more interesting and more beautiful.
The Latin groove to "I Love You" is a delight, especially so
considering that the rhythm section sounds like it's going to fall apart
at any second. The sole deviation from the saxophone trio format features
assistance from Red Garland and Donald Byrd on a reading of "Lush
Life," which is so perfectly realized that one begins to wonder why
successive generations of jazzers still persist in attempting to improve
upon it. A perfect track and a perfect album, one well deserving of its
classic status.
(by Daniel Gioffre, All
Music Guide)
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