Wednesday, November 30, 2011

Interesting John Coltrane Songs


I've been listening to some Coltrane again lately. I've noticed that some of his songs bear strong melodic similarities to other famous jazz standards, such as "Night in Tunisia" and his own "Giant Steps." Listen to his "Liberia" and tell  me if that does not sound like "Night in Tunisia?"

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BxJtXDcbAOY I believe the song uses the chord changes from "Night in Tunisia," in addition to sharing a African nations in the titles of the compositions and the use of African rhythms.

Coltrane's "Central Park West" is also another interesting Coltrane ballad. It is essentially a slowed down version of Giant Steps, with McCoy Tyner getting extra time to shine on piano.
Check it! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cDB5xwJXdyg&feature=related

Now listen to "Giant Steps" and hear the same introduction. Coltrane reused his own compositions and jazz standards all the time while incorporating African, Latin, Indian, and folk musical forms.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=30FTr6G53VU

Coltrane's "Equinox" is another interesting Coltrane-penned composition. Essentially a simple blues song, it begins with Latin drumming, but quickly turns into a spiritual, slightly altered blues with Coltrane and Tyner  soloing. It's actually very similar to a lot of other Coltrane songs that are reworked blues-derived compositions.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6KV1sbOe43M&feature=related

"Teo," with Miles Davis, is another great and fascinating Coltrane song (composed by Miles, I think). It's like "Flamenco Sketches" from Kind of Blue but with interesting drumming and faster solos. Although lacking the balladic beauty of "Flamenco Sketches," I still find it to be a more interesting example of Davis and Coltrane using Spanish and Middle Eastern-tinged music forms. Coltrane solo steals the show.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4B8l07a-zbI

"Impressions" is also an interesting piece, based on Davis's "So What." Here is a live version with Eric Dolphy. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=me7P9qqBgwI
Listen to Davis's "So What," whose chord changes were used for "Impressions." http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DEC8nqT6Rrk

'Autumn Leaves" is one of the best jazz standards, and well played by the Coltrane quartet
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YKANToc0SeM&feature=related

"Brazilia" is another intriguing composition worth listening to, despite its length. Doesn't sound Brazilian at all, but quite bluesy. Great bass and drumming.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hF-5G15ORk0&feature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AZJo7YIvjvs&feature=related

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