Coltrane: The Story of a Sound

Ratliff's Coltrane: The Story of a Sound is somewhat disappointing. It does not fail to deliver in its coverage of the evolution of Coltrane's music from the earliest navy band recordings to his death 1967. However, a full biography would likely have contextualized more effectively some of the conditions in which Coltrane felt a compulsion to constantly evolve and search for deeper meaning in his music. Ratliff, without hagiography and excessive biographical detail, does manage to accomplish some of this through other biographies and interviews with those who knew Coltrane. But for reasons perhaps unbeknownst to me, the text does does not quite capture the sublime quality of Coltrane's music in the manner a proper biography would. Everything seems aloof and unmoored from the context of his work, despite its coverage of the full breadth of Coltrane's career. 

Further, I am not convinced I share the author's opinions on some of Coltrane's creative decisions or personnel, particularly the enriching role of Eric Dolphy as a sideman and arranger for some of Coltrane's most riveting work (Africa/Brass and Olé Coltrane). I've long enjoyed the contrast in styles represented by Dolphy and the Coltrane "classic" quartet, and contrasting nature of Dolphy's own style adds a beautiful clash. His arranging skills and mutual interest in "Eastern" and Indian musical modes and expression surely shaped Coltrane, too, adding another speech-like layer of sound through his alto and bass clarinet solos. I suppose one can always find points of disagreement among fans and aficionados of Coltrane, as his vast legacy has shaped free and mainstream jazz since his untimely death in 1967. 

Grant Green's My Favorite Things

An astonishing and Coltrane-like interpretation of "My Favorite Things" from Grant Green. Green is accompanied by pianist McCoy Tyner and Elvin Jones, so comparisons to Coltrane are inevitable. Despite some expected similarities between Coltrane and Grant's approach to this powerful song, I am particularly drawn to McCoy Tyner's piano solo here. Yes, there's the heavy block chords and chromaticism that we've come to expect in Tyner's style, but he plays more ferociously here, as if playing against the more ethereal solo on the famous Coltrane recording. Perhaps because of Jones's even more propulsive drumming, Tyner swings even harder. Maybe this is a sign I should move past my Bill Evans obsession and revisit my old McCoy Tyner obsession for the next few months. 

A Tribute to Coltrane (And Tyner and Jones)

A fascinating tribute to Coltrane, McCoy Tyner and Elvin Jones from David S. Ware. "African Drums" sounds eerily close to Coltrane's take of "My Favorite Things" with a hint of the drum soloing of Jones on Coltrane's "Africa." Sure, Matthew Shipp's piano accompaniment and soloing is derivative of Tyner's singular style, but sometimes you have to take an homage for what it is. Ware's time to shine is distinct enough anyway.