John Coltrane - Giant Steps [Deluxe Edition]

[Stormcrow]

Again, it seems pointless to go into an in-depth review of a classic such as this. As everybody I'm sure has heard it, and it has undoubtedly been reveiwed millions of times, I would just like to offer some thoughts on it:

Whereas Sonny Rollins is laid-back, Coltrane, I think, could hardly be described as such. Even on the ballads he is intense. That's a good thing, too. Intensity is not bad, neither is being laid-back. My favorite tracks would have to be "Naima" and "Mr. PC."

The bonus tracks are nice, as they offer a look at how many different ways Coltrane could perform a song. I know some folks think Bonus tracks detract from an album, but in this case I think they added to it.

[LeMo]

I don't see how bonus tracks can "detract" an album as
you can always "program" the original album on your CD player.

The pleasure of the CD it's the possibility that it offers to listen to longer tracks (as "Ascension", by exemple) in the continuity, without the spliting than LP impose.
The other pleasure is, of course, to have all the "bonus" tracks about a piece reunited on the same support.

This is what makes CD interesting and nothing else.
For sound quality and the pleasure to handle the object, I prefer LP. No match, here.

(of course "Giant Steps" is great. One of my two favorites Atlantic records from JC. And the Rhino/Atlantic version is the one to have as the current Atlantic album is really a crapp).

Funny, I had heard a lot of adjectives used to describe Sonny Rollins' playing over the years, but never "laid back." Maybe next to Trane he was. Sometimes. Maybe. On occasion.

[Stormcrow]

well, ok, maybe not "laid-back." I just can't seem to find the right words to describe what it is about his tone I like so much. His playing is not laid back, but his tone sounds like it is, maybe. Oh, I dunno.

Then again, almost anybody sounds laid-back compared to the Trane.

[Captain Hate]

I'm sure its been mentioned here before, but any comment from youse guys about how out to lunch Tommy Flanagan sounds on the title cut. I don't take any pleasure in pointing this out, because Flanagan was Mr. Integrity as long as I've been listening (and his solo album by this name on enja was outstanding). But he had no clue when he took his solo way back when. I'm kind of surprised they didn't release a take without his solo.

[Tanager]

I never thought that the view that Flanagan wasn't quite with it on that track was all that controversial. And yes, I love Tommy's work elsewhere, lots in fact.

[gnhrtg]

One tune that I just love and would really like to hear more often (i.e., played by other musicians) is Syeeda's Song Flute. The melody is the kind that one can play around with throughout the improvisation and I happen to particularly enjoy it when cats work off the melody and build a theme-based solo.

As intense as Trane's playing usually is, his blowing on Countdown almost melts the sax.

(As a mediocre guitar player who has, in the past, tried to improvise over Giant Steps, I particularly appreciate the different takes to see how Trane used to work over the changes)

[HLJ]

Allright young money you got a little taste of some Great Trane now you ready foe "A Love Supreme"Peace and all that.

[bluenoter]

HL--I'll bet that Theo has already heard A Love Supreme. As time goes by, I get the impression that he's heard a lot more jazz than we realize.

[Stormcrow]

Actually, I have not heard "A Love Supreme."