Search - John Coltrane :: Bethlehem Years

Bethlehem Years
John Coltrane
Bethlehem Years
Genres: Jazz, Pop
 
  •  Track Listings (12) - Disc #1
  •  Track Listings (15) - Disc #2

This pair of discs represents three separate December 1957 recording sessions, two of which were originally issued with Art Blakey as the leader of the rollicking big band. Today, Coltrane's name supersedes even Blakey's i...  more »

     
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CD Details

All Artists: John Coltrane
Title: Bethlehem Years
Members Wishing: 0
Total Copies: 0
Label: Rhino / Wea
Release Date: 1/18/2000
Genres: Jazz, Pop
Styles: Swing Jazz, Bebop
Number of Discs: 2
SwapaCD Credits: 2
UPC: 081227598723

Synopsis

Amazon.com
This pair of discs represents three separate December 1957 recording sessions, two of which were originally issued with Art Blakey as the leader of the rollicking big band. Today, Coltrane's name supersedes even Blakey's in the jazz pantheon. The third session is a quintet with Blakey, Donald Byrd, Walter Bishop Jr., and Wendell Marshall, the core of the big band. Disc Two boasts fifteen unreleased alternate takes, including a wobbly, uncredited "Oasis," replete with studio chatter. These dates mark a transitional period for Coltrane, coming on the heels of his first Miles Davis Quintet stint and at the cusp of his brief but legendary tenure with Thelonious Monk. Not quite at the sheets-of-sound period in his career, Monk still plays with an appealing urgency and energy, setting him apart from his mates. Though he doesn't solo on every track, his is the most compelling voice to step out from the ensemble into the spotlight. One quibble: there are no soloist credits listed, though it's certainly clear when Trane steps up to the mic. This package is good for historical purposes, well recorded and well executed, but it's not particularly essential to Coltrane's oeuvre. --Willard Jenkins

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CD Reviews

Early Big Band Style Trane
wednightprayermeeting | Bellview, CA | 09/22/2000
(4 out of 5 stars)

"Coltrane actually only spent a couple months with the Bethlehem label in 1957, rendering the title of this double disker a little silly. Was it a marketing ploy? Oh well, this is John Coltrane in a not often heard setting: The big band orchestra.Trane rarely gets time to really amaze, bogged down by the vast arrangements, but this is a unique period in the Trane discography. Definately not essential, but interesting after you have picked up His defining albums.Three and 1/2 stars."
Quite a find - great CD
dm | rochester, ny | 11/15/2004
(5 out of 5 stars)

"I'm a big Jazz and Coltrane fan, but had never heard of this CD. I stumbled upon it at the local record store, and after listening had to get it.



First of all, the title of the CD is a bit misleading; "The Bethlehem Sessions: Featuring John Coltrane" would probably be more apt. Although Coltrane is featured on many of the solos, he is really just a part of a larger band and the focus is not always on him. But what a band! The sound is fantastic on this CD, technically speaking, and the band are all in great form, playing as if they've been together for years. The sound is big band jazz which I don't particularly enjoy, but on this CD it works perfectly.

I have to say that I enjoy this CD immensely and will listen to it often in the future!"
Entertaining big band stuff.
fluffy, the human being. | forest lake, mn | 04/05/2007
(4 out of 5 stars)

"it's kind of misleading to present this music under john coltrane's name. these are actually a couple of recording dates from 1957 that john coltrane plays on, but does not lead. one of the sessions is an art blakey big band session (fine by me), and the other main session has donald byrd, oscar pettiford, and philly joe jones as members. all good, very likable stuff; but not really a coltrane set. if you are a jazz fan, i still recommend this music. it is fun stuff. people just might want to know its true nature before picking up a copy.





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