Search - John Coltrane :: John Coltrane Quartet Plays (Reis) (Rstr)

Important transition

Tyler Smith | Denver, CO United States | 03/06/2003

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Like 1962's "Coltrane", and 1964's "Crescent" this album sometimes gets overlooked in Trane's discography, because it was a launching point for more tumultuous and/or influential releases that came after. On its own merits, it's very much an album worth having.The release followed "A Love Supreme," so it's virtually assured that it will suffer a bit in comparison. But the comparison is really an unfair one, since Coltrane was clearly on to other vistas with this album from those he achieved in "A Love Supreme." The entire mood of "Plays" is more searching and less contemplative. It features a blistering soprano attack on "Chim Chim Cheree," that has nothing to do with his prior interpretations of standards (e.g., "My Favorite Things" and "Greensleeves") and searching, slow-paced tenor pieces that seem more restless than "Psalm," certainly," from "A Love Supreme," and even more agressive than that album's "Pursuit" and "Resolution."Eric Nisenson, in his fine biography of Coltrane, "Ascension," gives shorter shrift to this album than I think seems right. He seems, for example, disturbed by the restlessness at the heart of (for me) the album's best track, "Song of Praise," but I feel, "A Song of Praise" encapsulates the questing attitude of the album and adds to its appeal. "Song of Praise" and "Brasilia" feature not only brilliant playing from Coltrane and the rest of the quartet (particularly bassist Jimmy Garrison), but also a clear example of Coltrane attempting to reach beyond what he had achieved in arguably his greatest year (1964's "Crescent" and "A Love Supreme"), which of course means probably the greatest year in jazz. Did he succeed? Maybe not, but that's not the point, which many fail to grasp. The point was, he tried.It's kind of useless reviewing Coltrane albums. If you're hooked, you'll get this one, and you'll fit it into your personal ranking system. If you're not, you probably won't get this review or the music anyway."

An overlooked classic

Matt Stephens | USA | 08/27/2004

(5 out of 5 stars)

"1. Chim Chim Cheree 6:56

2. Brazilia 12:54

3. Nature Boy 8:01

4. Song of Praise 9:47

5. Feelin' Good 6:21

6. Nature Boy 7:03

7. Nature Boy 8:18



John Coltrane, tenor & soprano sax

McCoy Tyner, piano

Jimmy Garrison, bass

Art Davis, bass (3, 5, 6)

Elvin Jones, drums



The amazing thing about the Classic Quartet is that even after recording A Love Supreme, one of the greatest and most influential records of all time, they could still go right back into the studio and blow everyone away again, in a completely different way. This disc has some very pleasant surprises.



"Chim Chim Cheree" is a tune from the movie Mary Poppins. How many people could take a song from a Disney movie and put an avant-jazz edge on it? Simply brilliant. It's done in 3/4 with Coltrane on soprano.



To make the set even better, Art Davis is added as a second bass player on "Feelin' Good" and the studio versions of "Nature Boy." Davis had been a member of Coltrane's early group in 1961, but he left soon afterward (I'm not sure exactly when). He still appeared at occasional studio sessions, including the Ascension date and the alternate versions of "Acknowledgement" from A Love Supreme. In my opinion, he is one of the most overlooked and underrated bass players in jazz. His voice on his instrument is entirely individual and singular.



"Brazilia" dates back to 1961 Village Vanguard and is given a new workout here with a few minor adjustments. Great interplay between Coltrane and Elvin. However, the really unique pieces here are "Nature Boy" and "Song Of Praise." It may not be obvious at first, but "Nature Boy" is in 5/4 time (after the out-of-time intro), which is interesting because the song was not originally written in 5/4. In fact, the song began as a latin-flavored ballad, but what Coltrane does with it is purely ingenious. Both the originally released version and the live version of the tune swing hard, but the one that really caught my attention was the alternate studio take. I don't know why they didn't use this version as the master. Elvin uses mallets instead of sticks, the piano becomes entirely percussive, and the second bass (Davis) becomes a lead instrument along with Coltrane, while Garrison keeps the whole thing together with a seemingly floating line that continues almost through the entire tune. The groove is so hypnotic and amazing.



"Song Of Praise" is my favorite track of the album. By 1963, Coltrane had redefined the meaning of a ballad and turned it inside out. His unique ballad style can be traced back to 1963's "After The Rain." This is a good early example of how Coltrane seemed to enjoy playing ballads in free time, without rhythm. However, it soon evolved past ballads, and the free tunes became an integral part of his repertoire. By 1966, everything was done freely. He was constantly developing this writing style; some key links are "Alabama," "Psalm" (the pinnacle, in my opinion), and after this recording, "Dearly Beloved" and most of the Meditations Suite. "Song Of Praise" begins the way many of the group's pieces did-with an a cappela bass solo from Jimmy Garrison. His double stops and surprisingly structured modal changes are a perfect introduction for the rest of the tune. Coltrane comes in with a prayer-like invocation (similar to his earlier free ballads) before launching into a spiritually deep solo, propelled by Elvin's rumbling rolls and McCoy Tyner's supportive harmony. The group had recorded this tune in 1963, but the tape was lost. Doubtless, by 1965 it had changed a great deal.



This is a classic album, like any other Coltrane record. If you enjoy his work from this time period, you'll love this. Feel it."

Overlooked Gem

Stephen | Virginia Beach, VA USA | 12/28/2000

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Why this one is always overlooked I just don't understand. Originally conceived as a "covers" album (see liner notes) Trane takes Chim Chim Cheree and Nature Boy even further out than he had done with My Favorite Things while the Brazilia and Song of Praise are excellent examples of Coltrane's compositions at the time.While its great that labels want to include bonus tracks sometimes the set would be better without them. Here its mixed. Feeling Good is an ok track from the same time period while the two bonus Nature Boy versions are very interesting.Plays (along with perhaps Sun Ship) is a great palce to start a post Love Supreme collection."