Search - John Coltrane :: Reflections

2 1/2 Stars

MTB | The Firmament | 06/27/2006

(3 out of 5 stars)

"Sound quality is average at best. Being a relative completist, I purchased this in the hopes that the 19-minute "Chim Chim Cheree" would be berserk enough to merit this as a steal. But it's rather too desultory, and unlike the "Quartet Plays" version, he does not lock into the head melody at all, but floats above and around it. He does wander back into "Impressions" amidst the extended solo, which is intriguing. As the CD is devoid of liner notes or other supplementary historicals, I would have to date this around late-65. At one point it nearly sounds like Alice is part of the ensemble, but the astonishingly vibrant and particularly coherent piano work gives the lie to that speculation. McCoy Tyner, in spite of the tinny audio, comes through quite prominently. Too bad about the sound, because there is some stupendous musicianship, as was characterized by this valedictory period. "Up and Down" appears to be a detached segment from another song--perhaps one of the "Untitled" or numbered pieces that Coltrane submitted for the "Living Space" CD. It is not "One Up, One Down"."