Four score and seven years ago, when I was first getting into Jazz, I heard this and proclaimed it unworthy of its acclaim. Many years later, after I'd listened a lot of Jazz and my personal sense of what I liked/disliked in Jazz had formed, I listened to this again. I liked it. Then I liked it more. Then I became blown away by it.
To me, it seems a perfect combination of impeccable composition (that bassline is a much an earworm as any #1 pop song has ever been) and rollicking improvisation. I would guess that aspiring Jazz musicians could do worse than to learn how to play this album and practice it until they get it all correct. There are so many things about this album that scream "Jazz done right." It still thrills to listen to, and it seems like a blueprint for how to make great Jazz.
It's not my favorite Jazz album. It's not my favorite Coltrane album. But it is a great album that I always enjoy listening to.
If I had to guess it would be Coltrane's Sound followed by perhaps Crescent and Africa/Brass?
Interestingly (but not surprisingly) I think Randy's favorite Coltrane albums would be completely different from mine (he doesn't like ballads/covers of standards as much as I do)
For my favorite Coltrane album, Zeebs nailed it with Coltrane's Sound. Crescent is another fave, though I'd probably put Ole a smidge ahead of it -- tough call for me either way. Maybe I feel that way because I just listened to Ole yesterday. Maybe I should make room for Crescent today and see what I think?
My favorite Jazz album overall is a more difficult answer. I have 24 Jazz albums rated at 5.0 stars, and many of the 140+ sitting at 4.5 stars could actually be 5-star albums for me if I wasn't such a tight ass about awarding 5 stars. But even sticking with the 24 that actually have 5 stars, I'd probably be limited to naming a top-8 top-10 and leaving it there: Coltrane's Sound, MoodSwing, Red Clay, Murray's Steps, Mode For Joe, Indestructible, Search For The New Land, Headhunters, Blues & Roots, and Capra Black. EDIT: IN NO PARTICULAR ORDER, I should have said.
That list carries the caveats that I chose only one album per artist (even if I might be inclined to included more,) that there are easily five-to-ten more albums that I enjoy enough to be on this list, and that many of the 4.5-star albums should actually be 5-star albums in the first place and are thus unfairly out of the running for the impromptu list. Another caveat is I ommitted Jazz albums that might challenge the sensibilities of Jazz purists, though they remain on my heart's list.
I'm already regretting that list. Not what made it, but what did not make it.
If I had to guess it would be Coltrane's Sound followed by perhaps Crescent and Africa/Brass?
Interestingly (but not surprisingly) I think Randy's favorite Coltrane albums would be completely different from mine (he doesn't like ballads/covers of standards as much as I do)
Strangely, I don't have Africa/Brass in my RYM collection and I can't find it in my physical collection. I have definitely heard it and love it, and know I own(ed) it, but now I'm wondering what happened. Whatever happened, the situation is untenable -- so I just ordered a new CD. I'll listen again and once my ears verify what my mind already knows, I'll give it 5 stars on RYM.
You're right, it would be an anomaly for a cover-heavy Jazz album to be among my all-time favorites. I'm a little easier on ballads (a little) but a cover-heavy Jazz album of all ballads probably has no chance at getting many listens from me. I enjoy Jazz ballads, but not so much an album full of Jazz ballads.
Sorry, but I gave this multiple re-listens. I DO like jazz, including some stuff that most jazz fans don't like ("Bitches Brew" anyone?). Which makes it all the odder that I *still* can't stomach this album. What am I missing? I have liked lots of other "bop" style jazz. Not this one. It sounds to me like everyone piled into the studio and Coltrane said "OK, guys, let's do this!" Someone then said "Do what?". Coltrane said "What ever the fuck you want!". I don't catch any connection between the players. Drums are playing "ba-dum-dum-dum-dah" while the piano is playing "pink-Plink!- plinkplinkplinkPLINK!", and Coltrane sounds like he is strangling geese in 5/4 time. Or is it 1/4 time? Who can tell. It is a terrible cacophony of a group of people playing what ever they want in the same room. Madness.
Sorry, but I gave this multiple re-listens. I DO like jazz, including some stuff that most jazz fans don't like ("Bitches Brew" anyone?). Which makes it all the odder that I *still* can't stomach this album. What am I missing? I have liked lots of other "bop" style jazz. Not this one. It sounds to me like everyone piled into the studio and Coltrane said "OK, guys, let's do this!" Someone then said "Do what?". Coltrane said "What ever the fuck you want!". I don't catch any connection between the players. Drums are playing "ba-dum-dum-dum-dah" while the piano is playing "pink-Plink!- plinkplinkplinkPLINK!", and Coltrane sounds like he is strangling geese in 5/4 time. Or is it 1/4 time? Who can tell. It is a terrible cacophony of a group of people playing what ever they want in the same room. Madness.
LOL. That's the way it is with Jazz. It was that way with me in the beginning when I didn't like any Jazz. It was that way when I learned to appreciate two or five albums, but nothing else. It was that way when I liked half of every possible Jazz sub-genre but couldn't take the other half. And it's still that way with some albums or types of Jazz for me.
In Jazz, if you don't "get" an album, it's impossible to like it because it will sound annoyingly cacophonous.
Two thumbs up for at least giving it another shot.
LOL. That's the way it is with Jazz. It was that way with me in the beginning when I didn't like any Jazz. It was that way when I learned to appreciate two or five albums, but nothing else. It was that way when I liked half of every possible Jazz sub-genre but couldn't take the other half. And it's still that way with some albums or types of Jazz for me.
In Jazz, if you don't "get" an album, it's impossible to like it because it will sound annoyingly cacophonous.
Two thumbs up for at least giving it another shot.
Well, I find it odd. I have always liked jazz, thanks to my Dad. There are some many jazz albums that I like and lisen to (although I don't post them here a lot). Hard bop, free-style, California, etc. So many different version of jazz! But this one?.......yeesh. I just can't do it.
LOL. That's the way it is with Jazz. It was that way with me in the beginning when I didn't like any Jazz. It was that way when I learned to appreciate two or five albums, but nothing else. It was that way when I liked half of every possible Jazz sub-genre but couldn't take the other half. And it's still that way with some albums or types of Jazz for me.
In Jazz, if you don't "get" an album, it's impossible to like it because it will sound annoyingly cacophonous.
Two thumbs up for at least giving it another shot.
On the other hand, I don't really "get" Jazz, but since I've listened to so much psych, experimental and noise rock, I don't have any problems listening to it and also get enjoyment out of it.
It’s been more hectic than usual at work and I had to finish a big project last night. At least I could do it at home after dining with Mrs. Ojai.
While I was casting about for a suitable soundtrack I remembered this Listening Cub pick, so I quickly dived in. Coltrane was an acquired taste for me, and this was one of the last records that I came to appreciate. Sounds like an interesting thread: “albums I love now but used to hate”.
I can identify with Nick’s perspective. In fact, I still feel that way about Bitches Brew. That one goes in my “hated it then, hate it now” thread. Folks with a long memory from the old board may remember my Impulse Records listening project. Listening to all of Trane’s albums in order of release allowed me to sneak up on ALS. As a result, I experienced an epiphany. Damn, this really is a fine rekkid, I said in my best Cub Koda voice.
Why? I dunno. It just clicks for me. Maybe because it’s a seamless suite that gives every member of the classic quartet plenty of room. Maybe because it finally put to vinyl the fulfillment of the sound that Coltrane heard in his head when everyone else thought he was nuts for filing his teeth to fit his sax. Maybe because it is the only album known to be inspired by Dix Hills, New York.
Sorry, but I gave this multiple re-listens. I DO like jazz, including some stuff that most jazz fans don't like ("Bitches Brew" anyone?). Which makes it all the odder that I *still* can't stomach this album. What am I missing? I have liked lots of other "bop" style jazz. Not this one. It sounds to me like everyone piled into the studio and Coltrane said "OK, guys, let's do this!" Someone then said "Do what?". Coltrane said "What ever the fuck you want!". I don't catch any connection between the players. Drums are playing "ba-dum-dum-dum-dah" while the piano is playing "pink-Plink!- plinkplinkplinkPLINK!", and Coltrane sounds like he is strangling geese in 5/4 time. Or is it 1/4 time? Who can tell. It is a terrible cacophony of a group of people playing what ever they want in the same room. Madness.
I hate it, but I'm here too. I respect that Coltrane is revered and that this album is somehow a masterpiece. But I guess I just don't know how to listen to this style of Jazz. I'm near the end of track 2, girding my loins for the 10+ minutes of track 3. At the moment I'm thinking that if we could just get rid of the piano and drums and enjoy the sax noodling by itself it might just work. But as it is, I have to admit that I'm listening to give it a fair shot, not because I'm enjoying it.
I don't listen to a lot of jazz but I do enjoy some other styles. I think mostly this style of improvisational jazz is over my head.
That one goes in my “hated it then, hate it now” thread. Folks with a long memory from the old board may remember my Impulse Records listening project. Listening to all of Trane’s albums in order of release allowed me to sneak up on ALS. As a result, I experienced an epiphany. Damn, this really is a fine rekkid, I said in my best Cub Koda voice. 
on the Sam-O-Meter. Or maybe just because it is.
