Coltrane. Can we talk?

kublakhan (great screen name!): no, i'm sure it ain't just you but, unfortunately, it doesn't include me. i have some coltrane stuff and i've tried, i really have, to embrace him. just not my cuppa'. after watching every single minute of ken burns' "jazz," tho, i have a greater understanding of coltrane's place in the cosmos. i do think it's wonderful to have a musical hero. stick to him and proselytize for all you're worth. that's how we learn. _kelly

I have a sample size of only one (MoFi: Blue Train) but I thinks it's an outstanding piece of work. Can you recommend the next Coltrane CD I should buy? Also, have been thinking of buying the XRCD version of Sonny Rollins Sax. Collosus, can you offer any insight? I 'm another one that got the Jazz bug reignited after the Ken Burns special. I've been on a Billy H., Louie A, and Ella etc. binge ever since.

Colossus is unbeleibable Sonny Rollins is just right for me. Coltrane is tough for some people (myself included) to listen to, but his work, hell everybody'e work on "Kind of Blue" with Miles and the rest is absolutely my favorite Jazz CD. Of course there's Dizzy, can't forget Dizzy Gillespie, play a lot of "Night In Tunisia.

I am very much a fan, his timing and musicality were unbeatable. Is he the best ever, I cannot say. Certainly among the top.

If you do not already have it, there is an exceptional release of Cannonball Adderley and Coltrane called: "Quintet In Chicago". It has been remastered to 24/96 and is quite reasonably priced. There is also a great XRCD2 release of Coltrane's "Settin the Pace".

As far as Sonny Rollins, Collosus gets my highest recommendation. He too is amazing.

Coltrane had a very advanced harmonic conception. Many other players are still catching up with his mastery of the 3 & 4 tonic systems. I would even go so far as to say he pushed Western music, harmonically, ahead a little, as other players are doing today. I like his playing, and I think he was a brilliant thinker as is evident through his improvisation. He also wrote some great tunes that will imortalize him. I have a couple dozen CD's at least of his or with him on them, ( I have a big collection). BUT, having said all that, he's not one of my favorite players. How can I say that? Well, while I've learned a lot from his playing, especially how he moved between equidistant tonal centers, in my opinion his playing was lacking in areas- areas that if were developed would have made him a more well rounded master of his instrument. I'd rather listen to Joe Henderson, wow. Or for a more 'modern' player, whatever the hell that means, listen to Jerry Bergonzi or George Garzone, both of whom took a lot from Trane, but both of who have their own thing going, AND have more control over more parameters of music, and their horns.