Jazz for aficionados
Everyone is in that Kind of Blue mode, not John Coltrane. WoW! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T0TZGvFv0Ew Super exited to hear the "new " Coltrane! |
acman, not to sound contrarian but for any artist as popular as Coltrane I wonder why a recording would be held back and not issued? Could it have been that Coltrane himself was not satisfied with it? Or someone at Impulse was disappointed? Contract issues? From what I read it was not lost, 'Trane himself had a copy of the tape. It seems he had enough clout to push for a release if he wanted to. And yet we hunger for more from favorite musicians after they are gone. So there can be a ready market for "anything" that has a delayed release. Maybe we'll be lucky and it is an unheard masterpiece. I admit I do enjoy the Monk/Coltrane concert recording discovered a couple of years ago, so not all "newly discovered" tapes are second rate. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dgq_QZ74VI0 Listening will tell all. ;^) |
I too am very excited about hearing this new record. I understand why there may be some skepticism about the importance of this recording. However, I have a different take; hence my excitement. Much of my thinking is based on conjecture, but....... I cannot believe that ANY recording by Trane with THAT quartet can possibly be second rate. The one clip that I have heard is anything but second rate. Every reference that I have read mentions that the master tape was “lost”, and all the commentary by musicians who have heard it in its entirely are positive. I believe that it is entirely possible that the master tape was lost for the following reasons that a little sleuthing (I love this stuff) suggest might be possible: - From 1962 to 1964 Trane recorded 14 (!) records; all but two as a leader. A lot of records. - From 1962 to 1964 “Impulse” Records released 133 (!!!!) recordings. - Yes, Trane had a copy of the master tape. However, it was not in his possession; he had given it to his wife. Importantly, and I think this may be the key, the record was made in 1963...the same year that he and his wife separated. He moved out and moved in with Alice before he and Naima were divorced. Anyone who has been in a similar situation knows how chaotic it can be. To me, it’s completely plausible that a record label (and artist) could “lose” a recording. Looking forward to hearing it; the proof is in the listening. |
frog, thanks for your expansion on the potential quality/importance of this recording and possible reasons for it being "lost". Under those circumstances I might guess he gave the tape(s) to Naima before they separated. With the typical chaos that involves I can’t imagine him doing that afterwards. Still, most jazz musicians, even Miles, were not making big $ in the early ’60s. So it would seem reasonable that Trane would have wanted everything released which he approved. Plus the sidemen from that recording would have no doubt ask about a release since it meant some money to them too. So even in the confusion of his personal/marital life at the time it is difficult for me to believe Coltrane simply forgot about it. And more importantly, what bearing did his personal life have on Impulse and their normal production for new release and distribution? But all that is conjecture now and has little bearing about today’s worth and appreciation for this new release. As I said before, the listening will now tell all. |
