John Coltrane "Body And Soul"

Coltrane recorded only a few standards when he was with Atlantic Records, and "Body and Soul", a warhorse for tenor players had to be among them.
Musicians:
John Coltrane (tenor sax), McCoy Tyner (piano), Steve Davis (bass), Elvin Jones (drums).
Composed by Johnny Green, Edward Heyman, Robert Sour & Frank Eyton
Recorded: New York, October 24, 1960

[@cidneyoliver4706]

Can you imagine what it took for ; a black American, male jazz artist to cross over during his tenure? This is precisely why I have nothing but respect for Sir Coltrane. He was an; innovator, wordsmith, artist, cultivator, and revolutionary artist.

[@thomasarneson4511]

Miles too.

[@extanegautham8950]

Cross ever? fro what to what? on wordsmith, did he write at all? and in what way was he more revolutionary than Satch, Pres, Bird, Bud, Lennie T?

[@ironcomic]

If you gotta ask that than you wont understand, listen to the soul

[@Muziekgenot]

This music is like life itself. He was a true genius, so happy we've got his great heritage. May this never be forgotten.

[@MarkParker]

Absolutely.

[@Knosferatu]

+Muziekgenot agreed. It's so organic.

[@musicformonsters]

It's perfect...

[@kenkovar2647]

trane lives

[@Huxlei_mind]

The voicing of McCoy Tyner are incredibile

[@The_Mallcop]

McCoy Tyner completely owns this recording. That solo, its just goes places.

[@shawndimery]

Alexander Alegre Agreed, RIP the master

[@GregoryLuce]

Yes!

[@kenkovar2647]

he shines for sure

[@warnergazette6317]

He's so great!

[@johngraves6610]

I agree...he is mesmerizing!

[@Bbmin0rBmaj0r]

To each their own, but I choose this as my favorite rendition of Body and Soul. Coltrane makes this song cool as ice, and he doesn't over-dramatize his tone or lines. He sounds expressive but at the same time as sophisticated and dignified as possible.

[@poppopartist3870]

Coleman Hawkins

[@meezydarko]

bird

[@pogchamp7983]

@@meezydarko YES

[@johnnyloungejazz5477]

Listen to Phil Wood’s playing this song, A masterpiece also.

[@kenkovar2647]

@@poppopartist3870 the classic, the standard of standards, why so many jazz artists covered it!!!

[@Nobox-eg7qu]

Been listening to this song on repeat while driving to and from work for awhile now, seems to be the only song I’ll ever need…

[@SherifGamal0]

A legend never dies.

[@maddog75a]

The right kind of spiritual. It touches something deep , pure. Without blemish like light spread across the universe. Radiant.

[@CamiloRestrepo-dy5vz]

When this piece begins, my ears transport me to feelings never experienced in my life. In a few words, my soul recovers from many pains experienced😢

[@timotot123]

John Coltrane was a very special human being with a profound sense of music...and had the ability to convey the language to the masses

[@royalhartigan]

to the spirits and beyond, dear john, elvin, steve, and mccoy, thank you for giving me and thousand/millions of others a light in this life of shadows..... in spirit and music forever...

[@sonnytrane]

I will echo what a few others have said here. McCoy Tyner's solo on this take is brilliant. Everything just feels so right and flows so beautifully. As for Trane, this is another part of his genius that some don't understand. His ability to take the melody,embellish it without being dishonest in his voice. Many greats have this and pay respect to the original composers just by acknowledging the song as part of their set or repertoire. More importantly, Trane sits back and lets McCoy have the main solo and then he takes it out coming back in to finish the song.Yes, it is not totally played note for note and measure for measure according to jazz standard enthusiasts but the voice is there with respect, as is his sound.

[@GregoryLuce]

Well said! Listen to any of his takes on My Favorite Things. Or the beautifully restrained way he backs Johnny Hartmann. His humility is as appealing as his genius.

[@AfterwardDeified]

Wonderful analysis

[@ariellemorris]

its coltrane, not trane.

[@tarusprentice7782]

Driving thru downtown Dallas with the top down listening to this. U can't possibly chill harder than this. Beautiful song

[@roddricearmstrong3087]

I'm 44 and this puts me in another world 👍👍

[@giordanopagotto7940]

Just so no one tells they "don't know the chords": This is a reharmonisation of Body and Soul. 1) The A sections are mostly modal (just listen to the Ab pedal the bass) with a few tonal progressions here and there, specially before they repeat the theme. The melody is adapted to the new harmony, that's why the "For you I cry, for you dear only" part is different. Kind of what they did to "My Favourite Things". 2) The B section is tonal but also modified. Just listen for example to 1:14 where they play the so called "Contrane changes" (famous used in Giant Steps) , then again at 1:30 No intention to be a snob here, just sharing some info about it that might help some to understand it a bit better.

[@amd77j]

Thanks!

[@killerbiene243]

Giordano Pagotti Thanks, I really thought they lost their real books before recording

[@giordanopagotto7940]

Well, there are many comments below that mention their "inability to play the song right"... So I guess many people taught that...

[@rillloudmother]

Giordano Pagotti for real? what rocks are these folks living under?

[@UkuleleAversion]

+Giordano Pagotti How do the Coltrane changes- from Giant Steps -work again? I'd like to learn them on my instrument.

[@jimgallanis7026]

Best ending I've ever heard on a jazz ballad, from Trane's legato phrases to McCoy Tyner's last echoing note. Simply breathtaking.

[@renandias7926]

Just a small correction my friend, best ending ever in human existence, came straight from heaven. Second comes " Havona", Jaco Pastorius, Weather Report.

[@dbuckter8994]

As close to jazz perfection as it needs ever to get.

[@Knosferatu]

So magical. This is beauty.

[@natewhitmal6902]

They give an old chestnut new life; a triumph of creativity. Bravo!

[@johnnyloungejazz5477]

What a beautiful human being.

[@damionpearson3615]

This is really great feel good music by black legendary musicians they out did themselves making feel good about myself already!

[@axyshay]

Elvin Jones is the man.

[@nicolaischmidt368]

Yes! What an absolute treasure he was!

[@Yrr666]

Saw them in Munich early 70's and Elvin came on stage late and when he started to play his kit walked away from him on the slick floor. He instructed crew to bring hammer and nails and proceeded to hammer his drums into place. Awesome performance at the Deutsches Museum.

[@raymondsmith4470]

The immortal trane .God I loved his music

[@kinglydone6785]

Coltrane & Tyner WoW Tyner really held his own but both didn’t overshadow one another. And they Swing 👌🏾

[@royalhartigan]

deep, beyond, the gift given us by a great tradition and culture. in spirit and music,

[@kevinstewart3029]

The Gospel of John

[@royalhartigan]

@@kevinstewart3029 true, a visionary.

[@titchner211c]

I agree. McCoy is great on the song!! I met him once in New York around 1981. He was really nice guy.

[@markopaul556]

McCoy Tyner really stands out on this version!

[@geraldjohnson848]

Sept.23: Happy birthday John Coltrane (1926-1967) thank you and God bless. RIP, 'Trane

[@c.thompson6638]

One of my favorites by JC. I am always inspired listening to his masterful take of this classic standard. The man had chops to inspire all of us here for those to come.

[@kindell1]

Coltrane and Miles are the Kings of Jazz ❤️

[@JoanCartwright]

This musician leaves NOTHING to the imagination! Soulful to a TEeeeeeeeeee!

[@Stubummer]

I like most jazz but this the pinnacle of awesome!

[@darkgamer555al]

I always loved how Mr.Coltrane ends his pieces 🥹

[@metallothionein9]

Breathtakingly brilliant

[@SZonca]

I'm all fo you...Body and Soul...

[@cyrillecoupez532]

Le meilleur son que l'on puisse entendre. Coltrane dit ce qu'il fallait dire et comment il faut le dire.

[@billystrayhornsghost]

The best take on this tune.Pure perfection!!!.....I love the end of this classic piece.Coltrane owns it.

[@lifestraight]

I certainly used to listen to this on my Friday morning train rides to work. Nice way to cap off the work week.

[@kenkovar2647]

consummate musician, John Coltrane... as Roland Kirk put it, he left us with songs to learn

[@lindamullen2228]

It's been a long since I listened to Coltrane. Wow his music is amazing. Thank you for sharing

[@kenkovar2647]

music for the ages baby!!!

[@AfMerikan01]

That is the greatest version of "Body and Soul" ..and,the most beautiful thing I will ever remember other then the sound of your sweet voice ..'til the moment I die! smile. BondSt.Boo

[@poppopartist3870]

No Coleman Hawkins

[@labanachecklowery5662]

I haven't heard this since 2005 tho I know its a 50 year old song but I loves this song :-)

[@MarkParker]

A-men to that!

[@JoRei953]

Everything Trane played was sublimely unique.

[@toddfance3924]

This version of this song was the first I had ever heard. But after listing to the original, I like this one the most. It's just mesmerizing!

[@MrPusch]

This is just so incredible, what Coltrane did to add flavor to this wonderful tune...with little things adding this modal touch he changed the world from a Broadway Song- a beautiful one off course with lovely changes, into a work of art! Thank you John...this will make it ethernal Klaus-Werner Pusch

[@olebirgerpedersen]

Beatyful with great respect for the tune itself .

[@DavidGreen-gs6bn]

The creme dela creme of American classical music at its zenith.

[@alejandrobello5288]

¡Nunca habrá otro Coltraine! maestro.

[@isaiasbilondo]

Sensacional....não há nada igual....Coltrane sempre!

[@MarimaruXD]

Wow....there really are people who believed that these giants don't know the chords of a famous standard......

[@MrDamojak]

What do you mean?

[@vatanenj]

These changes are known as "Coltrane Changes" played by, for example Dexter Gordon ad also by Esperanza with Brazilian words...

[@zitacarno4443]

There are a lot of famous standards like that. People keep asking "Don't you know the changes?" Well, I used to work with the Coltrane reharmonizations on so many of them that when people would ask me if I knew this or that tune I would reply "Do you want it plain---or sappy---or a little more interesting?"

[@kenkovar2647]

@@zitacarno4443 exactly!!

[@paxwallace8324]

​​@@vatanenj they aren't Coltrane changes certainly not what everybody calls Coltrane changes. Like Giant Steps or Countdown which are functional these are modal forthy roaming I'm pretty sure McCoy contributed these. These would fall under the osposes of mid century modern reharmonization I reckon. But classic Coltrane changes might go Bmaj D7 Gmaj Bb7 Ebmaj etcetera

[@Ldelcasale]

God has spoken.

[@cfalcon8342]

best version of body and soul

[@SELMER1947]

Sorry but there are others great versions

[@pickanameify]

Mcoy Tyner solo just kills it

[@beverleyjohnson8929]

I love all of Coltrane songs

[@moukaouame]

C'est et ce sera toujours un vrai bonheur d'écouter le grand John.. Merci, car je ne connaissais pas ce morceau.....

[@mixologymix]

Amazing... words are void for moments like this ... Let the instrument Praise :)

[@suhnoonibrahim1686]

thank you!

[@AfterwardDeified]

A story without words

[@jimbosteen2935]

Just wow never heard this recording, shit man I wish my dad was alive to hear this , he loved model playing, his fav by far

[@MarkParker]

Absolutely.

[@abrahampalmer1153]

Extremely blissful😉😇🎷

[@murielwelch7033]

My heart is sad & lonely . It's you I pine for you dear only,

[@murielwelch7033]

I'd rather surrender for you dear only.

[@magaleecraveiro]

John Coltrane- tenor sax , McCoy Tyner- piano Steve Davis-bass Elvin Jones- drums

[@marlonbain2488]

yeah i like the way mccoy set the tone for this song

[@xumpagogo]

A wonderful version. So nice to listen to the different versions of this oldie. I like this as much as Hawkins' and Prez's version.

[@Garramedia]

I recommend you to listen also the Chu Berry version with an astonishing and perfect trumpet solo by Roy Eldridge...

[@kenkovar2647]

let's not forget Prez baby!!

[@dbuckter8994]

Excellent choice of images and direction thereof. Thank you!

[@MarkParker]

Thanks for the comment.

[@donnajasie3875]

Pure perfection.

[@stephanomarr6829]

JOHN COLTRANE, AT HIS very BEST MUSIC YOU CAN imagine BEING FOREVER YOUNG, every THING is FABULOUS.....PS LOVING IT TO LIFE.....

[@sophieusa3862]

Excellent 👍👏🎷🎶🙏🕊

[@hughpeters2712]

Isn't this just so fine.....

[@amd77j]

Coltrane. Nothing else need be said....

[@vancepalmvocals]

What fools are saying these giants don't know the chords? Silly weaklings with hair in their ears. Tyner and Trane...Davis and Jones = greatness. I saw Elvin Jones and Ravi Coltrane in London, in 1996...wow.

[@MarkParker]

Absolutely.

[@charlesbarry2485]

One of the greatest sax players.

[@drumtwo4seven]

Thank you for uploading this. What a great song especially this version played by John Coltrane. Awesome - Thank You! That is NOT Elvin Jones in the picture from 4:10 to 4:40 however. And yes to a John Coltrane and Elvin Jones fan that does kind of offend me (in a way). True Coltrane did many sessions as well away from his own quartet, but on THIS recording it is Elvin Jones playing drums. An equally important detail.

[@georgesprudente3942]

Thanks. RIP Trane.

[@wagstaffe7]

There will never be another like "Train."

[@89Caprice]

I have lost faith in humanity, because there are 18 dislikes on this video. I can't possibly imagine why, though. Who could not like this?

[@iamjp1]

seems like a bit of an exaggeration

[@iamjp1]

and i can name a few. maybe because some people don't have your exact taste in music, or they prefer a different version they heard first, therefore this wasn't as good to them, or they simply do not like the song. it's not hard to have different opinions on music, and everyone should.

[@whodhavethoughtit3784]

@@iamjp1 well said! Everybody's got opinions, and my opinion does not have to mirror anyone else's. In a nutshell...

[@imbees2]

There we go, JOHN COLTRANE

[@mateolopez4611]

one of the best post ever

[@donbuck8110]

There's a version of this on a record called alternate takes that came out in 1974. Got it when I was 16. It"s even better this if you can believe that

[@remibienvenu]

Agree. Je suis d'accord avec vous.

[@onesyphorus]

Thanks for noting this! will check this out!

[@royalhartigan]

there is a 13-pulse rhythm played three times at 5:06-5:14 in the rhythm section prior to the last fermatas. it is divided 3-2-3-3-2, a beautiful heartbeat closing the performance, felt together as one.

[@onesyphorus]

holy! you're right. that:s damn cool!

[@royalhartigan]

@@onesyphorus yes it is a deep sense of rhythm in time, in spirit and music!

[@jacktaylor1516]

I know most people are gonna say Coleman on this one but for some reason, I prefer this version.

[@Invinciblebass432]

Thanks for posting! I'm making a playlist of jazz standards this is the first Coltrane song

[@udomatthiasdrums5322]

still love his music!!

[@javierazmat4498]

¡Por Dios, qué belleza!

[@mariferspinoza4945]

javier Azmat me emociona tanto leer un comentario en español

[@michaelthompson6452]

I love John Coltrane but I'm here listening to his versions of Body and Soul ,after listening to Dexter. version.

[@toyjazz]

Love McCoy Tyner‘s comping

[@disciple7863]

A song to comfort someone who bought a remastered packaged record of giant steps, and when tried to play it, could visibly see the warping.

[@NuageAuSol]

Wow this is just perfection. Love, strange feelings and mystery.. McCoy Tyner is a good follower in the road that Coltrane want to pursue!

[@edouardsulpice1267]

Lucas Pellarin Salut je t'ai retrouvé :3

[@NuageAuSol]

FUCK!

[@edouardsulpice1267]

Lucas Pellarin La musique est très jolie

[@edouardsulpice1267]

C'est qui le chanteur ?

[@NuageAuSol]

C'est Eddy Mitchell, là, il s'est plutôt surpassé

[@junkbot2.1]

McCoy is caressing my right ear

[@kevinlkeys]

McCoy played the hell out of that piano:-)

[@markjennings2605]

I like to listen to Art Pepper playing this classic and then listen to this. Both sublime and totally different.

[@sahraomar5141]

legend🎷🎵

[@fredressler]

His tone alone. Not like other's round bell tone. Sounded almost like each note was two notes in one. Minor/ dissonant like the horn of a blue Coal Train. Ironic. Must have picked that name before he incarnated. Beyond a master.

[@wyndhleodumegwu253]

Je suis d'accord avec vous. Agree! Spiritual, Oriental, Solid, Agile, Soulful, Emotional, Passionate, Surrealistic... What can I say? His Blues has gotten to my head, heart and soul, John Coltrane's.

[@maggiessong]

i like your thinking here on Coltran'es tone. he spoils me for just about anyone else.

[@wyndhleodumegwu253]

+Maggie Evans Yeah, he indeed has done it to so many of us!

[@clarkewi]

Beyond compare.

[@JAMESDARLAYS]

The best version I like.

[@4071faye]

WOW X

[@teomace4052]

Tout en retenue. Merci, merci, merci !

[@paxandrews]

heaven

[@titchner211c]

This just beautiful.What else is there to say?

[@ginagraziano6914]

Lovely

[@johndeclefpineiro7372]

Wow, Alex, there's a lot you don't understand about jazz, improvisation and interpretation. All the chords and the melody are there, but there's a lot more there also that derives from the suggestive, interactive, and imaginative give-and-take of musicians recreating in the moment. If you want it straight, unembellished and as-written, sure, you can have that, you can find that. But what is much rarer to find is the spontaneous, collaborative reprocessing of the printed page -- that's special, that's precious, and that's jazz.

[@alexrevell8114]

John, After playing and listening to jazz for over sixty years, I think I know a little about it. If you read my previous comments, you'll see that I in no way want a 'straight, unblemished and as written' version. The melody is not there, neither do the chords suggest or underlay that melody. Listen to any of the great jazz players who had respect for the melody and improvised on it. You can always hear that underlying melody and chord structure. I don't hear in the Coltrane version any 'collaborative reprocessing of the printed page' - whatever that might mean. I hear players not listening to each other. If Coltrane didn't want to give at least a nod to the beautiful melody of B&S, why didn't he just call it something else. A cool crisp day with the leaves falling, perhaps. Sidney Bechet, who I think knew a little about jazz, always said: 'Make love to the melody'. Lester Young, said that to interpret a song one should know the lyrics. I don't think Coltrane knew either, or cared.

[@pleximanic]

alex revell You need to open your soul man!

[@johndeclefpineiro7372]

alex revell "After playing and listening to jazz for over sixty years" My apologies to you, Alex, if I didn't sense that from your comments. No disrespect intended. As I reflect on this further, your comments remind me that what one expects can either be a more or less fine filter. In other words, our expectations can predetermine what comes through in any given situation or experience. Of course, there's no point in debating tastes. But the useful thing to me about this exchange is that it prompts an awareness of individual filters that determine what comes through and what is or isn't acceptable. All of us are like artists around a tree, and while we may be drawing the same tree, our points of view will result in different trees.

[@alexrevell8114]

John de Clef Piñeiro Hello John, Regardless of my expectations, I opened the Coltrane B&S hoping to discover another version - by a tenor player - of this beautiful song, much as I did several years ago now when I first heard the Lucky Thompson version, which for me surpassed the famous Hawkins version. What I heard was a severe disappointment. I had no preconceived ideas of what to expect. Unlike, I suspect, those who make such judgements, that I 'need to smoke some weed, man; I have a hole in my soul, or Coltrane is God. To my mind, people who make such comments are conditioned by C's reputation and have no musical validity. To take your tree analogy. I'd take a Degas or a Renoir rendition over a Jackson Pollock any day! Alex

[@throckmorton3705]

yeah, this works. sounds like the structure used for round midnight and dexter gordon's version. i can hear mccoy tyner in mclaughlin's (sp) playing. of course dexter is more melodic but he manages to wander nicely. don't need any more straight-ahead versions of this, except maybe in the classroom. . .