John Coltrane: Essential albums

[@johnwilson1689]

One thing I've always been amazed about Andy Edwards is that even though he's a drummer he has such a thorough knowledge of chords and music theory. One would think he's a keyboardist.

[@arnaudb.7669]

Great video! Other fantastic Coltrane albums : "Transition", "Africa/Brass", "Olé", "First Meditations" and the sublime "Crescent".

[@randydoak6638]

John Coltrane Quartet Plays Chim Chim Cheree will melt your face. I love all of Trane's stages of evolution, but 1965 was a really good year.

[@sussyboy69420]

Same here. 1965 was just something else

[@WorcesterTerrariums]

Oh man, please do more on the big jazz artists! You introduced me to Coltrane back in 2011, I went and bought loads of his albums after one of your lessons and it really shaped my musical taste. I'm a huge fan of his Hard Bop era, especially the album Blue Train. Not only is Coltrane on fire on it, but Lee Morgan and Curtis Fuller play some of the best solos I've ever heard on Locomotion and I'm Old Fashioned. Really looking forward to your future content.

[@AndyEdwardsDrummer]

I am thinking of expanding slowly here to cover more straight jazz artists

[@chrisdelisle3954]

Have you heard the album "Soultrane," yet. It's got "Russian Lullaby" on it. And "Good Bait." And his original version of "I Want To Talk About You." Also, his records with Red Garland in 1957/8 and Miles Davis (from 1955-1960) are amazing. Not to mention everything else he did from 1959-1965.

[@dbarker7794]

Yeah man, Soultrane is a great one.

[@dennismason3740]

In the mid-nineties I found a photo of John playing shakuhachi in his airliner seat. What did I learn from building 3 shakuhachi years later? One Note Perfect. John picked up the traditional Japanese flute in the last year of his life.

[@douglasanderson8636]

No mention of "Olê Coltrane" ? A great "gateway'album.

[@goodknight37]

Absolutely. One of my favorites

[@brianduarte6449]

Great video Andy! Love to here you're musically analytical thoughts on your favourite music

[@Darrylizer1]

John Coltrane was my gateway drug to jazz. I would add Transition. That one just floors me. Great list Andy!

[@RileyRampant]

Lush Life is one of my favorite Coltrane albums.

[@jamesreckling6697]

Yes! Live At Birdland is brilliant! I am surprised that you picked this one as it is my favorite as well!

[@lyndonaldridge6437]

I’ve been watching you for a couple of months all your output is entertaining keep it up and well done. Thank you

[@AndyEdwardsDrummer]

Much appreciated

[@jdewey8841]

This is amazing Andy! I'm actually taking notes. Thanx!

[@AndyEdwardsDrummer]

Glad it was helpful!

[@Rick-jg8vx]

I’m a huge John Coltrane fan I remember I love supreme just changing the way I listen to music I loved it so much. I ended up buying about 35 of his albums to capture that feeling. I loved none as much and I never quite did but he certainly had plenty of albums that I love. But what I really wanted to say yes I agree with you 100% on meditations. I really enjoyed, listening to where ascension is just a very difficult listen

[@stereo999]

Good selection. Interstellar Space is awesome. I'm also partial to the earlier hard bop Coltrane work (especially the 1958 sessions box set). There was also a posthumous release First Meditation for Quartet, an earlier more accessible version of Meditations which I'd recommend you to seek out if you haven't heard it already

[@curtdilger6235]

I love your insight about Coltrane's spiritual pursuit of truth and the purity of his creative approach. I agree it is one of the key distinguishing factors of his contribution to both jazz and art. I'm not a fan of his later stuff, but the point for me is that he is at the outer reaches of exploration and no longer has to appeal to anything other than the specific terms of his pursuit. Cheers and thanks for your work.

[@paulclarkson2614]

Never forget when I first heard A Love Supreme. I was 19. Bought a second hand copy £2.50. It was pristine (someone didn’t like it obv. I’ve still got it. The rhythm! The intensity. It’s almost structured like a prog rock album. A concept album. I explored him after that. I also like the Africa Brass Sessions. I’d recommend that. It’s actually a beautiful recording.

[@wagstaff6135]

I love this guide. My own favorite Coltrane to listen to most of the time is the predecessor to A Love Supreme, which is Crescent. Still A Love Supreme is more of the desert-island pick (!). I love your traversal here of Impressions and especially Live at Birdland, too -- totally agree with all of this. Do you know "First Meditations"? It's a step less donkey-killing, at least....

[@AndyEdwardsDrummer]

I nearly put Cresent in as the best recorded classic quartet album. The production is fantastic. That one is very mellow too. I have checked out First Meditations and remember it was like a classic quartet version of Meditations. This final version of the more freer version of the classic quartet I represented by Live in Paris which has a phenomenal version of Ascension.

[@wagstaff6135]

@@AndyEdwardsDrummer Indeed Crescent is a step or two more "mellow"... to me it prettyi much as deep as anything though. And yes your reasoning for choosing Meditations and Live in Paris (and not First Meditations) is perfect; that and Meditations is the record Coltrane intended to put out! I just wondered if you'd listened to it.... I love it a lot, too!

[@armandom28]

Excellent

[@domielakrabi3276]

Lovely done video about one of the greatest musicians ever! I hope some people will go and listen to this great artist after this presentation! My favorites are "Crescent", "Love Supreme" and the follow up "J.C. Quartet plays" - he had a incredible run of albums around 64-65 A great early example of his playing in the Miles Quintet is "My Funny Valentine" on Cookin' if I'm not mistaken

[@chrisdelisle3954]

I love everything he recorded from 1955 - 1965. I'm not a huge fan of the Live In Japan...hour-long version of "My Favorite Things" and some of that stuff post-McCoy & Elvin Jones. I do love "Interstellar Space" with Rashied Ali. My favorites are probably "Sun Ship" and "Transition" from 1965. But I would agree with Andy in regards to most of his selections as the first albums to go to: Blue Train, Giant Steps, My Favorite Things, Live In Birdland, and A Love Supreme. I'd also recommend everything he did with Miles in 1955 and 1956. And don't forget his record with Thelonious Monk, "Thelonious Monk & John Coltrane" with "Trinkle Tinkle," "Nutty" and "Ruby My Dear."

[@ursula3438]

Andy, great presentation, but you forgot to mention "Ballads". Maybe for a free jazz or a jazz rock guy, it might be seem too traditional, but aside from "A Love Supreme", it's the one Coltrane album, that is literally flawless. Also it's always super interesting, when an adventurous band like the quartet tackles the standards (they serve as a benchmark in jazz after all), similar to Miles 2nd quintett on some of their live stuff like "Miles In Berlin" or "Plugged Nickel".

[@stephenbarrow3352]

I thought I was just a casual Jazz fan but I find I have most of the albums you mentioned.

[@dkeener13]

good list and good thoughts. if there's a glaring omission for me, it would be that there's no representation (or mention) of his work with Thelonious Monk, which is one of the really great pairings in the history of jazz, and really formative as far as his harmonic approach post-sheets-of-sound.

[@jelk1188]

No true Coltrane fan would dispute your choices as being a very objective selection of how Coltrane developed and what he's about. Personally, Coltrane becomes too monotonous for me at the very end of his extreme - Interstellar Space, or as I would rename it 'Coltrane Trying to Split the Atom With his Soloing.' But it is part of his story, as you rightly suggest, and an important part of where he was headed. Cheers, and thanks again for a very informed and educated presentation.

[@joewilley8818]

Thank you so much for this Andy. Could you do a video like this for Herbie? Also, what jazz history books would you recommend. Loving your content.

[@AndyEdwardsDrummer]

If you start somewhere then Joachim Berendt 'Jazz' is a great place to start. For fusion read Jazz Rock: a History by Stuart Nicholson

[@joewilley8818]

@@AndyEdwardsDrummer Thanks for replying Andy. I out them on my list.

[@guillaumechabason3165]

I enjoy Om usually during my breakfast

[@arnaudb.7669]

Maybe one day a video about the amazing solo career of McCoy Tyner? ;o) Albums like "Sahara", "Fly with the Wind" (with Billy Cobham on drums!), "Atlantis", "Song for my Lady", "Focal Point", "The Real McCoy" are STELLAR!!!!

[@AndyEdwardsDrummer]

I love those albums...Alphonse on Sahara is just beyond belief

[@arnaudb.7669]

@@AndyEdwardsDrummer The mighty Mouzon!

[@mattf9076]

Thank you SO MUCH!! for the McCoy Tyner - Sahara mention. Fuck is Tyner on a mission on that album, I just picture him with a pissed off face and fire coming out of his hands. It is Raw, Ruthless, and Relentless. I listened to it today and I was going to listen to it again immediately after and I couldn't, my mind wouldn't be able to deal with it again. Sometime in the next few days I am going to hit it again. Again Thanks man!!

[@arnaudb.7669]

@@mattf9076 You're welcome. =)

[@davidcarr2216]

Very useful Andy, 'Ive had people asked me which Trane albums they should listen to, and I always say I don't really know. The choices are bewildering. I tend to prefer him in more of a sideman roll or making albums with other muscians so I want to know more about Trane recommendations also.

[@paulmcquillan1827]

Excellent overview of the great man's work. There is also a second version of Meditations (released posthumously) recorded which is equally rewarding. Personally, I would put Ascension on the same level as A Love Supreme. An amazing response to Ornette's Free Jazz album. I also love the second Village Vanguard album from 1966, perhaps the best distillation of what Coltrane was trying to achieve with his new group. This album contains probably his finest Naima. The later Live in Japan is also very rewarding but suffered, I feel from Alice's extended piano solos. Interstellar Space, however, is a masterpiece and is perhaps the clearest indication of the clarity of form he was trying to achieve in his music.

[@AndyEdwardsDrummer]

I always thought Meditations was the greatest work by his final period.

[@oolongoolong789]

Since you touch on John Coltrane's spiritual side, perhaps you could do a video called 'Spiritual Jazz: Essential Albums'. Albert Ayler, Pharoah Sanders, Alice Coltrane, Sun Ra, Don Cherry, Lonnie Liston Smith, etc.

[@SmartDave60]

On Live at the Village Vanguard Again, Pharaoh Sanders stole the show.

[@nickfryearson1531]

Brilliant video Andy. Arguably the most influential American musician in history... and I think that underrates him! I've always loved his impulse quintet albums that changed music forever! and always been fascinated by the fact he was treated as an important artist in Europe, playing prestigious concert halls but had to struggle to get recognised in the US playing jazz clubs! It's amazing listening to these incredible musical flights of genius while people are ordering drinks at the bar or chatting away paying no attention. Unbelievable. Thanks again Andy.

[@AndyEdwardsDrummer]

I really hope this video is popular as I would love to do more about Jazz artists. I think Louis was probably the greatest musician on the last century. I would put Duke and Miles in there, then Parker and Monk. I would love to do videos on these, especially their influence on music now.

[@nickfryearson1531]

@@AndyEdwardsDrummer Definitely! I love Miles,Coltrane, Monk and Mingus but have a limited knowledge of other Jazz artists. It would be brilliant to have your expert opinion on this and broaden my knowledge and musical education, just as you have in the field of fusion, again an area you have really opened my eyes and ears too. The only problem is my bank account is taking a battering! Thanks again and all the very best. Cannot wait to hear your review of A Kind Of Blue.

[@mattf9076]

@@AndyEdwardsDrummer I have Holdsworth as the greatest musician ever. Most influential, most important? No. I could ramble on forever about that man, but I want to keep it short.

[@AndyEdwardsDrummer]

@@mattf9076 I love Holdsworth but in terms of influence, innovation etc. I would say Louie Armstrong was the greatest.

[@mattf9076]

@@AndyEdwardsDrummer I saw on your website you give lessons, do you also do discussions/approach/philosophy?

[@devereauxclandestine1272]

Back when I was just getting into jazz as a teenager I came across a John Coltrane album in a second hand record shop. I had heard of him but never heard any of his music so I bought it. The album was Ascension - not perhaps the best starting point for the newcomer.Still it opened up my ears and nothing I ever heard after that sounded too weird or difficult.

[@AndyEdwardsDrummer]

It's not just the music with that album, It's the epicness of just one track like that. The intensity is so prolonged. It's a hard listen and there are a lot of solos to get through to. It has nothing on Machine Gun by Peter Brotzmann however! I feel a video on free jazz coming on....

[@devereauxclandestine1272]

@@AndyEdwardsDrummer I never heard Machine Gun till much later and was more used to the free jazz stuff,If you do feel a free jazz video coming on you should give in to that 'Impulse'. Sorry, I'll get my coat. : )

[@CharlesAustin]

Another great special video .. Such an important review of the magnum ‘opus-er’ John Coletrane .. (Cole-TRANE). Thank you again: brilliant insightful and informative !!

[@feralsanders]

It's utterly fascinating to me that a very common viewpoint on the listenability of A Love Supreme is easier than Accession. The idea makes sense to me superficially, but honestly, I have a much easier time listening to Accession virtually any day of the week. As for your suggestions, nice! I'd only augment it with Live at The Village Vanguard Complete (4-CD set) from the same year. This "complete" release is rare in the sense it isn't watered down with dispensable or inferior tracks... very much like Keith Jarrett's Live at the Blue Note Complete.

[@tiborosz1825]

I consider myself a Coltrane follower but I am not afraid to say his free jazz era was crap. I will not force myself to be a fan of the artist but instead pf the music. On another note Coltreane's Sound is underrated and so is his collaboration with Milt Jackson, Bags and Trane.

[@docbobster]

Meditations is one of my favorites, but I especially like "Early Meditations"-- an early recording of Meditations with just the quartet. Slightly different track lists. Might be hard to find, but it was a legit album, not a bootleg. A bit more accessible than Meditations -- mostly just because Pharoah's braying on the latter can get tiresome.

[@AndyEdwardsDrummer]

RIP Pharoah

[@docbobster]

@@AndyEdwardsDrummer Sorry, I didn't mean to diss Pharoah -- I have a lot of his later albums which I love.

[@PerryPapanier]

I would add Giants Steps as one of the greatest Jazz albums n the first Coltrane one to get.

[@AndyEdwardsDrummer]

I would say A Love Supreme and My Favourite Things are even greater.

[@PerryPapanier]

I don't agree. Giants Steps is an essential starting point for Jazz musicians n fans alike.

[@adbadhed]

I completely disagree with half of these choices, too much free stuff. You haven't mentioned Crescent, Ole, Duke Ellington & John Coltrane, Coltranes sound. Or any of the stuff on Prestige. That early album Lush life. wtf m8

[@chrismacdougall4646]

Start a channel!

[@adbadhed]

@@chrismacdougall4646 I wouldn't have a clue, a bit like you m8

[@davidlee6720]

Johnny hates jazz, never got farther than Dave Brubeck and Miles, music took a Wrong-turning for me . Enjoy in small doses ,watch mainly because you are a character and not self-important for all of your knowledge. Horses for courses. I know that they are great musicians but it is all a bit like Jackson Pollock to me. You either love him or hate him.