Coltrane's Giant Steps is, to put it simply, the finest modern jazz album ever issued. I love my Stan Getz, Dexter Gordon, Wardell Gray, Sonny Rollins - even Miles' jazz albums - like a mother loves her kids but, Giant Steps is so much more. It is the definitive tenor/soprano saxophone album. Show me the man who can better Trane's solo on the title track then I will crown him Count, Duke, Earl, King, President, Sir - and that's just for starters!
So, when them upstairs announced the issue of a super-duper 60 year anniversary set of double CDs/LPs with lots of alternative takes I thought, do I need this? I decided that I didn't! I'm sure it will all be wonderful - even the uncompleted tracks. It's a bit like paying to hear someone practising.
I've got albums of alternative takes by Parker and others and I don't recall where one was better than the issued version.
Nevertheless, I guess those who must have everything, warts and all, will want it. Me, I'll just set the speed to 33 and lower the record arm to find the groove on my original piece of Atlantic vinyl and then sit back and relax without even wondering if he had done it any better on another take.
Lance
2 comments :
I'll be living with the Heavyweight Champion Box Set. I like most of John Coltrane's stuff; even the often excessively esoteric stuff of the last two or three years. Mostly I like the middle period, between Giant Steps and Love Supreme: Coltrane Jazz and Sound, My Favourite Things and Impressions (mostly the title tracks)but my favourites are Coltrane (on impulse) and especially Africa/ Brass.
I'll stick to the original.....a big part of my history....
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