John Coltrane's solo isn't really a solo to me. It really is the song itself. I really enjoyed this version, since like everyone says, it's both modern and soulful which is the most import combination for a modern interpretation.
However this wouldn't be half as enjoyable if we hadn't heard the original solo by John Coltrane. So the comparison on which one's better doesn't carry much meaning.
Ravi is Ravi period. Like his father (one of the best on the planet ever). He is playing what he's feeling and hearing in his head. To constantly put him under the microscope and comparing him to his father to me is an injustice to the brother. Jazz is an art form that lives in the moment and when the moment is gone that's it. This solo is Ravi and what he was feeling in those moments and what he was hearing in his head. It's like people are asking Ravi to become his Dad and that's foolish.
Ravi is playing his ass off here, he's got a new modern sound and approach to the music. Ravi is bad, and Trane lives on through him. I love Ravi's playing, and he's the nicest of cats also....5 Stars
I'm sure Trane would be extremely happy to know that his son is playing and writing on such a high level. In fact it would make most dads proud. Kudos to Ravi,he's one brave soul!
i find it strange that everyone keeps comparing ravi coltrane's solo on this particular tune to his dads solo. this is a jazz standard that thousands of jazz musicians have played millions of times. ravi has probably played this tune countless times...he's not thinking about his dads solo. he's just playing the damn tune, like he should be!
even though ravi is laying down great great stuff on an incredibly difficult i feel like it just doesnt mach his dad's which might be shallow on my part. but on everything trane does he plays with such a strong sound and somehow played with an abnormally strong sound on giant steps and just never stopped playing and played mostly in the lower register and ppl tht hav heard the song recognize it like tht and when they here a different version like sigmundgroid said, it just doesnt feel the same
@addeex1 Slightly tongue in cheek, but I meant to say John Coltrane to me and many musicians I had the honour of talking to including, Joe Henderson, George Coleman and Curtis Fuller, was one of the greatest musicians ever, and certainly took the sax and Jazz to a different dimension. I personally would find it too daunting to follow in his footsteps if he was my dad. Besides the constant comparisons would finish me!
@otnas001 I don't think it's very rare that people take their parents interests/jobs. I mean, even if Ravi haven't meet his father I bet he has met his friends or other musicians, Alice, his mother is a jazz pianist too. But I definitely see what you mean.
Holy $#(%! Damn! (I'm just glad the harmonica player didn't stick around because that sound was going nowhere.)
Good God that was something!
I think some people should understand, his father, John, left us with this great 'canvas' (Giant Steps and its chord progression) to which future generations can interpret and place their own colors, ideas, (etc.) on. The worst possible thing in the world that could happen is if we were to put the original away and say you couldn't play/interpret it.
Amazing. His dad would be incredibly proud of that performance. Seems like he expanded the harmony a bit, hit it with interesting phrasing and rhythm, and with that tone that JC imprinted on the saxophone world that endures to this day.
Moreover, John Coltrane died in 1967. We can't hear him play Giant Steps live any more than we can hear the Beatles play any of their recordings live.
Handel has been dead for centuries . . . if Rampal makes a fine recording of Handel's Flute Sonata in A Minor, does that mean that Galway shouldn't record it?
Perhaps I just don't get davidofpiano's "logic" . . . .
It almost seems like John Coltrane's recorded solo on this piece - melody, rhythm and improvisation - was so perfect, that one can't help but compare it to everyone else's attempt at it. I mean, Ravi is amazing, better than I'll ever be, but it's almost like hearing someone try to cover a Beatles song. It's already perfect.... doesn't mean you shouldn't still try, but I can't shake my experience of the original version while listening. Maybe I'm just a weak listener... thoughts?
@davidofpiano423 I would not define you as a "weak listener", but IMHO your statement is more based on an emotional feeling rather than on a musical analysis and actual comparison between Ravi and John!
@davidofpiano423 Coltrane definitely set a standard with this tune and it has been covered and recorded by many artists including myself. Can anyone hope to overshadow Trane's version? Absolutely not. But if you have the chops and the musical ability you can certainly put your own voice to it which i think Ravi does well here. One thing I like about his playing is he has his own approach without being too much like his father.
@sigmundgroid In the first place, which version of Giant Steps is davidofpiano referring to? IMHO 'Trane's solo on the third alternate take is superior but wasn't released because it was incomplete.
On YouTube you can hear everyone from Stevie Wonder to James Moody to a mechanical robot play Giant Steps. Every musician who is capable of doing so works through Giant Steps eventually. Ans why not?
Anyway, Ravi is killing it. I don't hear him repeating himself much, and he has a lot to say.
@sigmundgroid In the first place, which version of Giant Steps is davidofpiano referring to? IMHO 'Trane's solo on the third alternate take is superior but wasn't released because it was incomplete.
On YouTube you can hear everyone from Stevie Wonder to James Moody to a mechanical robot play Giant Steps. Every musician who is capable of doing so works through Giant Steps eventually. And why not?
Anyway, Ravi is killing it. I don't hear him repeating himself much, and he has a lot to say.
@soulgriot I totally agree that Ravi is killing it. You're absolutely right that he's being creative and not playing the same stuff over and over. Anyone who can do this or Countdown without repeating themself often is worthy of great respect.
@sigmundgroid i agree...the harmonies and rythyms and sound are definitely influenced by trane and giant steps has a very distintctive sound but everything hes doing is very fundamentally different from john!
@davidofpiano423 The blood-line is as far as similarities go I'm afraid. I've not listened to the original J.C version in years, but it's light years from R.C's interpretation.
@davidofpiano423 I understand what you're saying and I find it very nice when people play his solo. But it's still a nice song wich some people really can play well. If you go to Prague, go se Ondrej Stveracek and ask him to play Giant Steps. That's amazing too!
Man, Ravi really kills these changes. I cannot stress how hard it is to play through Giant Steps, especially at a cooking tempo, and keep the song sounding musical (not just saying this, I have tried). Even 'Trane himself said that to him the song was just an exercise, and his feelings reflected his playing, but it sounds like Ravi is looking at it just like any other song and it really shows in his playing.
@iJiggsy I think a good performance of this tune is very rare --- and as much as I love John Coltrane --- his was not the greatest, but the first. I'm sure if John continued to play it, it would have evolved a lot with him, but he just moved on to other things. Ravi's playing is excellent, and the exercise has broken through to a tune in its own right. My Giant Steps playing is a not-yet-ready-for-prime-time. Difficult to make music with it --- but I am confident it will come.
@danieljones013 ----I am referring to my own experience playing the tune, and relating to the difficulty others have in making something of it. What you say is correct --- but that is part of the difficulty. The chords and melody dominate the improvisor when he starts out ---- the melody and chords share the same rhythms most the time (each implying the other), and a change is present on nearly every strong beat. If you are trying to breathe your own life into it it takes a while.
@nobodady1 I have no choice but to agree. lol The goal note method works great over it. A suggestion..If you break the song into two halves, the second half (measures 9 to the turnaround) there is nothing but ii-V's so you have two bars the key of Eb, G, B, Eb and then one measure of B in the turnaround (in concert key). the first half is the tricky part tho.
@danieljones013 I don't have problems playing over the changes "correctly" and I've analyzed the piece and follow what you are saying about it. It is just a chanllenge to extend a melodic idea "through" the changes rather than clumping the melodies over each chord. I'm trying to float over the changes almost as if they weren't there, which is what it sounds like when great improvisors play it, IMO. I ain't there yet, but working on it.
@nobodady1 I finally see what your saying. For me its harder to create varying ideas on this tune after so many choruses they begin to sound the same. Using the aforementioed method I have gained greater variety 9endless combinations). Nonetheless, expression is dificult. I see what you mean the changes tend to dictate what you play as opposed to you choosing the course you want to go. How can one float through the changes? Sometimes I do it, othertimes I dnt. How can I consistantly do so?
I never realized how different Ravi And J Coltrane were. Ravi is more bopish but I feel like J Coltrane plays more with feel and gut rather than applying scales. Not trying to diminish Ravi's style because he's plays fantastic. I just think that J Coltrane plays with a little more ear for what's going on in the moment. Still, some great licks to be learned here. Only complaint about Ravi's solo is that he doesn't progress much. He starts out fast, rather than simple then build.
I saw Ravi at Yoshi's on Oakland. It's the closest I'll ever get to seen Coltrane in person, live. Having said that, Ravi killed it man. I was amazed and impressed. Like other people have said, his dad would have been proud that his son was giving him a real run for his money. Weird thing tho, I hear lots of Brecker in his playing here. It reminds me of that solo where Brecker and MIntzer were going at it. Funny.
I don't care who his dad was at this moment. He shines on his own. It's unfair to overlook and overhear what this excelent musician is playing.
Ravi, forget about the negative comments Hey you know what? record a R&B jazz instrumental album, so as to distance yourself from your legendary father. Maybe you'll gain the respect that you deserve.
On fourth listen the harmonica is just weird and Ravi plays good but seriously not the same so dad at all (bottom dollar he agrees). he uses some of the saxophone Archetypes John explored but out of context
Every sax player is influenced (with few exceptions) by J.C. I saw Ravi with Elvin Jone's group in the early nineties, ensemble with two reed players. To my ears the other player, not Ravi, sounded like J.C.. My thought at the time was that Ravi was consciously avoiding the comparison. Here, he seems to have embraced the inevitable. Sounds awfully good to me.
@nobodady1 The other saxophonist was most likely Sonny Fortune. I can see why you state he sounds more like Coltrane than Ravi. But, although his energy is similar, Sonny sounds nothing like Coltrane. On the other hand, I'm sure Ravi is not avoiding anything. He's just developing his own sound. Considering the repeated comparisons between he and his father, he's well adjusted and comfortable with himself. And yes...I totally agree, he sounds great here.
@gowbass Sonny and Ravi are both informed by Jowcol, as any saxophonist would, but I agree that each of them are earnestly pursuing their muse . Great to hear from one who knows Ravi's sound intimately as you do. I think anyone who gets up on a bandstand and works with this music deserve all the respect in the world, and no cheap shots.
This comment has received too many negative votesshow
John Coltrane's Giant Steps is on utbe listen to it (better yet buy a real album) Ravi is NOT JC.2 He didn't know him, Ravi born in 1965 is a damn good player but not John die 67. Mimicking dad is NOT the next great thing. There are unemployed house painter(that pay sax) that can do this.... Ravi scrape the comparisons to dad () Be your own man you deserve it (ya whats with the harmonica?)
@jfxcoll if you believe Ravi s mimicking his Dad, either you are not listening to what Ravi is trying to do, or you don't know that well John Coltrane's work on Giant Steps!
@sigmundgroid Bravo. Ravi is his own player, and like all the new tenor cats, finding his own sound. If anyone thinks this sounds like JC they have no ears.
@jfxcoll OK, with that statement, it's clear that you do not know Coltrane's sound...Ravi sounds nothing like his father and is not disturbed by that fact. Although he has considerable reverence for his father (I mean...when speaking of him he addresses him as "Coltrane"), he makes no attempt to imitate him. He's great improviser in his own right. I tell you, it is truly sad to see people be so miserable with themselves that they resort to baseless criticisms. Come on people, stop hatin'.
@gowbass I buy what you say except that I don't know J coltrane's sound. Ya Ravi sound nothing like his father. Hes good but a comparison to his father he is not in the running. There are a great number of horn players that cant get arrested that that sound more play more like J trane. R trane wants to chase the trane fine but He aint not J trane as good as he is he's nothing like his father ONE ONE IS thats the point. If he wants to get compared to dad (giant steps) J coltane he is not! that ok
@jfxcoll In other words, I have yet to see where Ravi has requested to be compared to his father. If your postulation is correct, then when Joe Lovano, Branford, Donald Harrison, Kenny Garrett or anyone else plays "Giant Steps" that means they're trying to sound like Coltrane too, right? Giant Steps is a standard and if anyone should be allowed to put their take on it it should be Ravi. Again, he's not "chasing the Trane", he's chasing Ravi and sounds good doing so.
@gowbass Call those guys and ask them. They 'll say the same thing, "yes I do it as a comparison, and I fall short". They do it in a way of saying see Trane was Trane and I am not! none are saying see I'm as good as Trane. check out some of the comments comparing R to J as if R can survive it, no way its just not at the level JC no one can that's why trane is such a phenom if he was bill smith people would be saying "weak" but its not bad but its not close to papa.
@jfxcoll To tell you the truth, I worked with Ravi in Elvin's band and his disposition was not to compare himself to his father. We played Coltrane's music in that band and Ravi was expressing HIMSELF on Coltrane's music. I know all of the others I mention and they too do the same. It's not authentic to play music to compare one's self to someone else. Jazz musicians are in constant pursuit of delivering honest, pure, and unique music. People like yourself are drawing the comparisons.
@gowbass Ya I can imagine WTF "disposition was not to compare" because it is not possible for him to survive it (who in the heck could) You know Ravi call him right now and ask he will say exactly what I am saying. My response is to people comparing him to dad (as if) Come on this isn' t even the best of Ravi. Unfortunately its not people like me. Most jazz musicians aren't all that warm and fuzzy about it. I have spent so much time studying developing a point of view I compromise for no one
@jfxcoll Something just comes on my mind reading your posts and especially when you say "I have spent so much time studying developing a point of view I compromise for no one", WHAT A WASTE OF TIME, you should get another hobby dude!
@jfxcoll actually, call them and ask them, and they WON'T say they do it as a comparison. They'll just say, I'm a musician, here's what I do. It's a lifelong process and I'm not in a cutting contest with anyone, I'm just trying to make good music. Also, to say that no one can play at the level that John Coltrane did is just bizarre. Coltrane was a human being, not a God. He did amazing things, but many others are also doing amazing things now.
@jfxcoll your a big fucking faggot, you dont even have any videos, so shut the fuck up about the house painters. if a house painter can play like this, i think he would recognized, if just half the people on youtube spent less time commenting and actually practicing the music.... your pathetic. his son is just as amazing.
@jfxcoll I though the same first, but maybe is quite like his father and would have done similar things even if he hadn't known himself to be his son. I don't know .. actually it's hard to ask someone to be as "somebody" as John Coltrane was ^^ . Whatever, this sounds good to me, what's the matter ?
he is his daddy's son and taking it to the next level if that is even possible. amazing that he has lived up to and taken the ball and ran with it from his dad, and one of the greatest soloists, improvisationists the planet has ever known, right on ravi
he is his daddy's son and taking it to the next level if that is even possible. amazing that he has lived up to and taken the ball and ran with it from his dad, and one of the greatest soloists, improvisationists the planet has ever known, right on ravi
i can't imagine what it would be like to be the product of john coltrane!!!! That must've been an incredible house to live in. if you think about it, the sound of most modern jazz players-joshua redman, mark turner- is based on that of coltrane (John). It must be so hard to fill the shoes of somebody who was so extremely influential, but it must also be an amazing thing to be able to do as Ravi clearly can. his runs may not be as clear and well articulated as John's but they're all there.
@awesomewelles90 He worked on it for sure(but not note for note). improvisation dont means you haven't worked it out. Coltrane himself spent a tremendous amount of time on these changes. I think what I am reading here about the comparison with Ravi and his father being gods its none constructive. honestly the only other sax player to comparison with John Coltrane is Joe Henderson probably best not to comparel. Ravi plays GS he set up the comparison, he falls short as any! sax player would
Ravi is the complete package. Who else could have stepped into Michael Brecker's shoes with Lovano and Liebman? The whole idea - the center of this universe - is that Ravi is not John. He's Ravi! I for one am glad he's doing this, just like Joshua Redman and Jaco's kids, and so many others who are merging DNA with new ideas and LOTS of practicing...
John Coltrane's solo isn't really a solo to me. It really is the song itself. I really enjoyed this version, since like everyone says, it's both modern and soulful which is the most import combination for a modern interpretation.
However this wouldn't be half as enjoyable if we hadn't heard the original solo by John Coltrane. So the comparison on which one's better doesn't carry much meaning.
digiblood 1 month ago
This is not a carbon copy of his father's solo! It is soulful and rhymthic and I really like this version of Giant Steps - Go Ravi Coltrane!!
gisaac46 2 months ago
I actually like Ravi's solo more. The contours of the lines are more varied and less monotonous. Just my opinion.
pebblefrog196 2 months ago in playlist Giant Steps 2
@pebblefrog196 I agree!
weskoki 2 months ago
Ravi is Ravi period. Like his father (one of the best on the planet ever). He is playing what he's feeling and hearing in his head. To constantly put him under the microscope and comparing him to his father to me is an injustice to the brother. Jazz is an art form that lives in the moment and when the moment is gone that's it. This solo is Ravi and what he was feeling in those moments and what he was hearing in his head. It's like people are asking Ravi to become his Dad and that's foolish.
caseymusic 3 months ago 2
oh this solo is nothing like his fathers in the og recording. very creative.
oshizo2 3 months ago
RAVI...join my band....I'm a guitar player!!!
HellzSmellz 3 months ago
Ravi is playing his ass off here, he's got a new modern sound and approach to the music. Ravi is bad, and Trane lives on through him. I love Ravi's playing, and he's the nicest of cats also....5 Stars
docsax 4 months ago 3
I'm sure Trane would be extremely happy to know that his son is playing and writing on such a high level. In fact it would make most dads proud. Kudos to Ravi,he's one brave soul!
dwartyclone 4 months ago
i find it strange that everyone keeps comparing ravi coltrane's solo on this particular tune to his dads solo. this is a jazz standard that thousands of jazz musicians have played millions of times. ravi has probably played this tune countless times...he's not thinking about his dads solo. he's just playing the damn tune, like he should be!
flipadiddle 4 months ago 11
@flipadiddle aman jeasus stop comparing him to his dad he has a different style ie)more modern but he a really top notch musician
12345678910aaronable 4 months ago
@flipadiddle Exactly what i would say!!!! It's fantastic what he's doing!
cel991 3 months ago
even though ravi is laying down great great stuff on an incredibly difficult i feel like it just doesnt mach his dad's which might be shallow on my part. but on everything trane does he plays with such a strong sound and somehow played with an abnormally strong sound on giant steps and just never stopped playing and played mostly in the lower register and ppl tht hav heard the song recognize it like tht and when they here a different version like sigmundgroid said, it just doesnt feel the same
yourfamilydocter 5 months ago
Ravi..your cool
HellzSmellz 6 months ago
I can't tell what chord the rhythm section is on after like, the first 15 seconds. any pointers on hearing what chord they play?
ChiZ712 6 months ago
Ravi is burning and he is a great player. However, if my dad was John Coltrane... I wouldn't even look at a saxophone.
otnas001 6 months ago
@otnas001 How come??
addeex1 6 months ago
@addeex1 Slightly tongue in cheek, but I meant to say John Coltrane to me and many musicians I had the honour of talking to including, Joe Henderson, George Coleman and Curtis Fuller, was one of the greatest musicians ever, and certainly took the sax and Jazz to a different dimension. I personally would find it too daunting to follow in his footsteps if he was my dad. Besides the constant comparisons would finish me!
otnas001 6 months ago
@otnas001 I don't think it's very rare that people take their parents interests/jobs. I mean, even if Ravi haven't meet his father I bet he has met his friends or other musicians, Alice, his mother is a jazz pianist too. But I definitely see what you mean.
addeex1 6 months ago
Holy $#(%! Damn! (I'm just glad the harmonica player didn't stick around because that sound was going nowhere.)
Good God that was something!
I think some people should understand, his father, John, left us with this great 'canvas' (Giant Steps and its chord progression) to which future generations can interpret and place their own colors, ideas, (etc.) on. The worst possible thing in the world that could happen is if we were to put the original away and say you couldn't play/interpret it.
DavesTrumpet 7 months ago 5
1:49....*oh shit...im just guna step back for a second and think about how sweet that line was....nice..."
1:55 ...........and back to smashing it!!!
SwerdyJazz 7 months ago
1:49....*oh shit...im just guna step back for a second and think about how sweet that line was....nice..."
SwerdyJazz 7 months ago
Amazing. His dad would be incredibly proud of that performance. Seems like he expanded the harmony a bit, hit it with interesting phrasing and rhythm, and with that tone that JC imprinted on the saxophone world that endures to this day.
tatstertat 7 months ago
Music Moves....... I love it!!
AlCaldwell11 7 months ago
wow,
HOT
y34r 7 months ago
John would be proud of his son
saxman2100 7 months ago 3
Brilliantly played, an excellent saxophonist
jay1beaux 7 months ago
FULL CIRCLE!
hitzville81 7 months ago
This comment has received too many negative votes show
poor Ravi, his father is his shadow
jesemus33 7 months ago
Is the harmonica player from Dapp Theory?
SonicBrunoth 7 months ago
This solo is soooo different from John's one! Ravi studied from the best and he is amazing!!!
MrJeanPhilippe007 8 months ago
Finally, you should hear Rahsaan Roland Kirk's version, and Frank Foster's version, and David Murray's version,and so on and so on . . . .
soulgriot 8 months ago
Moreover, John Coltrane died in 1967. We can't hear him play Giant Steps live any more than we can hear the Beatles play any of their recordings live.
Handel has been dead for centuries . . . if Rampal makes a fine recording of Handel's Flute Sonata in A Minor, does that mean that Galway shouldn't record it?
Perhaps I just don't get davidofpiano's "logic" . . . .
soulgriot 8 months ago
He has a similarly bright tone to Coltrane snr
fatguyonpc 8 months ago
I hope I have children some day!!
dvdbrgn 8 months ago
great job ravi
vcfreak 8 months ago
every jazz player has to deal with giant steps - it's part of the vernacular .
mitjazz 9 months ago
RAVI IS FANTASTICD !!!!!!!!!!!!! AND ALL MEMBERS OF THE BAND!!!!!!!!!!
chris drummer-greece
stassinopoulos 9 months ago
ravi is john figure it out, john's music is his son and all the others too and it's theirs
daddysevenpointfiver 9 months ago
It is more of Mike Brecker than of the man´s father on this.
jazzuffe 9 months ago
This is excellent..it would not be fair to compare him with John Coltrane, it's like, he's got too giant steps to match.
9shailendra6 11 months ago
ughhh the pianist my balls just broke open and ran away so good ughhhh (1:17 up to that wtf chromatic so good what)
yougotcrad1 11 months ago
ughhh the pianist my balls just broke open and ran away so good ughhhh
yougotcrad1 11 months ago
wow hes amazing
goshaix4 11 months ago
saw ravi live.. was great
squintzzz 11 months ago
burning as fuck! Perfect tempo
handdancin 1 year ago
Why are people acting like this isn't killin????
NfiniteXdestinY 1 year ago 5
doesnt sound very much like his dad.... which is fucking sweet
unclejunglebass 1 year ago
does any1 know if ravi has his father mouthpiece?
GN010xzaybanya 1 year ago
It almost seems like John Coltrane's recorded solo on this piece - melody, rhythm and improvisation - was so perfect, that one can't help but compare it to everyone else's attempt at it. I mean, Ravi is amazing, better than I'll ever be, but it's almost like hearing someone try to cover a Beatles song. It's already perfect.... doesn't mean you shouldn't still try, but I can't shake my experience of the original version while listening. Maybe I'm just a weak listener... thoughts?
davidofpiano423 1 year ago
@davidofpiano423 I would not define you as a "weak listener", but IMHO your statement is more based on an emotional feeling rather than on a musical analysis and actual comparison between Ravi and John!
sigmundgroid 1 year ago 29
@sigmundgroid I agree. I think people look at it biased. I think this is great playing.
darkoanton5 1 year ago
@davidofpiano423 Coltrane definitely set a standard with this tune and it has been covered and recorded by many artists including myself. Can anyone hope to overshadow Trane's version? Absolutely not. But if you have the chops and the musical ability you can certainly put your own voice to it which i think Ravi does well here. One thing I like about his playing is he has his own approach without being too much like his father.
jsweenie13 9 months ago
@sigmundgroid In the first place, which version of Giant Steps is davidofpiano referring to? IMHO 'Trane's solo on the third alternate take is superior but wasn't released because it was incomplete.
On YouTube you can hear everyone from Stevie Wonder to James Moody to a mechanical robot play Giant Steps. Every musician who is capable of doing so works through Giant Steps eventually. Ans why not?
Anyway, Ravi is killing it. I don't hear him repeating himself much, and he has a lot to say.
soulgriot 8 months ago
@sigmundgroid In the first place, which version of Giant Steps is davidofpiano referring to? IMHO 'Trane's solo on the third alternate take is superior but wasn't released because it was incomplete.
On YouTube you can hear everyone from Stevie Wonder to James Moody to a mechanical robot play Giant Steps. Every musician who is capable of doing so works through Giant Steps eventually. And why not?
Anyway, Ravi is killing it. I don't hear him repeating himself much, and he has a lot to say.
soulgriot 8 months ago
@soulgriot I totally agree that Ravi is killing it. You're absolutely right that he's being creative and not playing the same stuff over and over. Anyone who can do this or Countdown without repeating themself often is worthy of great respect.
Modes9 7 months ago
@sigmundgroid i agree...the harmonies and rythyms and sound are definitely influenced by trane and giant steps has a very distintctive sound but everything hes doing is very fundamentally different from john!
sparkinup33 7 months ago
@davidofpiano423 The blood-line is as far as similarities go I'm afraid. I've not listened to the original J.C version in years, but it's light years from R.C's interpretation.
muzo56281721 7 months ago
@davidofpiano423 Coltrane wrote this tune down so others can interpret it.
addeex1 7 months ago
@addeex1 Exactly!
DavesTrumpet 7 months ago
@davidofpiano423 I understand what you're saying and I find it very nice when people play his solo. But it's still a nice song wich some people really can play well. If you go to Prague, go se Ondrej Stveracek and ask him to play Giant Steps. That's amazing too!
eemlase 4 months ago
how is the harmonica gonna play on giant steps?
danieljones013 1 year ago
When we listen to John Coltrane at best for those who knew him, we listen to a friend. For him it's certainly as the voice of his father ...
I feel that we said: It to "me" ! And i did what i want ! And damn! How beautiful !
(A bit like we would drive the Hemi'Cuda that we have inherited from our father... :)
abluerambler 1 year ago
saucool
freesolo81 1 year ago
Fantastic. Ravi is definitely not mimicking John Coltrane. But you can't they there's no influence on Ravi.
FunkySkunk90 1 year ago
mind blowing solo
vitamincory 1 year ago
to much gain on the audio track, but very nice version of this song
murdechoc 1 year ago
i like the fact that he isnt just running the changes, but also that he uses reptitiion.
greati9 1 year ago
Just incredible solo!
flatnine 1 year ago
He does sound like his Dad, but with a different spin... which of course isn't a bad thing at all. What a sublime video.
IFulcrum 1 year ago
Man, Ravi really kills these changes. I cannot stress how hard it is to play through Giant Steps, especially at a cooking tempo, and keep the song sounding musical (not just saying this, I have tried). Even 'Trane himself said that to him the song was just an exercise, and his feelings reflected his playing, but it sounds like Ravi is looking at it just like any other song and it really shows in his playing.
iJiggsy 1 year ago
@iJiggsy I think a good performance of this tune is very rare --- and as much as I love John Coltrane --- his was not the greatest, but the first. I'm sure if John continued to play it, it would have evolved a lot with him, but he just moved on to other things. Ravi's playing is excellent, and the exercise has broken through to a tune in its own right. My Giant Steps playing is a not-yet-ready-for-prime-time. Difficult to make music with it --- but I am confident it will come.
nobodady1 1 year ago
@nobodady1 what do you mean not easy to make music with? The chords themselves speak volumes and the melody is catchy as apples man...lol
danieljones013 1 year ago
@danieljones013 ----I am referring to my own experience playing the tune, and relating to the difficulty others have in making something of it. What you say is correct --- but that is part of the difficulty. The chords and melody dominate the improvisor when he starts out ---- the melody and chords share the same rhythms most the time (each implying the other), and a change is present on nearly every strong beat. If you are trying to breathe your own life into it it takes a while.
nobodady1 1 year ago
@nobodady1 I have no choice but to agree. lol The goal note method works great over it. A suggestion..If you break the song into two halves, the second half (measures 9 to the turnaround) there is nothing but ii-V's so you have two bars the key of Eb, G, B, Eb and then one measure of B in the turnaround (in concert key). the first half is the tricky part tho.
danieljones013 1 year ago
@danieljones013 I don't have problems playing over the changes "correctly" and I've analyzed the piece and follow what you are saying about it. It is just a chanllenge to extend a melodic idea "through" the changes rather than clumping the melodies over each chord. I'm trying to float over the changes almost as if they weren't there, which is what it sounds like when great improvisors play it, IMO. I ain't there yet, but working on it.
nobodady1 1 year ago
@nobodady1 I finally see what your saying. For me its harder to create varying ideas on this tune after so many choruses they begin to sound the same. Using the aforementioed method I have gained greater variety 9endless combinations). Nonetheless, expression is dificult. I see what you mean the changes tend to dictate what you play as opposed to you choosing the course you want to go. How can one float through the changes? Sometimes I do it, othertimes I dnt. How can I consistantly do so?
danieljones013 1 year ago
shhhhh! listen
tocchiuto 1 year ago 33
To be quite frank, posting stupid comments on YouTube just prove the foolishness of the poster.
Stunning solo!
imaginaryteaparty 1 year ago
Pure Gold <3
originaleptu 1 year ago
ladies and gents, this is what you get from studying what Paul Novros.
pong224 1 year ago
yes
wanderpip 1 year ago
Ravi did this even better than his father. Did he get some inspiration from above?
TherealShabbadang 1 year ago
He plays this even better than his father did. Did he get some inspiration from above?
TherealShabbadang 1 year ago
Damn haha was the harmonica guy just about to shred on this haha!?!?!?!?!?!?
trumpetkeys13 1 year ago 2
@trumpetkeys13
Son, that's Gregoire Maret. Trust me, he pulls Coltrane changes off quite beautifully.
theabstract666 1 year ago
that was freaking awesome.
rogersat 1 year ago
Comment removed
rogersat 1 year ago
GOOD!
marianolombard 1 year ago
Dude I'm so excited because next week I get to go to a jazz seminar that Ravi Coltrane is teaching at, and I'm only a student. :D
Firaje 1 year ago
Absolutely beautiful!!!
Francinstyne 1 year ago
I love how he quotes a bit of the main tune in the first part of his solo.
irontailpikachu 1 year ago
I think it takes tremendous soul searching and courage to swim in a stream of music so closely associated with his father. Go for it, Ravi :-)
Streamline09 1 year ago
I love how the melody is passing throught tenor sax and harmonica,and after that,the different -a little more staccato- soloing of Ravi.
xatzidakis 1 year ago
That lick at 2:22 sounds familiar.
Anyone know what that's from?
kazmaniandevil10 1 year ago
That lick at 2:22 sounds familiar...
Anyone know what that's from?
kazmaniandevil10 1 year ago
@kazmaniandevil10
Sounds like it's from Chris Potter.
Coronas135 1 year ago
Thanks for posting...really cool to hear Ravi's take on Giant Steps.
gowbass 1 year ago
amazing playing .......Oh well better carry on with the scale pracitce !!! lol
galaxyblinds 1 year ago
haha i can just imagine him introducing giant steps. something like "heres something that my daddy wrote" lol
sonnystitt123 1 year ago 3
yessssss is very good
Giwilly18 1 year ago
What a lucky guy.I would like to be his brother.
jarbasg1 1 year ago
Ravi kicks major ass...
GoatOfRafin 1 year ago
i seen ravi with elvin jones and pharoah sanders in 1995
aaronamccoy 1 year ago
I never realized how different Ravi And J Coltrane were. Ravi is more bopish but I feel like J Coltrane plays more with feel and gut rather than applying scales. Not trying to diminish Ravi's style because he's plays fantastic. I just think that J Coltrane plays with a little more ear for what's going on in the moment. Still, some great licks to be learned here. Only complaint about Ravi's solo is that he doesn't progress much. He starts out fast, rather than simple then build.
tjc197 1 year ago
very thank you for upload!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
aFightingChristian 1 year ago
I saw Ravi at Yoshi's on Oakland. It's the closest I'll ever get to seen Coltrane in person, live. Having said that, Ravi killed it man. I was amazed and impressed. Like other people have said, his dad would have been proud that his son was giving him a real run for his money. Weird thing tho, I hear lots of Brecker in his playing here. It reminds me of that solo where Brecker and MIntzer were going at it. Funny.
bt017 1 year ago
I don't care who his dad was at this moment. He shines on his own. It's unfair to overlook and overhear what this excelent musician is playing.
Ravi, forget about the negative comments Hey you know what? record a R&B jazz instrumental album, so as to distance yourself from your legendary father. Maybe you'll gain the respect that you deserve.
claragary 1 year ago
Great playing Ravi.
selmansax 1 year ago
On fourth listen the harmonica is just weird and Ravi plays good but seriously not the same so dad at all (bottom dollar he agrees). he uses some of the saxophone Archetypes John explored but out of context
jfxcoll 1 year ago
Go Ravi!!! It's almost too bad his pops was Trane because we'll never stop hearing about the comparisons/expectations. He's his own badass self!!!
nixli1980 1 year ago
Yo, Ravi is Killin'! His dad definately would have been very proud.
Altotude 1 year ago
Every sax player is influenced (with few exceptions) by J.C. I saw Ravi with Elvin Jone's group in the early nineties, ensemble with two reed players. To my ears the other player, not Ravi, sounded like J.C.. My thought at the time was that Ravi was consciously avoiding the comparison. Here, he seems to have embraced the inevitable. Sounds awfully good to me.
nobodady1 1 year ago
@nobodady1 The other saxophonist was most likely Sonny Fortune. I can see why you state he sounds more like Coltrane than Ravi. But, although his energy is similar, Sonny sounds nothing like Coltrane. On the other hand, I'm sure Ravi is not avoiding anything. He's just developing his own sound. Considering the repeated comparisons between he and his father, he's well adjusted and comfortable with himself. And yes...I totally agree, he sounds great here.
gowbass 1 year ago
@gowbass Sonny and Ravi are both informed by Jowcol, as any saxophonist would, but I agree that each of them are earnestly pursuing their muse . Great to hear from one who knows Ravi's sound intimately as you do. I think anyone who gets up on a bandstand and works with this music deserve all the respect in the world, and no cheap shots.
nobodady1 1 year ago
wow
PioneerChicken1 1 year ago
not trying to sound like Coltrane at all
mheadbass 1 year ago
This has been flagged as spam show
John Coltrane Documentary a must see
jfxcoll 1 year ago
John Coltrane Documentary a must see
jfxcoll 1 year ago
which documentary?
jazzcombo251 1 year ago
Coltrane talks in part about Archetypes search John Coltrane Interview (1960)
jfxcoll 1 year ago
This comment has received too many negative votes show
John Coltrane's Giant Steps is on utbe listen to it (better yet buy a real album) Ravi is NOT JC.2 He didn't know him, Ravi born in 1965 is a damn good player but not John die 67. Mimicking dad is NOT the next great thing. There are unemployed house painter(that pay sax) that can do this.... Ravi scrape the comparisons to dad () Be your own man you deserve it (ya whats with the harmonica?)
jfxcoll 1 year ago
@jfxcoll if you believe Ravi s mimicking his Dad, either you are not listening to what Ravi is trying to do, or you don't know that well John Coltrane's work on Giant Steps!
sigmundgroid 1 year ago 53
@sigmundgroid Bravo. Ravi is his own player, and like all the new tenor cats, finding his own sound. If anyone thinks this sounds like JC they have no ears.
crescentridge 1 year ago
Every saxophone player post Coltrane has been walking in a shadow.
Grillmouth 1 year ago
@jfxcoll and how does one achieve this title of "unemployed house painter"
moneybake22 1 year ago
@moneybake22 in this economy just be a house painter
jfxcoll 1 year ago
@jfxcoll OK, with that statement, it's clear that you do not know Coltrane's sound...Ravi sounds nothing like his father and is not disturbed by that fact. Although he has considerable reverence for his father (I mean...when speaking of him he addresses him as "Coltrane"), he makes no attempt to imitate him. He's great improviser in his own right. I tell you, it is truly sad to see people be so miserable with themselves that they resort to baseless criticisms. Come on people, stop hatin'.
gowbass 1 year ago
@gowbass I buy what you say except that I don't know J coltrane's sound. Ya Ravi sound nothing like his father. Hes good but a comparison to his father he is not in the running. There are a great number of horn players that cant get arrested that that sound more play more like J trane. R trane wants to chase the trane fine but He aint not J trane as good as he is he's nothing like his father ONE ONE IS thats the point. If he wants to get compared to dad (giant steps) J coltane he is not! that ok
jfxcoll 1 year ago
@jfxcoll In other words, I have yet to see where Ravi has requested to be compared to his father. If your postulation is correct, then when Joe Lovano, Branford, Donald Harrison, Kenny Garrett or anyone else plays "Giant Steps" that means they're trying to sound like Coltrane too, right? Giant Steps is a standard and if anyone should be allowed to put their take on it it should be Ravi. Again, he's not "chasing the Trane", he's chasing Ravi and sounds good doing so.
gowbass 1 year ago
@gowbass Call those guys and ask them. They 'll say the same thing, "yes I do it as a comparison, and I fall short". They do it in a way of saying see Trane was Trane and I am not! none are saying see I'm as good as Trane. check out some of the comments comparing R to J as if R can survive it, no way its just not at the level JC no one can that's why trane is such a phenom if he was bill smith people would be saying "weak" but its not bad but its not close to papa.
jfxcoll 1 year ago
@jfxcoll To tell you the truth, I worked with Ravi in Elvin's band and his disposition was not to compare himself to his father. We played Coltrane's music in that band and Ravi was expressing HIMSELF on Coltrane's music. I know all of the others I mention and they too do the same. It's not authentic to play music to compare one's self to someone else. Jazz musicians are in constant pursuit of delivering honest, pure, and unique music. People like yourself are drawing the comparisons.
gowbass 1 year ago
@gowbass Ya I can imagine WTF "disposition was not to compare" because it is not possible for him to survive it (who in the heck could) You know Ravi call him right now and ask he will say exactly what I am saying. My response is to people comparing him to dad (as if) Come on this isn' t even the best of Ravi. Unfortunately its not people like me. Most jazz musicians aren't all that warm and fuzzy about it. I have spent so much time studying developing a point of view I compromise for no one
jfxcoll 1 year ago
@jfxcoll And with that I decamp...SMH
gowbass 1 year ago
@jfxcoll Something just comes on my mind reading your posts and especially when you say "I have spent so much time studying developing a point of view I compromise for no one", WHAT A WASTE OF TIME, you should get another hobby dude!
sigmundgroid 1 year ago 2
@jfxcoll actually, call them and ask them, and they WON'T say they do it as a comparison. They'll just say, I'm a musician, here's what I do. It's a lifelong process and I'm not in a cutting contest with anyone, I'm just trying to make good music. Also, to say that no one can play at the level that John Coltrane did is just bizarre. Coltrane was a human being, not a God. He did amazing things, but many others are also doing amazing things now.
mcj3691 1 year ago
@jfxcoll your a big fucking faggot, you dont even have any videos, so shut the fuck up about the house painters. if a house painter can play like this, i think he would recognized, if just half the people on youtube spent less time commenting and actually practicing the music.... your pathetic. his son is just as amazing.
irockyouroll 1 year ago
@jfxcoll I though the same first, but maybe is quite like his father and would have done similar things even if he hadn't known himself to be his son. I don't know .. actually it's hard to ask someone to be as "somebody" as John Coltrane was ^^ . Whatever, this sounds good to me, what's the matter ?
trojanlol 1 year ago
@jfxcoll Dude you got problems...
SpiderMSv88 11 months ago
he is his daddy's son and taking it to the next level if that is even possible. amazing that he has lived up to and taken the ball and ran with it from his dad, and one of the greatest soloists, improvisationists the planet has ever known, right on ravi
sidhrtha 1 year ago
he is his daddy's son and taking it to the next level if that is even possible. amazing that he has lived up to and taken the ball and ran with it from his dad, and one of the greatest soloists, improvisationists the planet has ever known, right on ravi
sidhrtha 1 year ago
liker father like son
hanj31 1 year ago 2
i can't imagine what it would be like to be the product of john coltrane!!!! That must've been an incredible house to live in. if you think about it, the sound of most modern jazz players-joshua redman, mark turner- is based on that of coltrane (John). It must be so hard to fill the shoes of somebody who was so extremely influential, but it must also be an amazing thing to be able to do as Ravi clearly can. his runs may not be as clear and well articulated as John's but they're all there.
thepeople1325 1 year ago
Man, this guy CAN play!
dieudonneMC 1 year ago
mouth organ dude needs to go
TehWinnerz 2 years ago
Usually kids don't live up to the legacy of their "GREATNESS".. However, he paid close attention and he's a COLTRANE! MY MAN:)
doko73 2 years ago 3
sounds like he worked out the solo beforehand
awesomewelles90 2 years ago
yeah, all 5 mins of it....give me a break.
pologusty 2 years ago
Any great solo is a distillation of what one has practiced. Not the most educated comment, check out what great jazz players say about practicing.
selmansax 1 year ago
Comment removed
jfxcoll 1 year ago
@awesomewelles90 He worked on it for sure(but not note for note). improvisation dont means you haven't worked it out. Coltrane himself spent a tremendous amount of time on these changes. I think what I am reading here about the comparison with Ravi and his father being gods its none constructive. honestly the only other sax player to comparison with John Coltrane is Joe Henderson probably best not to comparel. Ravi plays GS he set up the comparison, he falls short as any! sax player would
jfxcoll 1 year ago
Simply Awesome, Im sure his Father is Proud, Long Live the Coltrane Blood line and legacy.
ben666wraith 2 years ago 5
He is da new God!
decus69 2 years ago
Magnifico!!!
roger347 2 years ago
is he human??
diodepio 2 years ago
good blood never lies
azzaggax 2 years ago 6
jesus, dude
bernie1111 2 years ago
God, how can you play at that speed for that many chorus' and still play fresh idea after the next?? ON GIANT STEPS!! Incredible.
elimenohpee182 2 years ago 2
PAPA WOULD BE VERY PROUD
mcoli2720 2 years ago 71
Not only Ravi,but his whole quartet is on fire!
MrFunkanova 2 years ago 8
Ravi is on fire!!!! This is really hard to tune to improvise at this speed.
mayurasana 2 years ago 4
this is amazing stuff.. almost like brandford marsalis on a love supreme... ssssssss killer
Nu9v9 2 years ago
Ravi is the complete package. Who else could have stepped into Michael Brecker's shoes with Lovano and Liebman? The whole idea - the center of this universe - is that Ravi is not John. He's Ravi! I for one am glad he's doing this, just like Joshua Redman and Jaco's kids, and so many others who are merging DNA with new ideas and LOTS of practicing...
paulienebz 2 years ago 6
it is not John))
((((
bebird69 2 years ago
Eh... D.N.A. or not, his tone in this video is pretty close to John's - more so than on the recent records, I think.
Also, don't forget that his mother - the one who raised him - was also a pretty important figure in Jazz music.
OneBigMyoma 2 years ago 6
Comment removed
lokanta100 2 years ago
I shedding this tune right now, its really not to difficult once you break it down and dissect it. Ravi had a nice solo on this.
MrJalaf 2 years ago 2
The beginning is kinda hard, then it's just a bunch of II-V-I's
shepgthollywood 2 years ago 6
2:19 great line.. love it
hhm478 2 years ago
DNA and lots and lots and lots and lots of practice..... :-)
1jazzsoul 2 years ago 5