John Coltrane - Softly, as in a Morning Sunrise

[innervisions69]

Nobody compares to Trane but it's worth checking out Joe Henderson's work on McCoy's classic first album on Blue Note, The Real McCoy (Elvin and Ron Carter also)-I especially love the soulful Contemplation and Search for Peace.

[gilouseb]

Nothing to do, but cry...

[iasenzaniro768]

what sax is he playing cuz i pretty sure that isnt a tenor sax...

[Cramscorpion]

@iasenzaniro768

Sounds like a soprano. Just as in My Favorite Things for example.

Looks like this: /watch?v=olOYynQ-_Hw

[innervisions69]

I guess the 2 idiots who disliked this brilliant performance must be auditorially challenged.

[Cuervotronic]

@innervisions69 Agree

[innervisions69]

Coltrane's interpretation of classics (with lots of help from his rhythm section) is unparalleled-My Favorite Things, Summertime, Nature Boy, Chim Chim Cheree-need I go on?

[markasoneable]

In response to this absolute classic...I yield to @musicmanson...a great post, filled with truth...Amen...

[swatlanta7]

To sum it up, Pres. Clinton had kennny g play at his inuaguration for the public (he joined in and played with him). Later on that evening at a private inuaguration party, jazz greats performed and he refused to play when they invited him to. He cited, he was unworthy.

[ghairraigh]

@swatlanta7 I recall Clinton sitting in at the East Room of the White House with the Newport in New York Festival All-Stars. Illinois Jacquet handed the Pres a tenor with a number 5 (very stiff) reed. Clinton could barely blow it. Later someone asked BB King about Clinton's tenor playing. BB said "The President may not always be right, but he's always the President!"

[shawoody]

No one played brushes like Elvin Jones.

[ghairraigh]

I think I should delete all my unkind remarks about Kenny G here so the great positive comments on Trane are the focus of this page, as is proper.

[jazzjanne1]

Sounds Good!

[ghairraigh]

When people claim to like modern soprano saxophone players like Kenny G and Najee, I play them this recording.

[pzcato]

@ghairraigh fucking Najee lol

[ghairraigh]

@pzcato Yeah. The newer players seem to favor a "fish-tone" and always sound like they are sorry they are playing the soprano. None can compare to Trane or Jimmy Heath or other earlier masters in tone, chops, ideas or inventiveness.

[musicmanson]

@ghairraigh Man, you can't even compare guys like Najee or Kenny G to any of the modern jazz guys who play soprano. Marcus Strickland all day.

[ghairraigh]

@musicmanson: I agree, but sadly many are fooled by advertizing and presentation. Kenny G and Najee are just corporate products from giant music companies, not artists to be taken seriously, admired or even remembered 50 years from now. I meant no disrespect to real-deal players of any generation including today. With rare exceptions, Corporate jazz product has no more value or meaning than Justin Bieber and is no more memorable than the junk Ellington referred to as "the latest ignorant bump".

[roundtheblock1]

@ghairraigh

Kenny who?

[ghairraigh]

@roundtheblock1 You know, he's the curly-haired guy guy who moves his fingers really fast but doesn't say anything.

[innervisions69]

@ghairraigh how does Kenny G even come up in a conversation about Coltrane? he couldn't carry Trane's reeds let alone his sax-agree focus should be on positive-as with JFK, Bobby, and MLKing I remember exactly where I was when I heard Trane was no more-in early 70's there was a show on MIT radio called "Coltrane Lives"-pure ecstasy"-thru his phenomenal music he lives on in our hearts and souls

[ghairraigh]

@innervisions69 I am afraid I started it with my comment above about introducing "fans" of modern soprano players like Kenny G and Najee to the joy of Coltrane's soprano playing on this song.

[dgwg2007]

@innervisions69

Right on! Kenny G. murders the soprano saxophone

[1wvserenity]

saxybair13

[MultiRamsbottom]

always always the very best, been listening to him for 50 years and still not bored. Him an' eric.....

[ejw48]

@MultiRamsbottom Always gives me chills everytime I listen to Coltrane. Its spiritual

[peppersax]

Coltrane is one of those musicians where when the first note is played, he's identified.Today, especially in the "smooth jazz" genre, one cannot tell one sax player from the next. These 'cats' were from another stratosphere and there will NEVER be another Elvin Jones!!!

[mpcguy]

perfection

[wordscots]

When Coltrane comes in after the piano solo and Elvin hits the sticks, why, that's one of the greatest moments in recorded jazz, imho. Tyner's solo is nice, but Coltrane blows him out the building.  Trane's first chorus is off the map!

[ghairraigh]

@wordscots absolutely!

[wordscots]

When Coltrane comes in after the piano solo and Elvin hits the sticks, why, that's one of the greatest moments in recorded jazz, imho.

[nonamenanone]

This tune taught me what is jazz music when I was fifteen years old.

These four musicians are always the jazz giants.

[polymath7]

Just as with the studio version of 'My Favorite Things', Tyner's solo here is absolutely indispensible. It just wouldn't be same piece without him.

[pzcato]

@polymath7 that sonofabitch swings hard.

[inagaddadavita]

Wish people would take the time to spell correctly

[dbluez]

@inagaddadavita Who wishes this? I am glad some people spell correctly, yet throw grammar out the window. Breath deep, listen to Trane, forget those silly spelling rules as quickly as you forgot grammar and enjoy life.

[boxing1000]

Few things in this world are perfect.The Coltrane quartet is.

[polymath7]

@boxing1000  Indeed. And Tyner's solo here is priceless.

[boxing1000]

@polymath7 Those guys couldn't play bad if you paid them to...it was not in their genes...

[boxing1000]

@polymath7 Every note is where it's supposed to be...

[septip123]

I have to buy this CD again. Like a damn fool I gave it to someone.

[boxing1000]

@septip123 And the guy then moved and made sure you never found out his adress;-)

[pedpmr]

I don't need to smoke nothing when I listen to this dude, cuz he already smoked some good sh*t, and plays it back thru his music, so others can enjoy WTF it is dat he smokes...(=

[Wiligot]

@pedpmr

Nice said!

[awesomewelles90]

Great! I also love the two versions by Sonny Rollins that are on his A Night at the Village Vanguard cds. Excellent bass solos on those!

[rogerjazzfan]

Thanks for this amazing Trane!