Although never formally signed, an oral agreement between John Coltrane
and Blue Note Records founder Alfred Lion was indeed honored on Blue
Train -- Coltrane's only collection of sides as a principal artist for
the venerable label. The disc is packed solid with sonic evidence of
Coltrane's innate leadership abilities. He not only addresses the tunes
at hand, but also simultaneously reinvents himself as a multifaceted
interpreter of both hard bop as well as sensitive balladry -- touching
upon all forms in between...
The personnel on Blue Train is arguably as
impressive as what they're playing. Joining Coltrane (tenor sax) are Lee
Morgan (trumpet), Curtis Fuller (trombone), Kenny Drew (piano), Paul
Chambers (bass), and Philly Joe Jones (drums). The triple horn
arrangements incorporate an additional sonic density that remains a
trademark unique to both this band and album. Of particular note is
Fuller's even-toned trombone, which bops throughout the title track as
well as the frenetic "Moments Notice." Other solos include Paul
Chambers' subtly understated riffs on "Blue Train" as well as the high
energy and impact from contributions by Lee Morgan and Kenny Drew during
"Locomotion." The track likewise features some brief but vital
contributions from Philly Joe Jones -- whose efforts throughout the
record stand among his personal best. Of the five sides that comprise
the original Blue Train, the Jerome Kern/Johnny Mercer ballad "I'm Old
Fashioned" is the only standard; in terms of unadulterated sentiment,
this version is arguably untouchable. Fuller's rich tones and Drew's
tastefully executed solos cleanly wrap around Jones' steadily languid
rhythms. Without reservation, Blue Train can easily be considered in and
among the most important and influential entries not only of John
Coltrane's career, but of the entire genre of jazz music as well.
CD1
01. On It (Hope) (9:05)
02. Polka Dots And Moonbeams (Van Heusen - Blake) (8:40)
03. Weeja (Hope) (11:10)
04. Avalon (Jolson - Desylva - Rose) (9:41)
05. Tenor Madness (Rollins) (12:19)
06. Tenor Conclave (Mobley) (8:21)
07. Bob's Boys (Mobley) (11:05)
CD2
01. Just You, Just Me (Klages - Greer) (9:30)
02. How Deep Is The Ocean? (Berlin) (15:27)
03. Soultrane (Damerone) (5:24)
04. Gnid (Damerone) (5:09)
05. Mating Call (Damerone) (5:36)
06. On A Misty Night (Damerone) (6:22)
07. Romas (Damerone) (6:52)
08. Super Jet (Damerone) (5:55)
CD3
01. Interplay (Waldron) (9:40)
02. Soul Eyes (Waldron) (17:32)
03. Anatomy (Waldron) (11:55)
04. Light Blue (Waldron) (7:51)
05. C.T.A (Heath) (4:42)
06. Solacium (Flanagan) (9:10)
CD4
01. Tommy's Time (Flanagan) (12:00)
02. Minor Mishap (Flanagan) (7:26)
03. Witches' Pit (Adams) (6:42)
04. Mary's Blues (Adams) (6:48)
05. Cat Walk (Charles) (7:13)
06. Route Four (Charles) (6:55)
07. Dakar (Charles) (7:10)
08. Velvet Scene (Waldron) (4:43)
CD5
01. Potpourri (Waldron) (6:37)
02. Don't Explain (Holiday - Herzog) (6:58)
03. Falling In Love With Love (Hart - Rodgers) (11:39)
04. J.M.'S Dream Doll (Waldron) (8:41)
05. Chronic Blues (Coltrane) (8:14)
06. Bakai (Massey) (8:43)
07. While My Lady Sleeps (Kahn - Kaper) (4:43)
CD6
01. Time Was (Da La Fuente) (7:29)
02. Slowtrane (Coltrane) (7:19)
03. I Hear A Rhapsody (Baker) (5:59)
04. Violets For Your Furs (Dennis - Adair) (6:17)
05. Trane's Slo Blues (Coltrane) (6:02)
06. Like Someone In Love (Burke) (4:58)
07. I Love You (Porter) (5:31)
08. Monk's Mood (Monk) (7:52)
09. Trinkle, Tinkle (Monk) (6:41)
10. Nutty (Monk) (6:35)
CD7
01. Blue Train (Coltrane) (10:42)
02. Moment's Notice (Coltrane) (9:10)
03. Locomotion (Coltrane) (7:14)
04. I'm Old Fashioned (Mercer - Kern) (7:58)
05. Lazy Bird (Coltrane) (7:06)
06. Dealin' (Take 1) (Valdron) (10:02)
07. Things Ain't What They Used To Be (Persons - Ellington) (8:25)
CD8
01. Wheelin' (Take 1) (Valdron) (10:26)
02. Robbin's Nest (Thompson - Jacquet) (15:34)
03. Dealin' (Take 2) (Valdron) (10:18)
04. Wheelin' (Take 2) (Valdron) (11:23)
05. Slow Dance (Levister) (5:26)
06. Soft Lights And Sweet Music (Berlin) (4:39)
CD9
01. Traneing In (Coltrane) (12:34)
02. You Leave Me Breathless (Hollaender - Freed) (7:23)
03. Bass Blues (Coltrane) (7:45)
04. Woody'n You (Gillespie) (6:50)
05. I Got It Bad (And That Ain't Good) (Ellington - Webste) (6:16)
06. They Can't Take That Away From Me (G. & I. Gershwin) (10:26)
07. Our Delight (T. Dameron) (6:18)
CD10
01. Monk's Mood (Monk) (7:52)
02. Evidence (Monk) (4:42)
03. Crepuscule With Nellie (Monk) (4:27)
04. Nutty (Monk) (5:04)
05. Epistrophy (Monk - Clarke) (4:31)
06. Bye-Ya (Monk) (6:15)
07. Sweet And Lovely (Arnheim - Tobias) (9:35)
08. Blue Monk (Monk) (6:31)
09. Epistrophy (Incomplete) (Monk - Clarke) (2:21)
