 One item sure to make to the top of many jazz-fans wish list is Fearless Leader the the new release from Prestige records containing the complete recordings of John Coltrane as a leader between 1957-1958. The late 50's leading into the 60's was a fertile period leading up to historic breakthroughs in the evolution of jazz as an art form. Think of all the landmark recordings released in 1959 (Kind of Blue, Brubeck's Time Out, Ornette Coleman's Shape of Jazz to Come, and Coltrane's Giant Steps) and then in 1960 (Eric Dolphys Out There and Far Cry, Coltrane's My Favorite Things and the Avant-Garde). The emergence of Free Jazz and the Avant Garde, the influence of modal theory on jazz composition and improvisation all sprouted from seeds that germinated in the late 50's. In Fearless Leader we have a collection all of the sessions, presented in chronological order that document the development of John Coltrane as a leader when his talent was heating up like water just ready to boil. Having kicked a drug habit that caused Miles Davis to fire him from his quintet, Coltrane was on a spiritual and artistic journey that would have a profound influence on all jazz musicians that came after him. Coltrane was already accomplished as a player, but drug addiction had prevented him from reaching his full potential. Prestige records was wise enough to recognize some of that potential and signed Coltrane to a recording contract, both as a sideman and a leader.
Now clean, Coltrane was took part in some 27 sessions in all during 1957 and 1958. All 125 tracks can be heard on the 16-disc box set, The Prestige Recordings. Fearless Leader, a pared down set of 6 CDs that contain all 47 tracks of Coltrane as a leader, is treasure that better documents the emerging Coltrane. Because the material covered is mostly standards and blues numbers, this is some of the most accessible music produce by Coltrane and most of the albums released from these sessions remain immensely popular. During this time period, Coltrane also recorded his landmark Blue Note release, Blue Trane. The all-star line-up of sidemen on Fearless Leader includes trumpeters Donald Byrd, Johnny Splawn, Freddie Hubbard, and Wilbur Harden; pianists Red Garland and Mal Waldron; drummers Louis Hayes, Jimmy Cobb, Arthur Taylor and Albert "Tootie" Heath; bassists Earl May and Paul Chambers; and Sahib Shihab on baritone sax. Of the nine session dates, one that I find the most thrilling was January 10th 1958 with Donald Byrd on trumpet, Red Garland on piano, Paul Chambers on bass and Louis Hayes on drums. It is nice to hear the session in its entirety; originally the tunes were spread out of three different releases: The Last Trane, Lush Life and The Believer. This was an incredible session, the rhythm section solid and swinging, Byrd and Coltrane blowing like crazy. Listening to them swapping fours with Hayes on “Lover” is quite a treat. The ballads are heartfelt, including the best saxophone interpretation of Stayhorn's “Lush Life” that I've ever heard. Even for a fan who has several of the original releases, this remastered set offers a complete picture of Coltrane taking charge. Fearless Leader containes a 64-page booklet with photos, extensive notes, details of the sessions and all of the original liner notes. Any Coltrane fan who hasn't heard these should. If you love Coltrane from the Mile's Davis quintet, Blue Trane, or Giant Steps, you'll love this set. ( For a full length sample, click here.) |
Saturday, 20 March 2010
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