Coltrane Plays The Blues

one of the great jazz quartets of all time: coltrane (tenor and soprano), mccoy tyner (piano), the earth-shaking elvin jones (drums) and steve davis (bass, though 'trane's band would most often feature jimmy garrison and sometimes reggie workman), playing a blues-inspired program of originals. this band had an empathy shared by only the best bands in jazz: the brubeck and miles davis groups, the modern jazz quartet - and it shows here, with warmth, confidence, economy and relaxed interplay. coltrane is clearly center-stage here, his distinctive tone - and soon to become one of the most influential in jazz and beyond, as this was recorded in 1960 - weaving through a set a of earthy yet thoughtful blues-based original compositions. the 'wail' of early '60s coltrane was in its embryonic stage here, but his playing is potent and soulful (without wearing his heart on his sleeve).