Search - John Coltrane, Eric Dolphy :: With Eric Dolphy

A rare glimpse of the two geniuses together

Matt Bailey | SLC, Utah | 12/25/2005

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Most jazz afficianados know that in the early 60's, John Coltrane brought his good friend Eric Dolphy into the band, and together the two made some classic albums. The most famous of course being the Live at the Village Vanguard sessions. In addition, they also made Ole and Africa/Brass. As great as all albums are, and they are very good, Dolphy always plays in a supporting role. John Coltrane is always very much the main figure.



This album, a live recording from some club, is sort of the same, but also different. Dolphy plays a more central role, and seems more like an actual front line partner than before, in what essentially was the "classic quartet +1." There are three tracks, the stalwart Favorite Things, Mr P.C. (interesting to hear two horns on the head) and Miles Mode (or Red Planet.) These three tunes provide a great glimpse of the every-day workings of one of those most super-human jazz groups ever to play on this earth.



Despite this invaluable opportunity, the album is by no means perfect, and by no means essential. Consider it more a major curiosity, rather than a major recording. On first listen it seems as if 'Trane is having an off-night (especially on Favorite Things.) Closer inspection reveals him to be exploring the free territory he began to broach at the Vanguard, and later post-Ascension. His usual technical prowess and furious energy throughout the horn is replaced by shrieks, groans and other words out of the free jazz bag...not nearly as engaging, but certainly as fascinating. Coltrane never rested on his laurels, and he certainly did not here...he is experimenting, exploring. The result is both compelling and unsettling at once.



Dolphy and Tyner are both relevations here. Tyner steals the show on Favorite Things with his brilliant transitions between hammered chords and shimmering one handed lines. Always the accompianist in the band, Tyner had to learn to make the most of what was given, and he certainly does that here. Dolphy's highlights are on Mr. PC (an astonishing solo creatively, energetically, and technically.) You can really hear him expound on Charlie Parker's language in a way no other altoist had ever done before, or since. His solo on Miles Mode is also particularly clever. Elvin Jones, of course, relishes the opportunity to back up two of the heaviest hitters in jazz...his playing is thunderous AND responsive.



The greatest reason why this should be given 4 stars instead of 5 is the sound quality. It is not very good. Conoisseurs have heard worse, of course, but they've also heard better. The mastering is nothing like on the Vanguard or Birdland recordings...the sound is harsh, not always clear. Jimmy Garrison, already not the loudest of bassists, is sometimes completely inaudible...at other times you can hear far too much of him. I suspect the reason for the poor quality is because this is a bootleg (I have no facts to back up that claim, however.) But if one can get past the sound, however, you can hear some truly marvelous playing, by a band pushing borders and exploring new levels of music. Just get the other the Village Vanguard tapes first, and maybe the other Coltrane-Dolphy collaborations."

One of my favorite Coltrane albums in spite of the sound qua

JT | CA United States | 09/01/2006

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I own the Impulse boxed set, the Complete Village Vanguard Sessions. and several of the Atlantic recordings, but this is my favorite Coltrane CD. The sound quality is a bit flat, and I would agree with the previous reviewer that this set sounds like it came originally from a bootleg. I'm normally one who appreciates the highest fidelity. But the energy of this session makes up for the deficiencies in sound quality. These are Coltrane standards, but one feels as though the group is exploring new territory."