In 1964 John Coltrane recorded A Love Supreme with McCoy Tyner, Jimmy Garrison, and Elvin Jones. It's one of most influential and imposing jazz suites ever written, and on this debut CD for the Palmetto label, The Lincoln ... more »Center Jazz Orchestra, featuring Wynton Marsalis, adapts Coltrane's immortal composition to the big band. Not to be outdone by his brother Branford's quartet version of this material recorded live on DVD, Wynton and company skillfully extend and elaborate on the Coltrane's work, and preserve the soul-searching spirit of the four-part suite, which deals with the blues, 4/4 swing, Afro-Latin rhythms, and ballads. Pulsed by Carlos Henriquez's sure-footed basslines, Herlin Riley's spiritual syncopations and Earl Lewis's profound pianisms, saxophonist Wess "Warmdaddy" Anderson's Tranish cries, and the leader's triumphant trumpet tones are as fluent and fierce as ever. Collectively, this brilliant orchestra goes where no large ensemble has gone before. --Eugene Holley, Jr.« less
In 1964 John Coltrane recorded A Love Supreme with McCoy Tyner, Jimmy Garrison, and Elvin Jones. It's one of most influential and imposing jazz suites ever written, and on this debut CD for the Palmetto label, The Lincoln Center Jazz Orchestra, featuring Wynton Marsalis, adapts Coltrane's immortal composition to the big band. Not to be outdone by his brother Branford's quartet version of this material recorded live on DVD, Wynton and company skillfully extend and elaborate on the Coltrane's work, and preserve the soul-searching spirit of the four-part suite, which deals with the blues, 4/4 swing, Afro-Latin rhythms, and ballads. Pulsed by Carlos Henriquez's sure-footed basslines, Herlin Riley's spiritual syncopations and Earl Lewis's profound pianisms, saxophonist Wess "Warmdaddy" Anderson's Tranish cries, and the leader's triumphant trumpet tones are as fluent and fierce as ever. Collectively, this brilliant orchestra goes where no large ensemble has gone before. --Eugene Holley, Jr.
CD Reviews
A Supreme Love to Share
Kate Says | Montclair, NJ | 06/04/2005
(5 out of 5 stars)
"I admit, I was sceptical when this CD was first handed to me. And "yes" I am a firm believer that some material should not be covered - like "Take Five" for example. No variation, improvisation, or arrangement could ever reach the heights of that original. I had put "A Love Supreme" in that category as well ... until I heard Wynton's brother Branford's live recording of "A Love Supreme", released in late 2004. So Wynton was under quite some pressure to deliver ...
And here are my ten Cents: I love this CD. In fact, I am listening to it over and over again, always discovering new nuances in Marsalis' smart big band arrangements. He leaves enough space for each musician - including himself - to show their artistic talents while never losing the cohesiveness needed to make this production work. It's a treat for the jazz-loving ear. Appropriately challenging, yet flowing and fresh. There is an Ellingtonian grandeur to the recording and Wynton Marsalis' classcial music training certainly came in handy here. Incidentally, "A Love Supreme" was produced by yet another member of the Marsalis family, brother Delfeayo.
"
Not the same as the original; but enjoyable never the less
Phillip Kerman | West Linn, OR USA | 11/21/2005
(5 out of 5 stars)
"I suppose it's natural to compare this release with the original classic (which, by the way, you should listen to first).
The word that hits me when listening to this release is "technical". It sounds like there must be 100 horns where the original was, what, 1? Some parts seem overly cute... but it's not like it's some insult to the original. One thing I can't stand is when an artist remakes a piece of music (even their own) and it sounds the SAME. In those cases, the duplicate is implying that they are better. This version is different. It has a big band sound.
Like all of the Wynton Marsalis projects, the audio quality in this release is unmatched.
So, I'd recommend this release as a supplement. Don't think of it as the new kids trying to "one up" Trane and I think you can enjoy it better."
Wynton's take on Trane
P. Hamm | Western Pennsylvania | 02/14/2005
(4 out of 5 stars)
"Okay, it's not John Coltrane, it most definitely sounds like a Wynton Marsalis album. A lot of his trademark style in arranging and playing is evident throughout... perhaps a little too evident. But it's a delightful album nonetheless and loads of fun to listen to. Not as adventurous and interesting perhaps as the original, but still worth a spin. Wynton gets the same fabulous performances out of his group as he always does, and the music... well, what can you say... It's "A Love Supreme"... the music is supreme!"
Take five, please
Jonathan Boyce | Fairfied, CT | 12/31/2005
(3 out of 5 stars)
"The upshot is that this orchestration, while nice enough, doesn't do anything good to the original piece (and I heard it live as well). If you're a fan of the original, I suggest you buy the digitally remastered version of ALS which includes a live version on the second CD.
Unless you're a fan of orchestration from quartet to big band (and this is done far more frequently in the classical world), or have money to burn, I'd avoid this CD."
A Love Supreme
Michal G. Mandeville | 07/22/2005
(5 out of 5 stars)
"This CD was most enjoyable because they are big and well known. The second reason is because I have NEVER have heard Jazz as an Orchestra. A HIGHLY recommended CD to buy."
Track Listings (4) - Disc #1