John Coltrane - Blue Train

Not until Lisa Simpson did another human being have such an otherwordly control of the saxophone.

All aboard the Coltrane. The express locomotive to the smoothest and most wonderful jazz records in the storied history of the genre. When I'm feeling blue, when I'm feeling calm, or whatever I'm happening to feel, John Coltrane records set at me peace with the universe. I feel like when people try to decide a particular artists best song, they usually choose the best song off of their best album, but I always felt that this method was difficult and counter-intuitive. Great jazz musicians have so many great records it's always difficult to choose, and in the case of John Coltrane most would have a long and tiring debate between Blue Train, Giant Steps, & A Love Supreme. But screw it, my favorite Coltrane cut is definitely Blue Train, the first track off of the album of the same name.

A classic in every sense of the word, Blue Train is one of those seminal records in jazz and music in general that sets the tone and style for so many artists and albums that came after it. You can see its influences everywhere, from musical style to its album cover being paid homage to countless times in genres from rock to hip-hop. If you want to get into jazz or if you've already dabbled in the genre then specifically get into hard bop, this is the album to do it with. "Blue Train" was released in 1957 and was Coltrane's first go at being the leader and composer of the record and his own jazz group. His debut LP "Coltrane" (1957) was well received and while he was the leader on that album, Blue Train is where Coltrane started taking control and bringing his ideas front and center. He had started out working with Dizzy Gillespie for his saxophone work and eventually worked his way up to the legendary Miles Davis "first quintet". He even worked on what might be the most legendary Jazz album of all time, Davis' "Kind of Blue" (but that's for another Track Genius). Personnel for this sextet include John Coltrane on tenor saxophone, Lee Morgan on trumpet, Curtis Fuller on trombone, Kenny Drew on piano, Paul Chambers on bass & Philly Joe Jones on drums.

The modern day equivalent to this is Jay-Z, Kanye West, Nas & Eminem recording a track together.

Now to the track itself. What's particularly awesome about Blue Train is that it never gets boring or repetitive. From the instantly recognizable opening melody of saxophone punctuated by striking piano, to the triumphant and beautiful ending with the same melody coming full circle, the recording is fresh and cool the whole way through. It has a kind of finality about it all but it's only the first track off of the album. Masterful sax breaks with the complementing hi-hats and bass create a smooth and exciting listen, as Coltrane shifts octaves from low to high, back again, and strolling to exciting. Trumpet parts, saxophone parts, piano parts, there isn't anything done here that isn't done with the utmost precision and class. This is just such a cool record, it makes me giddy like a school boy finding his first Public Enemy vinyl.

Masters at work

I really know comparatively little about jazz music. I don't know about the set ups or the nuances of improvisation and leading the band. I don't know everything about the flow of the instruments and how they play off of eachother. All I know is that I like it  and its what I grew up on. I hope you like it ass much as I do too.

As always, enjoy and spread the love. Peace.