Music

It's been a while since I've recommended any music. And Tuesday's a great day for it.

Have you listened to saxophonist John Coltrane's Blue Train album? I cannot claim to be an expert on American Jazz, but I am quite sure that this album (his first solo effort after departure from Miles Davis' and Thelonious Monk's bands) stands at the top of "must haves" for any jazz fan. And for some non-jazz fans.

Many think of John Coltrane (1926-1967) and "unlistenable" or "difficult" comes to mind. Later in his career, he continued to develop his modal/free forms of jazz and, probably also due to the influence of much drug use, alienated many listeners. That said, this album is fantastic and truly genius material. It showcases his unique ability to "stack chords" while holding out the melody.

Coltrane is one of those few instrumentalists that I can hear and immediately identify by his unique sound. That by itself is reason to applaud. Beyond that, this album's songs are consistently quality-ridden and groovy. Here are the players: Coltrane, Lee Morgan (trumpet), Curtis Fuller (trombone), Paul Chambers (bass), Kenny Drew (piano), Philly Joe Jones (drums). Dig it.

p.s. - a new recording of Coltrane's work with Thelonious Monk has been unearthed and cleaned up (hint hint for Christmas shoppers).