Customer Reviews:
 A great starter, but not the greatest Coltrane June 24, 2008
Eric C. Sedensky (Madison, AL, US)
This was the first Coltrane work I owned, and also one of my first forays into jazz music back in the day. In the vast, almost surreally expansive litany of John Coltrane music, this CD stands out for a number of reasons. For one, it provides a glimpse of the man sort of at a cross roads, where he was still whipping out the licks he has since become famous for, but where he also delves into an improvisational method that borders on the avant-garde, and indeed - many would argue - heralds that era. Especially in the opening title track, one really has to be listening close to tell that he hasn't strayed completely away from the original melody and chords, and for me, it causes a strain that is almost tangibly tiring. But the rest of the tracks settle down into what I would call "traditional" Coltrane, where, yeah, he goes off on his own, but just when you start to get worried about him, there he is, back on the song's path through the sonic forest of swing. Another reason this CD stands out is the backing musicians. Sure, Jimmy Garrison and Elvin Jones can pick it up, lay it down, make it rock and hold it steady, whatever a song or a solo calls for, but for gosh sakes, that's McCoy Tyner on the ivories! You could just about put Tyner's name as the headliner and consider Trane as a member of the backing band, and I don't think you'd be doing either one of them a disservice. When he's given a chance to shine, he does, and his solos really complement and contrast Trane's in an unorthodox but satisfying way. This remastered edition really sounds clean and crisp throughout. The music is unsurpassed. Giant Steps may give you all the Coltrane you'll ever NEED, but, eventually you'll WANT more, and when you reach that point, this is the recording you should buy.
 Coltrane Forever July 17, 2008
Carlos A Carvajal (Bogota, DE Colombia)
This album shows a magnificent Coltrane. I Think this CD must be in your music collection
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