Live at the Village Vanguard

by John Coltrane, John Coltrane Quartet

Overview

This set documents the four-night stand by John Coltrane (sax) and his quintet at the Village Vanguard in New York City, November 1 -- 5, 1961. Although these are not newly discovered tapes -- as the majority of the selections have turned up on no less than five separate releases -- their restoration is significant in assessing motifs in Coltrane's [read: multi-show] live appearances. Coltrane is accompanied by an all-star ensemble of Eric Dolphy (alto sax/bass clarinet), Garvin Bushell (oboe/contrabassoon), Ahmed Abdul-Malik (oud), McCoy Tyner (piano), Jimmy Garrison (bass), Reggie Workman (bass), Elvin Jones (drums), and Roy Haynes (drums). Their presence is as equally vital as Coltrane's -- inspiring as well as informing the dimensions of improvisation. With the knowledge that the entire run was being documented to create some sort of retail document, Coltrane chose nine specific compositions to concentrate on. The choice of material likewise had a tremendous impact on the personnel of the band -- evidenced by Bushnell's contributions during "Spiritual" and Abdul-Malik's within the context of the extended "India." Each set bears its own distinctive shading and emphasis. Parties wishing to hear the run in its entirety are encouraged to check out the multi-disc Complete 1961 Village Vanguard Recordings (1997) as there are multiple takes of the same songs. This allows even the most unsophisticated jazz consumer the opportunity to note the difference in the various versions, while contrasting the player's widely diverse performance styles. The highly recommended box set also includes a nine-panel fold out poster, 48-page liner notes booklet -- with a complete discography for the included material -- and other ephemera, such as rarely published photographs. ~ Lindsay Planer

Product Details

Release Date:	01/14/2022
Label:	Impulse! / Verve
UPC:	0602438075751
Rank:	36632

Tracks

1. Spiritual
2. Softly as in a Morning Sunrise
3. Chasin' the Trane

Album Credits

Performance Credits

John Coltrane   Primary Artist,Sax (Tenor),Sax (Soprano)
John Coltrane Quartet   Primary Artist
Reggie Workman   Guest Artist,Bass (Acoustic),Bass
Eric Dolphy   Guest Artist,Flute,Sax (Alto),Clarinet (Bass)
Elvin Jones   Guest Artist,Drums
McCoy Tyner   Guest Artist,Piano
Roy Haynes   Drums
Ahmed Abdul-Malik   Oud,Bass
Jimmy Garrison   Bass

Technical Credits

Bob Thiele   Audio Production,Producer
John Coltrane   Composer
Charlie Haden   Composer
Josh Haden   Composer
Robert Flynn   Cover Design
Rudy Van Gelder   Engineer
Todd Whitelock   Mastering
Sigmund Romberg   Composer
Cameron Mizell   Production Coordination
Bill Levenson   Reissue Supervisor
Oscar Hammerstein II   Composer
Nat Hentoff   Liner Notes
Hollis King   Art Direction
Isabelle Wong   Package Design