My Favorite Things

I expected to love this album. I love Coltrane. But it's just not gelling. For whatever reason, the album comes across as a jam-session, and not a serious musical production. The balance is uneven and the sound is muted and cloudy. The majority of the album carries no understandable theme or idea. I know it's jazz, and it's supposed to be loose, but this is just frustrating!

Honestly, my favorite part of the album was Tyner's piano playing. He's a genius! I'll be looking into more of him.

Virtuosity that tilts toward easy listening

John's Coltrane's genius and inventiveness are on display on this album of public favorites, though little of his edginess. The format is easy-listening four-piece jazz -- sax, drums, keyboard and bass -- and is unlikely to offend or challenge even those unfamiliar with the genre. At least as amazing as Coltrane's wild improvisational flights are pianist McCoy Tyner's rapid fire runs up and down the keys.

Not groundbreaking, but there's ear-catching virtuosity here if you're really listeing. Aand not a bad choice for background music at the office or a party.

John Coltrane-My Favorite Things *****

This is not an album I would recommend to newer fans of Coltrane's. First A Love Supreme, then Giant Steps, then Blue Train, then, maybe My Favorite Things. For the simple fact that this can be overwhelming at times.

'My Favorite Things' the title track which opens the album is one of Coltrane most inspired recordings ever. The reworking of the show tune is done wonderfully. His Soprano Sax solos are to die for, and in fact it is Coltrane's reading of this track that inspired Robbie Kreiger of The Doors to write their biggest hit, 'Light My Fire.' Needless to say this became a standard. 'Everytime We Say Goodbye' is equally breathtaking, though less known. 'Summertime' is a classic and one that people either love or hate. For me personally, Janice Joplen, and Miles Davis did it best, Coltrane did a good job with it but it really, really, really, can over stay it's welcome with its length. 'But Not For Me' is a standard played better than ever by Trane, and is the perfect way to close the album.

As I have become quite the Coltrane fan I have realised you can some his work into two categories, craftsmanship/composing and his raw talent. This falls under the latter. His raw talent helps transform this rather dull tunes into something stellar! So five stars...? Without a doubt.

If you are new to jazz music, this is a definite must own. My third 'favorite thing' by J.C. and company right behind "A Love Supreme" & "Blue Train", this one is a no brainer. In fact, out of the 800+ jazz CD's & records I now own (and growing daily), I would put these three recordings in my top 40 favorites without thinking twice. With the one possible exception of Miles Davis, no other jazz musician is more responsible for this addiction of mine that started about six years ago. For once jazz music seeped into my veins, my life truly changed forever. This is one addiction that I don't ever wish to quit.

Coltrane was blessed to have a trio of special cats playing behind him. McCoy Tyner on piano, Elvin Jones on drums and Steve Davis on bass, the four of them play together like the L.A. Lakers did in the 80's - pure chemistry, pure magic... Tyner in particular, is something special on this one. And to think, he's still at it today!

This is Coltrane & Company at their peak. This is jazz music at its finest, four solid tunes played divinely. Hell, I could listen to "My Favorite Things" (and God knows I have!) a dozen times in a row and still never tire of it. If this doesn't do it for you, then jazz music probably isn't your thing.

Worth pointing out that (at least as of this writing) that the MP3 version pointed to from the album listing is NOT the great 1961 Atlantic recording. The MP3s are from (I think) a live television broadcast which also included Eric Dolphy on flute. The sound quality is less than stellar as a result. That said, these are great performances and well worth hearing. Just look at the track list and make sure you are getting what you expect.