Jazz Record : John Coltrane – Giant Steps

When I made the conscious decision to really dive into the jazz thing this was one of my first buys. I was listening to Bitches Brew, Mahavishnu Orchestra, Weather Report, Return To Forever,  and the like. You get the idea of the sound and style.

I caught wind of this album and I had heard of John Coltrane. The fact that he was a sax player helped ( Also I was just getting into the new CD format and someone told me this particular title sounded great).

This was a more traditional (no electricity) , hard blowing , swing, Bop, improv music. Coltrane and his session mates waste no time getting into this one. The title song opens the album and away we go. I just let the music take me to wherever the band went. All the players on the album take solo’s and are all top notch. Tommy Flannagan, Cedar Walton, Wynton Kelly on piano, Paul Chambers bass, Jimmy Cobb, Lex Humphries, Art Taylor drums. They know how to play.

I was a sax guy and listening to John Coltrane’s playing was a different experience. He has a great sound but it was his energy and power that got me. It’s relentless. Powerful stuff. This was my intro into his music and I don’t think I could have picked a better starting point. I like strapping in for a listen and this definitely was an intense listen.

This was a ‘Giant Step’ into Coltrane’s music but also into this style. I wanted more of this kind of music. I was lucky to have this album introduced to me. I really got off on it and still do. It always sounds fresh to me. Naima’ is the only slow number (JC has a great album he did with Johnny Hartman if you like a softer cooler touch) on the album and in no way does it pale to the others, it’s just a change of pace. I’ve had hours of listening pleasure with this record (and countless other JC albums) and really get lost in the music.

This album is a favorite of mine for so many reasons. It swings, it’s hard and it introduced me to John Coltrane and his music. CB is probably the wrong guy to do justice on writing about this music but all I know is I dig it big time and it moves me. I would say this is a good place to start if you are thinking of taking a plunge into these waters.  But for “Gods sake” , be careful” you might not come back.