Coltrane - Live @ the Half Note review

With the release of 2005’s “One Up, One Down - Live @ the Half Note”, Impulse Records continues its fine tradition of sustaining the almost mythical career of the great jazz saxophonist John Coltrane. Only four songs fill the 2 discs of this historical live recording, each averaging over 20 mins in length, but all are breathtakingly captivating to even the most casual Coltrane fan. Printed right below the track listing is the amazing line-up Coltrane put together as his quartet for these two shows – McCoy Tyner on piano, Jimmy Garrison on bass and Elvin Jones on drums – all masters of their instruments and on these nights of March 26th and May 7th of 1965 at the Half Note, legendary towering gods of their craft.

Disc 1’s opening track, the title song “One Up, One Down”, starts things off with some of Coltrane’s most thrilling playing and fearless improvisation ever recorded. “Afro Blue” is performed with its usual break-neck grace and swing, allowing Tyner to showcase his nimble, long sauntering bursts of notes. In the ensuing 22 minutes of this version of “My Favorite Things”, the entire band goes well beyond simply putting their stamp on this signature Coltrane opus and proceeds to cover every base from the Von Trapps to the Cantina Band of Tatooine and everything in between.

These two discs swell with genius and are an amazing document to this historic quartet that played with unrivaled passion and absolute conviction. As bandleader, Coltrane displays all that he is famous for – mind-numbing eruptions of notes that seem to go on forever mixed with shorter, more delicate passages that wrap around you like a warm blanket. On drums, Elvin Jones continually pushes Coltrane to his limits and challenges man’s own physical confines as he endlessly flexes his skill at every harmonic turn, never overplaying or outdoing the biggest name on the marquee. Likewise, Tyner’s piano talents are called into action throughout each of the four pieces on this set, complementing Coltrane’s fluid style and making the best of every opportunity to flourish when given the spotlight to solo or lead the band. Executing his duties like an assassin, with the least amount of flash of any musician on stage, Garrison’s subtle but soulful bass lines become the necessary rock that anchors the other musicians during the most experimental portions of the jams.

It’s now been 40 years since Coltrane’s death, precisely the same amount of time as his own existence. His genius was instantly recognized back then and his recordings have long been collected by jazz fans all over the world ever since he put a mouthpiece to his pursed lips. This, in and of itself, is a true testament to the greatness and longevity of his craft. Yet, we can also take solace in knowing that buried treasures like this release are being made available to us now while the possibility of future undiscovered gems will continue to keep us all waiting with mad anticipation.