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John Corcelli's avatar

Fine essay putting Coltrane’s music into context. My favourite line, “swapping out Broadway for Bombay” to describe the two chord modal version of “My Favorite Things.”

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Marshall Bowden's avatar

Very nice deep dive on this Coltrane /Dolphy period and this new release. I thoroughly enjoyed it.

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Robert C. Gilbert's avatar

Thanks so much - appreciate the kind words!

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Stygi's avatar

Great issue ✨ Really doing it for me today

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Robert C. Gilbert's avatar

Thanks so much Stygi! Glad to hear!

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Michalis Xenopoulos's avatar

I’m streaming the album as I’m reading the review -- quite a treat. Revisiting the contemporary reception of canonized performers is endlessly fascinating. Hard to believe that critics had the gall to eviscerate Coltrane, of all people. A reminder of how difficult it is to escape one’s parochialism. Another delightful piece.

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Robert C. Gilbert's avatar

Thanks so much. I do understand some of the bewilderment that greeted Coltrane's music in 1961, especially after the 'Africa/Brass' and 'Ole' sessions, as I share some of it as it pertains to the Village Vanguard recordings, but do agree that it resulted from a lack of trying to understand what Coltrane et al were trying to do.

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Andrew Jazprose Hill's avatar

What incredibly rich performances. It's quite a treat to "eavesdrop" on these sessions. Thanks for another wonderful and enriching essay, Robert.

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Robert C. Gilbert's avatar

Thanks so much! Very much enjoyed your recent essay on Tony Bennett.

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Harvey's avatar

Love the album. I know there are people complaining about the quality of the audio. To me it’s just fine, not perfect, but what do you expect from that period and live recordings. Africa is my favorite song and this piece is the only known live version of it. Thanks for writing this essay of one of my favorite jazz artists .

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Robert C. Gilbert's avatar

You're very welcome. The audio is what it is. The significance of the recordings mitigate that completely for me, especially as it unearths a live version of 'Africa,' something that was unthinkable for years and years.

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Russell C. Smith's avatar

Coltrane & Dolphy live in the Village, yes! Thanks again, Impulse records for finding these treasures.

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Eva Draper's avatar

Ahh...The Vanguard , Half Note...Smalls☺️...How I miss Those Silky, Seductive, Liberating, times in the Village...

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Robert C. Gilbert's avatar

Complete agree - we are richer for being able to hear these recordings.

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Lucian K. Truscott IV's avatar

Like living through those days in the Village again. Nice.

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