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| | Mostly Coltrane | | | Music Artist : | | Steve Kuhn | | Music Style : | | General | | Record Label : | | ECM Records | | Release Date : | | 2009-07-07 | | Store Price : | | $17.98 | | Artistopia's Price: $13.99 | | Usually ships in 24 hours | | |
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CD Tracks/Songs
Disc 11. Welcome
2. Song Of Praise
3. Crescent
4. I Want To Talk About You
5. The Night Has A Thousand Eyes
6. Living Space
7. Central Park West
8. Like Sonny
9. With Gratitude
10. Configuration
11. Jimmy's Mode
12. Spiritual
13. Trance
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Other Artist Albums
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Customer Reviews of This Album/CD |
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 THE NEW BILL EVANS
Submitted on: 2009-10-22 |
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| KUHN PLAYS A BEAUTIFUL VERSION OF LATE SINGER BILLY ECKSTINE'S "I WANT TO TALK ABOUT YOU." IF YOU LIKE THE PIANO OF BILL EVANS YOU WILL ALSO LIKE THE PIANO TO STEVE KUHN. |
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 Coltrane Illuminated
Submitted on: 2009-09-16 |
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Just plain gorgeous! Not since Pee Wee Russell tackled Coltrane's music in the mid'60's has the Coltrane ouevre been so illuminated. Kuhn has always been one of jazz's most probing and intelligent pianists, and his touch appears to have only improved with age. Lovano, of course, is our current titan of the tenor saxophone, and this outing will only burnish that reputation. And Joey Baron may very well be the best drummer playing today. It is at once revealing and reassuring to see how durable this music is and how receptive to the creative vision of others. In many instances it is truly like hearing these things for the first time and realizing how beauty truly was the cornerstone of Coltrane's work.
One of the many wonderful things about this CD is the relative brevity of the selections: the longest ("The Night Has A Thousand Eyes") is 8:41 long and the shortest ("With Gratitiude")3:37. Most clock in at four or five minutes. Coltrane, particularly in his later years, could be long-winded and portentous, and the compression and succinctness of these arrangements only heightens the inner poetry.
Kuhn really does have a genius for reincarnating settled material, and even "Trance", which he wrote way back in 1974 and has played thousands of times since, sounds absolutely newborn. And, as always with ECM, the recording quality is peerless. |
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Another Fine ECM Release
Submitted on: 2009-09-16 |
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John Coltrane was at his peak way before my time so while he is very nearly worshiped by jazz cognoscenti, I have never had much experience of his music. That changed somewhat when Mostly Coltrane was highly recommended by a friend whose tastes in music are similar to mine. That this release came from ECM was the deciding factor in my acquisition of the CD.
There is so much great music out there waiting to be heard that it is well nigh impossible to hear it all. Until now, I had never heard of pianist Steve Kuhn or any other member of the trio. However the name of Joe Lovano struck a chord. Those who know Coltrane's music well are in a far better position to discuss the technical aspects of this release, I can only tell you what I like.
Mostly Coltrane is a CD that takes some commitment on the part of the listener to just sit back and listen. Any distractions detract from one's full enjoyment of the music. Mellow is the word for most of this, I happen to most like the cuts that slightly rise above that description. My favorites are Song of Praise which reminds me of a lot of the old CTI style, the classic The Night Has A Thousand Eyes, and the energetic Like Sonny. Only the presence of a few cacophonic pieces subtracts a star from the overall rating.
The CD is accompanied by a stylish yet subdued booklet containing pertinent album info and pictures of the musicians in action. As usual, the ECM standard of quality is apparent throughout. So if you are the kind of listener who just enjoys virtuoso performances regardless of your familiarity with the music, then Mostly Coltrane should find an honored place in your CD collection. |
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Kuhn on Coltrane
Submitted on: 2009-09-10 |
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| I think this album helps confirm two things: that John Coltrane composed some beautiful music (which is not news), and that even applying a bit of ECM-style patina to that music does not diminish its beauty. All concerned seem on top form here, and the selections are just gorgeous in a lush, plush way. |
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Sublime artistry
Submitted on: 2009-08-31 |
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Although not familiar with Mr. Kuhn's work, I had a veridical hunch that this recording would be excellent. Why?
1. Joe Lovano, one of the most distinctive and virtuostic saxophonists of our played on it.
2. Mr. Kuhn had played briefly with John Coltrane.
3. It was the music of John Coltrane.
4. ECM, the incomparable, was the label.
All the musicians have a deep sensitivity for this music, which they play respectfully but creatively. You feel the spirit of Trane, but as it is reflected throught the prism of each of these superb musicians. Mr. Kuhn is a rich and sometimes surprising pianist. Mr. Lovano has gotten completely inside these pieces and Trane's playing as well. He is confident in his own voice, yet inspired by the feel of Trane. Mr. Baron is highly creative and plays the difficult no-time pieces flawlessly.
The band plays material from all of Trane's moods, including some of the more difficult late-period music, which takes considerable courage to play. They execute it all flawlessly.
There is beauty in this world. Let us give thanks and enjoy it. |
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