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— The Analog Vault // Essential Listening —

Coming off his superlative stints as a sideman for Miles Davis’ quintet and Thelonious Monk’s quartet, John Coltrane would herald his coming as phenomenal bandleader in his own right with his first and only record for Blue Note.

On this seminal 1958 hard bop masterpiece, headlined by its memorable title track “Blue Train”, one gets to hear a genius coming into his own, playing around with traditional melodies, experimental chord sounds and harmonic progression with the kind of chimerical vision that would characterise Trane’s career.

 Joined by Lee Morgan on trumpet, Curtis Fuller on trombone, Kenny Drew on piano, Paul Chambers on bass, and Philly Joe Jones on drums - Coltrane wielded his tenor sax with artful aplomb, demonstrating his stylistic and spiritual depth on compositions like "Moment's Notice" and “Lazy Bird.” — The Analog Vault

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On September 15, 1957, John Coltrane went into Rudy Van Gelder’s living room studio in Hackensack, New Jersey and recorded his first great masterpiece: Blue Train. The fulfillment of a handshake deal Coltrane made with Alfred Lion, it would be the legendary saxophonist’s sole session as a leader for Blue Note Records, a locomotive five track album fueled by the bluesy title track that featured a dynamic sextet with Lee Morgan on trumpet, Curtis Fuller on trombone, Kenny Drew on piano, Paul Chambers on bass, and Philly Joe Jones on drums. Blue Train established Coltrane as a force of nature and set him on a course towards becoming one of the most revered and influential jazz artists of all-time.

To mark the 65th anniversary of the album’s recording, Blue Train was released in two special editions on September 16 as part of Blue Note’s acclaimed Tone Poet Audiophile Vinyl Reissue Series - a 1-LP Mono pressing and 2-LP stereo collection.  This is the 1-LP mono pressing, which is presented in a deluxe gatefold tip-on jacket. Both Tone Poet Vinyl Editions were produced by Joe Harley, mastered by Kevin Gray from the original analog master tapes, and pressed on 180g vinyl at RTI. — (via Label)

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Although never formally signed, an oral agreement between John Coltrane and Blue Note Records founder Alfred Lion was indeed honored on Blue Train - Coltrane's only collection of sides as a principal artist for the venerable label. The album is packed solid with sonic evidence of Coltrane's innate leadership abilities. He not only addresses the tunes at hand, but also simultaneously reinvents himself as a multifaceted interpreter of both hard bop as well as sensitive balladry - touching upon all forms in between. 

The personnel on Blue Train is arguably as impressive as what they're playing. Joining Coltrane (tenor sax) are Lee Morgan (trumpet), Curtis Fuller (trombone), Kenny Drew (piano), Paul Chambers (bass), and Philly Joe Jones (drums). The triple horn arrangements incorporate an additional sonic density that remains a trademark unique to both this band and album. Of particular note is Fuller's even-toned trombone, which bops throughout the title track as well as the frenetic "Moments Notice." Other solos include Paul Chambers' subtly understated riffs on "Blue Train" as well as the high energy and impact from contributions by Lee Morgan and Kenny Drew during "Locomotion." The track likewise features some brief but vital contributions from Philly Joe Jones - whose efforts throughout the record stand among his personal best. Of the five sides that comprise the original Blue Train, the Jerome Kern/Johnny Mercer ballad "I'm Old Fashioned" is the only standard; in terms of unadulterated sentiment, this version is arguably untouchable.0 Fuller's rich tones and Drew's tastefully executed solos cleanly wrap around Jones' steadily languid rhythms.

Without reservation, Blue Train can easily be considered in and among the most important and influential entries not only of John Coltrane's career, but of the entire genre of jazz music as well. — (via AllMusic)

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Label: Blue Note 
Series: Tone Poet Series (BLP 1577 - Mono 1LP)
Format: Album, Reissue, 180g Vinyl, Gatefold, Special Edition, Mono
Reissued:2022 / Original: 1958
Genre: Jazz 
Style: Hard Bop

File under: TAV Essential Listening
File under: Jazz // Blue Note Tone Poet seres
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