John Coltrane - Live In Stockholm 1963 (2009)

Featuring Coltrane's classic quartet (McCoy Tyner, Jimmy Garrison, and Elvin Jones), Live In Stockholm, 1963 is a fairly typical example of the group's set list at the time. Along with concert favorites like "Mr. P.C.," "Spiritual," and "I Want To Talk About You," there is the seldom heard "Traneing In." This minor-mood, blues swinger finds Coltrane spewing a wealth of molten tenor lines, spotlighting his mature "sheets of sound" and always expansive use of the horn's sonic palette. He contrasts the frenetic mood here and on "Mr. P.C." with the sanctified blues of "Spiritual" (featuring Coltrane on both tenor and soprano) and melancholy joy of "I Wanna Talk About You." As with most his live dates, Coltrane turns in extended explorations on all the selections, also leaving plenty of room for pianist Tyner to stretch out on more straightforward, but equally challenging solos. Drummer Jones matches the intensity of Coltrane's solo flights with propulsive and sensitive rhythmic support, while bassist Garrison anchors the proceedings with his steady and somewhat mercurial basslines. During the period when this disc was recorded, Coltrane was playing at a amazingly high level, with masterworks like A Love Supreme and Crescent just around the corner. The blend of freedom, energy, and formality in his solos make live recordings from this time a good bet for newcomers to Coltrane's work. That said, one is advised to get this Charly title only after checking out either The European Tour or Afro Blue Impressions, both 1963 recordings from the Pablo label. These discs offer a similar song selection, but better renditions, and include excellent versions of one of Coltrane's best vehicles, the ballad "Naima," which is not found on the Charly title.