Heavyweight Champion: The Complete Atlantic Recordings

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One of the true giants of jazz, tenor and soprano-saxophonist John Coltrane has influenced nearly every musician to emerge since 1960. Coltrane went through several different phases during his prime years (1955-67), from being a Dexter Gordon-influenced hard bopper to an explorative player of sheets of sound and the leader of the avant-garde.

During the 1959-61 period, Coltrane recorded for Atlantic and created some of his most significant work. Every note that Trane made for the Atlantic label is on this seven-CD boxed set which includes the music originally released on such albums as Giant Steps, Bags & Trane (a collaboration with vibraphonist Milt Jackson), Coltrane Jazz, My Favorite Things, Coltrane Plays the Blues, Ole Coltrane, The Avant-Garde, Coltrane's Sound and Alternate Takes. Such classics as Giant Steps, Naima, Cousin Mary, Mr. P.C. and My Favorite Things are among the many highlights. As a special bonus, the seventh CD is comprised entirely of previously unreleased alternate takes including nine new versions of Giant Steps. Sidemen include pianists McCoy Tyner, Hank Jones, Cedar Walton, Tommy Flanagan and Wynton Kelly, trumpeters Don Cherry and Freddie Hubbard and Eric Dolphy on alto and flute.

This very important slice of John Coltrane's musical career is fascinating, historic and innovative. The packaging is perfectly done, making this box essential for all jazz collections.

-Scott Yanow

Contents

Stairway to the Stars; The Late Late Blues; Bags & Trane; Three Little Words; The Night We Called It a Day; Be-Bop; Blues Legacy; Centerpiece; Giant Steps*; Naima*; Like Sonny*; Spiral; Countdown*; Syeeda's Song Flute*; Mr. P.C.; Cousin Mary*; I'll Wait and Pray*; Little Old Lady; Harmonique; My Shining Hour; Some Other Blues; Fifth House; Cherryco; The Blessing; Focus On Sanity; The Invisible; Bemsha Swing; Village Blues*; My Favorite Things; Central Park West; Mr. Syms; Untitled Original (Exotica); Summertime; Body and Soul*; Mr. Knight; Blues to Elvin*; Mr. Day; Blues to You*; Blues to Bechet; Satellite; Everytime We Say Goodbye; 26-2; But Not For Me; Liberia; The Night Has a Thousand Eyes; Equinox; Ole; Dahomey Dance; Aisha; Original Untitled Ballad (To Her Ladyship).

(*Includes alternate takes or versions, some previously unissued.)

John Coltrane, Tenor & Soprano Saxes; Eric Dolphy, Flute/Alto Sax; Freddie Hubbard, Don Cherry, Trumpets; Milt Jackson, Vibes; Paul Chambers, Steve Davis, Art Davis, Charlie Haden, Reggie Workman, Basses; Hank Jones, Cedar Walton, Tommy Flanagan, Wynton Kelly, McCoy Tyner, Pianos; Connie Kay, Lex Humphries, Art Taylor, Jimmy Cobb, Ed Blackwell, Elvin Jones, Drums.