This album is rightfully co-credited to Don Cherry (trumpet), who ably trades blows with John Coltrane (tenor/soprano sax) throughout. The Avant-Garde also boasts the debut studio recording of Coltrane playing soprano sax -- on "The Blessing" -- in addition to his continuing advancements on tenor. Although these tracks were recorded during the summer of 1960, they remained shelved for nearly six years. Joining Coltrane and Cherry are essentially the rest of the members of the Ornette Coleman Quartet, Ed Blackwell (drums) ...
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This album is rightfully co-credited to Don Cherry (trumpet), who ably trades blows with John Coltrane (tenor/soprano sax) throughout. The Avant-Garde also boasts the debut studio recording of Coltrane playing soprano sax -- on "The Blessing" -- in addition to his continuing advancements on tenor. Although these tracks were recorded during the summer of 1960, they remained shelved for nearly six years. Joining Coltrane and Cherry are essentially the rest of the members of the Ornette Coleman Quartet, Ed Blackwell (drums) and Charlie Haden (bass) on "Cherryco" and "The Blessing," as well as Percy Heath (bass) on the remaining three selections. This is fitting, as over half of the album consists of early Coleman compositions. Coltrane's integration into this band works with some extraordinarily fresh results. Neither Cherry nor Coltrane makes any radical departures on this album; however, it's the ability of each to complement the other both in terms of modal style and -- perhaps more importantly -- texture that lends heavily to the success of these sides. Cherry's brisk and somewhat nasal intonations on "The Blessing" mimic those of Miles Davis, albeit with shorter flourishes and heavily improvised lines. When combined with Coltrane's well-placed -- if not somewhat reserved -- solos, the mutual value of both is dramatically increased. Blackwell -- the only other musician besides Cherry and Coltrane to be featured on every track -- provides some non-conventional percussive accompaniment. His contributions to "The Blessing" and workout on the aptly titled "Focus on Sanity" are primal. ~ Lindsay Planer, Rovi
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Add this copy of Avant-Garde to cart. $6.88, very good condition, Sold by HPB-Diamond rated 4.0 out of 5 stars, ships from Dallas, TX, UNITED STATES, published 1990 by Atlantic.
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Add this copy of The Avant-Garde to cart. $18.56, new condition, Sold by Importcds rated 4.0 out of 5 stars, ships from Sunrise, FL, UNITED STATES, published 1990 by Atlantic.
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The New York Times jazz critic Ben Ratcliff once called this record "unspectacular" and to some degree he is correct when compared to other Coltrane records. However 'The Avant-Garde' is far more important in terms of Coltrane?s career than the necessity of being spectacular.
For the first time on this record Coltrane is recorded playing the soprano sax, it also sees Coltrane playing with Ornette Coleman?s group ? Charlie Haden and Ed Blackwell ? musicians who did not usually record together, who both give great performances; there are some truly blistering drum solos from Blackwell throughout?
Overall Don Cherry?s trumpet is more expansive, more expressive, than Coltrane who at times seems hesitant and unsure of himself, and for this reason any fan of Don Cherry should give this album and thorough listening to. That being said, it is still interesting to hear Coltrane playing three Coleman tunes with Coleman?s band even if Coltrane?s playing sounds at times more guarded than avant-garde.
The most important aspect of this record for Coltrane enthusiasts is that ?The Avant-Garde? captures ?Trane in transition, in the ascendant, after the release of ?Giant Steps? in 1959 towards the climacteric that was ?Live at the Village Vanguard? in 1961 with his classic quartet, and this alone, is reason for purchase.
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