John Coltrane
Lush Life
Recorded in 1957 / 1958, released in 1961
RVG 2006
CD / 2006 / 320Kbps
Tracklist:
01. Like Someone in Love
02. I Love You
03. Trane's Slow Blues
04. Lush Life
05. I Hear a Rhapsody
Recorded in Hackensack, NJ on May 31, August 16, 1957 and January 10, 1958
Personnel:
Tracks 1, 2, 3:
John Coltrane, tenor saxophone
Earl May, bass
Art Taylor, drums
Tracks 4 & 5:
John Coltrane, tenor saxophone
Red Garland, piano
Paul Chambers, bass
Donald Byrd, trumpet (track 4)
Louis Hayes, drums (track 4)
Albert Heath, drums (track 5)
LUSH LIFE is among John Coltrane's best endeavors on the Prestige label.
The first three tracks feature Coltrane without a pianist. The piano-less format is surprisingly full sounding and Coltrane's solos are at once fun loving and thoughtful. Tracks four and five feature a different rhythm section along with some elegant, delicate piano work from Red Garland.
The practically quarter-hour reading of Billy Strayhorn's "Lush Life" is not only the focal point of this album, it is rightfully considered as one of Coltrane's unqualified masterworks. . In addition, the cut features an astonishingly beautiful trumpet solo from the great Donald Byrd.
LUSH LIFE is a perfect example of the master's early playing at it’s most sensitive and exuberant.
Straight, no chaser.
:)