Requisites

Dear Old Stockholm ~ John Coltrane | By Eddie Carter

Fans of modern Jazz know that during his lifetime, John William Coltrane redefined the sound of jazz on the tenor sax, making some of his most important contributions while recording for Impulse Records from 1961 to his passing in 1967. It’s with one of the lesser-known releases in his discography that I begin this first report of 2021. Dear Old Stockholm (Impulse GRD-120) is a 1993 CD-album featuring Coltrane playing to the beat of a different drummer, Roy Haynes. Roy replaced the quartet’s regular drummer, Elvin Jones on the two sessions comprising this delightful album, April 29, 1963 (tracks: 1 and 2), and May 26, 1965 (tracks: 3 to 5).  McCoy Tyner on piano, and Jimmy Garrison on bass complete the quartet.

Dear Old Stockholm is a traditional Swedish folk song that Miles Davis liked enough to record several times. John adapts this tune as easily as if it were created for jazz with a very impressive opening statement, weaving gracefully in unison with Jimmy’s bass and Roy’s assertive timekeeping.  McCoy contributes some stirring solo work on the finale before the foursome takes the song out.

After The Rain is one of the most beautiful compositions Coltrane ever wrote and opens with a passionate gracefulness by the saxophonist on the melody. He continues with an intimate reading conveying a refined elegance leading to a hauntingly beautiful climax. The quartet returns to uptempo on the saxophonist’s One Down, One Up. John charges into the lead solo of this fire-breathing cooker with an incandescent performance relentlessly. McCoy continues the aggressive beat with a dynamic high-octane reading that’ll leave the listener’s ears sizzling. The tenor man gives a few final exhilarating statements before the song’s closing moments.  After The Crescent opens with an introduction to the children’s song, Ring Around The Rosie. The similarity ends there because Trane and his bandmates take us on an exuberant joyride with two ferocious readings from Tyner and Coltrane. The walloping tones from Garrison’s bass and the brilliant brushwork by Haynes give both soloists a propulsive lift that’s exciting preceding the ensemble’s closing chorus.

The closer is a mid~tempo tune by John titled Dear Lord. This song is a perfect vehicle for a passionate performance by John Coltrane who shows his lyrical side on the first solo with charming simplicity. McCoy makes an indelible impression on the closing statement with a delicately tender interpretation, ahead of John’s return for the emotionally touching coda.  The album was originally recorded by Rudy Van Gelder and digitally remastered by Robert Stoughton.

In my opinion, he did a fantastic job because the sound quality is superb with a stunning soundstage that brings the musicians into your listening room for your enjoyment. To some fans, this CD-album may not have the infinitely explosive spirit of the classic Coltrane quartet with Elvin Jones that so many are acquainted with.  However, in my opinion, Dear Old Stockholm is an enticing invitation to explore and enjoy a fascinating album showing John Coltrane’s versatility as one of the legendary masters of jazz! Do your ears a favor and check it out, it’s sure to become a welcome addition to your jazz collection!

Dear Old Stockholm – Source: Wikipedia.org

© 2020 by Edward Thomas Carter

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