John Coltrane
The Complete 1961 Village Vanguard Recordings

LA RECENSIONE

Magnificent. I find myself genuinely in difficulty trying to review such a recording.
This is a testament to one of the most inspired and prolific moments in Trane's career, the testament of 6 evenings at the historic Village Vanguard of New York, during which the John Coltrane Quartet (accompanied by distinguished guests, foremost among them Eric Dolphy) gives a tangible demonstration of its undisputed brilliance.

The stylistic characteristics of the four musicians integrate with each other wonderfully, creating a perfect mosaic in which Trane's “sheets of sound” blend flawlessly with the fury and complexity of Elvin Jones’s drums, the airiness, precision, and lightness of McCoy Tyner's touch, and the driving and never predictable bass of Jimmy Garrison.
It is astonishing how effortlessly the ensemble manages to transition from the execution fury of compositions like “Impression”, “Chasin the Train” or “Brasilia” to moments of indescribable sweetness and depth, such as “Naima” or “Spiritual”.

Every note, every single musical space seems to be perfectly placed at the right moment, a symptom of the particular inspiration that must have struck the quartet during these evenings.
We must not forget the great performance given by Eric Dolphy, a musician almost idolized by John Coltrane, who with his very unique style (Miles Davis once said he played as if someone was stepping on his feet) often goes beyond the main theme lines, yet always keeps it present as a, albeit flimsy, lifeline.

A particular tribute must finally be paid to the recording. Clear, powerful (perhaps with Eric Dolphy slightly overpowering the others) capable of even bringing us the noise of glasses in the venue.

Unmissable.