Modal Coltrane
Sunday, September 23rd, 2007John Coltrane is amazing. Check him out here with Miles Davis and company (probably recorded around 1960).
This is the Miles Davis classic “So What” - the song everyone credits as the first modal jazz composition (I am not sure if this fact is true, but it is what they told me in high school).
Miles’ performance is classic Miles - simple, tasteful, colorful - everything you would expect. And then Coltrane kicks in and he rocks. The sidemen looking on are clearly blown away (Miles is indifferent, but that was his shtick). Coltrane creates an energy that is urgent and intense and he completely dominates as soon as he starts playing.
Aside from the men in Miles’ regular group, the rest of the musicians are probably studio guys in either New York or LA. I know this is strange, but the session reminds me of the video for “Touch Me Baby” by the Doors - it has the same let’s-be-cool-in-the-studio-with-large-orchestra feel. Have I lost my mind?