Blues, bop ballads and beyond are all part of the catalogue from the reissue kings at Avid Records. They cover the waterfront from standards to extra-terrestrial here.
If you know nothing about John Coltrane, and don’t know where to start, THIS IS THE SET. The influential tenor/soprano saxist was just breaking loose from his stint with Miles Davis when he put out these four albums and trying various band formations before creating his 
“classic” quartet. Here, ‘Trane does have Elvin Jones/dr and McCoy Tyner/p in various settings, but also works out with Hank Jones, Tommy Flanagan, Art Taylor, Wynton Kelly and others before finding the “right” recipe. The ’59 session with Milt Jackson, Jones, Paul Chambers and MJQer Connie Kay is a delight, including some of Coltrane’s swingingest and bluesiest moments, as well as a cozy “Three Little Words,” while “Bags & Trane” is a smoker. Coltrane Jazz is an underrated gem, and he’s at his most mainstream boppingest here, while he’s also experimenting with his mouthpiece and blowing styles on “Harmonique” and breezing through “My Shining Hour.” Giant Steps is as perfect a session as you’ll ever hear in jazz, from the paradigm shifting title track (which has pianist Flanagan famously floundering) to the ethereal “Naima” as well as the exciting “Mr. PC.” The session is one worth memorizing note for note. My Favorite Things has Coltrane changing the way we heard standards with his feathery soprano on the title track, and going deep into the soul on “Every Time We Say Goodbye.” Tyner became a star on these sessions along with the leader. Life changing music.
Cecil Taylor’s piano playing made avant garde look tame. These albums from his early days is a great place to begin your appreciation of this iconoclast. The 1956 Jazz Advance brings together the influential team of Steve Lacey/ss, Dennis Charles/dr and longtime mate Buell Neidlinger/b sounding surprisingly accessible on Ellington’s “Azure” and Monk’s “Bemsha Swing.” . Making things even more exciting, Earl Griffith joins in on the vibraharp to make some REAL sparks fly. Taylor’s reading of “Love For Sale” will make you wonder if you’ve ever really heard the song before, with Ted Curson/tp and Bill Barron/ts teaming up with Taylor and Neidlinger. A take of “This Was Nearly Mine” from The World of Cecil Taylor will expand your ears to the outer reaches. A mix of deeply visceral and hard grey matter meet on the ivory under Taylor’s touch.
Lee Wiley at one time was an incredibly popular vocalist during the nascent days of the swing era, singing for the likes of Paul Whiteman. She’s caught here after those more popular times, but still in a great torchy voice on these mid 50s sessions. Along with Bobby Hackett, Stan Freeman, Joe Bushkin and Cy Walter, she does some lovely interpretations of “Manhattan” and “Street of Dreams.” A tribute album to Vincent Youmans and Irving Berlin with Freeman and Walter has her working on some clever obscurities such as “Fools Fall In Love” and “I Got Lost in His Arms.” She goes deep on “Supper Time” and bounces like a ball on “Heat Wave.” West of the Moon is one of her “must have” albums, with arrangements by Ralph Burns, making great use of “My Ideal” and “Can’t Get Out of This Mood.” She’s in a mix of settings here, ranging from harp, strings and regular jazz rhythm section, and she sounds at home in every room. 1957’s A Touch of the Blues has her with Mundell Lowe/g, Milt Hinton/b and Ben Lamond/dr with arrangements by Al Cohn and Bill Finegan. She keeps the candle burning in the window on “My Melancholy Baby,” and makes you look over your shoulder on “Someday You’ll Be Sorry.” Still sounding fresh and unique more than a half century later.
Ah! THE SPOON! If there’s a thicker voice this side of Billy Eckstine, please tell me! Blueser Jimmy Witherspoon is at his apotheosis on these sessions, with Goin’ to Kansas City being a Desert Island Disc. He’ll take you to 8th St and Vine on “Jumpin’ The Blues” and “Hootie Blues” with some steady four to the bar stomping that feels so good. A ’59 gig at the Renaissance has him with Gerry Mulligan/bs, Ben Webster/ts, Mel Lewis/dr, Leroy Vinegar/b and Jimmy Rowles/p and they take the blues to new hues on “Every Day” and “Outskirts of Town.” Swing Era stars Woody Herman and Earl Fatha Hines join the stage with Witherspoon at Monterrey and get down and dirty on “Good Rockin’ Tonight” and “Big Fine Girl.” Another show in Paris has him with Buck Clayton’s Orchestra going deep into the outfield for “Tain’t Nobody’s Business If I Do” and “See See Rider.” A collection of singles from the Modern label closes out this 2 cd set, and by the time you’re done, you’ll be long gone on that midnight train.
AVID RECORDS