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Submitted by webmaster on Sun, 02/14/2010 - 11:58
DrThiMarques | May 09, 2008
My Favorite Things is a 1961 jazz album by John Coltrane. It is considered by many jazz critics and listeners to be a highly significant and historic recording. It was the first session recorded by Coltrane on the Atlantic label, the first to introduce his new quartet featuring McCoy Tyner (Piano), Elvin Jones (Drums) and Steve Davis (Bass) - neither Jimmy Garrison nor Reggie Workman featured as yet.
It is classed as another album in which Coltrane made a break free of bop, introducing complex harmonic reworkings of such songs as "My Favorite Things", and "But Not For Me". Additionally, at a time when the soprano saxophone was considered obsolete, it demonstrated Coltrane's further investigation of the instrument's capabilities in a jazz idiom.
The standard "Summertime" is notable for its upbeat, searching feel, a demonstration of Coltrane's 'sheets of sound', a stark antithesis to Miles Davis's melancholy, lyrical version on Porgy and Bess. "But Not For Me" is reharmonised using the famous Coltrane changes, and features an extended coda over a repeated ii-V-I-vi progression.
The title track is a modal rendition of the Richard Rodgers/Oscar Hammerstein's seminal song My Favorite Things from The Sound of Music. The melody is heard numerous times throughout the almost 14-minute version, and instead of soloing over the written chord changes, both Tyner and Coltrane taking extended solos over vamps of the two tonic chords, E minor and E major. Tyner's solo is famous for being extremely chordal and rhythmic, as opposed to developing melodies. In the documentary The World According to John Coltrane, narrator Ed Wheeler remarks: "In 1960, Coltrane left Miles [Davis] and formed his own quartet to further explore modal playing, freer directions, and a growing Indian influence. They transformed "My Favorite Things", the cheerful populist song from 'The Sound of Music,' into a hypnotic eastern dervish dance. The recording was a hit and became Coltrane's most requested tune—an abridged broad public acceptance."
A cover of the title track appeared on the OutKast album The Love Below.
It is one of the most well-known examples of modal jazz, set in the Dorian mode and consisting of 16 bars of D minor7, followed by eight bars of Eb minor7 and another eight of D minor7. This AABA structure puts it in the format of popular song structure.
The piano and bass introduction for the piece was written by Gil Evans for Bill Evans and Paul Chambers on Kind of Blue. An orchestrated version by Gil Evans of this introduction is later to be found on a television broadcast given by Miles' Quintet (minus Cannonball Adderley who was ill that day) and the Gil Evans Orchestra; the orchestra gave the introduction after which the quintet produced a rendition of the rest of "So What".
The distinctive voicing employed by Bill Evans for the chords that interject the head, from the bottom up three perfect fourths followed by a major third, has been given the name "So What chord" by such theorists as Mark Levine.
While the track is taken at a very moderate tempo on Kind Of Blue, it is played at an extremely fast tempo on later live recordings by the Quintet, such as Four and More.
The same chord structure was later used by John Coltrane for his standard "Impressions".
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1 comment
Selected viewer comments from http://www.youtube.com/comment_servlet?all_comments=1&v=0I6xkVRWzCY
Total number of comments- 559
Posted in 2009:
rockandroller1318- I absolutely love this song
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llExll - for some reason, the way this particular video introduces the song is much more powerful than the entire length of it contained in another.
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CrazyDivaSamii- I wish I could that... Jazz flute.... Wow...
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irishman05050505- Oh my God, is there really anything else to say? That's the best song I've ever heard...
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motshelathupa- this is such a great song. talk about great talent
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jacquesjapan- I know. It's like the guys that climb Everest without oxygen. You just know, you will never be ONE of the THEM. =(
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terrapingee - That's a sentiment I feel when listening to JC. I could devote the rest of my life to the sax and never approach the magic that he brings to the instrument. It makes me sad and happy at the same time. Happy because there are people who transcend, and sad that they are so rare and that I could never achieve anything like that myself.
Some people are just touched with something special.
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simnice-how bout being one with them. thats good enough for me
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Praguedive - Live in Japan, 1966. That was the best recording of this song. But this one is great too
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ToeIn2194 - This is a life experience all unto itself.You.post person are bringing to this current souless world a piece of unique holiness.Very few can listen to this and not be changed in their way of viewing the human experience and the way of the true artist.I thank you from the deepest part of my tormented sometimes heart.
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TheGabez0- ITS PERFECTION...
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Albertarecords7ny- This is absolutely enchanting. This historic quartet is perspicuously of single mind and body. If ever there was a standard, Trane embodied it mind and soul. This is perhaps my favorite Trane composition; it's simply a masterpiece. Thanks for posting this gem.
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dugitomi- great music by a god. John Coltrane, may he rest in everlasting soulful peace, still gives me at least one good example of the finer instincts of the human race. the world lost a lot of light the day he died. thankfully, he recorded prolifically. which brings me to a point that i feel should be mentioned, if it hasn't already (halfway thru the comments i got bored). Giant Steps and Coltrane Jazz were his first two Atlantic recordings, and I assume releases. you are correct about the band.
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jbalint1 - who is on the flute
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polymath7- Eric Dolphy without a doubt.
This is magnificent.
This is human creativity and artistic profundity at its very best.
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stankology- Yes the one and only Eric Dolphy. I saw a documentary on his life. There is footage of him playin his flute along with birds in his back yard!
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WC7495- this is so so so so good...not that big of a jazz fan at all but my god!
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JeraldRJ1- 3 favors from Miles: he hired Trane, fired Trane, gave Trane a soprano. Check out "Ev'ry Time We Say Goodbye"
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Praguedive- Though this is a great Coltrane recording, I think he should be famous not because of this, but because of his later work, especially the stuff he made between '65 and '67, the ones before he died. If you listen to his Live in Japan recordings, for instance, you'll really see a complete grown man, at the height of his inspiration. Please, if you absolutely adore this man, check out albums like Japan. They're the best you can get.
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dantean - I'm always saddened when I hear this beautiful, pre-"free jazz" Trane b/c of how little I care for the music's subsequent running away from melody. I don't require melodies at all times in all music, but the decision to abandon it (almost) entirely as some sort of unnecessary "European prediliction" makes me think of the ship's captain who sets sail convinced there could never arise any circumstance under which he may wish to have taken an anchor along w him. So he just drifts...endlessly
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oOJimmySueOo -the loss of melody, if you were to ask me, is a trace back to the roots of music, not jazz, but music.
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dantean- I didn't mean to suggest Jazz killed melody, tho, interestingly its 'Trane himself who is the transitional figure from what what was being done b4 to the modal (i.e., we don't need no steenkin' melody") free jazz era (some of which I love, don't get me wrong). Crudely put, European classical music was always more melody-driven (w its own harmonic interests), African-based musics more interested in rhythm (w ITS own harmonic interests). Too complicated to relate here of course--I just like a mix!
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gospelkeys07- What's his piano player's name??
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MrXandru- McCoy Tyner
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gospelkeys07-ur kidding! I didn't know he played in anyone else's trio, certainly not Trane. I have so much to learn.
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maddi62 -E pedal point throughout virtually the whole piece is an odd choice of bassline for a song so rich in possiblities. Nah i stick by my point of view. I dont think these guys know this song
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mstern18- sure, like most "standards" there are lots of possibilities. but this is the one they chose. I think they did know the song but they wanted to make it into something else. Music does not have to be complex in a particular way (here, harmonically) to be interesting. I think that Coltrane and his band took a pretty tune from a musical and transformed it into their own really beautiful work with depth and soul.
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ndeamonk- @mstern18 Hello, Just wanted to tell you that your comment about Trane and his crew is sublime and remarkable. Honestly, I have been a Trane fan for over a decade and this encouraged me to listen to this piece in a whole new way.
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maddi62 -Haha. here again. Wow, can u believe i bin censored...by jazz people..of all. Ek. U might not like the comments but, hey, it's just my opinion. No need to get all...antsy an all. If you like this stuff, good on yer, there room for everybody innit. Thing is i'm not sure if it just down to taste or if there somethin i'm really not grasping. I'm up for it if there some kinda intellectual concept i need to master to appreciate this stuff.
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arp1978- Fair dues for being open minded enough to give it a try. I love it but it's not everyone's taste. There is no intellectual concept, just subjective taste in music.
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beetz15s- just listen to the modal shift and let it talk to you!
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oRuTRa45- Man, I could listen to/watch Elvin Jones play all day. One of my favorite drummers to listen to and try to emulate.
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thrshr2112 amazing performance
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HolbyCityHospital- music from the soul for the soul.
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PeechCutie- This song and music is remarkable. It gets my soul so excited and I can close my eyes and just see the music. AMAZING!!!
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dreadful08 - i wish this were better sound quality..... this has such a warming effect on my insides
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rgb4 - This performance was recorded in a radio studio in Baden-Baden, Germany, on Dec. 4, 1961.
The sound is bad on this posting of the video: there are other postings of it on You Tube with better sound.
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Posted in 2010:
bananapeel96- Whos playing flute?
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Bomkauf- Eric Dolphy on the flute...he and Coltrane were close friends and similarly disciplined (verging on monomaniacal) about their playing and musical explorations...
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phishinvan- Coltrane is the man, but as a drummer, I'm LOVING the great shots of the drummer. WOW!!!
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JazzWithoutANet - Can you imagine being one of the audience witnessing this revolutionary progression of a standard? There needs to be a John Coltrane movie made at some point.
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deelitedino - American music at it's peak !
And in the 50's he would have had to sit at the back of the bus ..... discraceful ... one of the best muscians of all time ...
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shadesparty- It's so funny. I could never stand the sound of music version. Then one day i heard one of John Coltrane's versions. I could not stop listening. I was so amazed by it. And the ones together with Eric Dolphy are even better. John Coltrane was a genius and still is my all time favorite musician. Thanks you so much for uploading.
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eeewaa1- Thank's a lot, cause other channel in japan this clip was eraced,so i miss dolphy .
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BigRondaDon100- Mr. John Coltrane is the reason I love Jazz music!!!
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TheMinor2major - I like jazz because you don't have to worry about cursing and underlying messages
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Princec5 - Andre 3000 did a cover of this on his Love Below album
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Olgagusli- One of the most incredible things I've heard on Earth!..
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IvanTheCat- @TheMinor2major What the hell, if there WAS cursing in jazz I would still enjoy it. And jazz often does have underlying messages in vocal works. I like jazz because it's beautiful, introspective, and unique.
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Chope89- Coltrane's melodic lines never cease to amaze me. I remember this was the first Coltrane tune I ever listened to.
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kynykos - THIS is one of my favourite things lol
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nyterpfan- This is one of the greatest musical compositions I've ever heard in my life...a breathtaking mosaic of swirling, beautiful sound..sublime genius!!
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LinkBulletBill -@realbigdipper
It was jazz, the person was feeling something and portrayed through improvisation. Listen and feel his emotions, you could do crazy things with jazz.
You either love or hate it...
I appreciated it, but hated it, but appreciated the 'flute' solo.
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[The following comment is edited because of Jambalayah's no profanity policy.]
LeeKav- I saw a documentary once where they said that Coltrane often played entire gigs of just this song. I must know: Where... can I hear or see this?
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Muziekproffesor- @LeeKav Well just check out the live in Japan 4cd box set.One of the discs
exists entire of one aprox.54 minutes
of just that one composition
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resisthexcept - @LeeKav haha i read somewhere that when coltrane liked a song it would always be a very long version. Im guessing this was his favorite song. if i remember right theres a couple versions of this song that are 20+ minutes long on a couple cds.
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PlanetBongoSan-@resisthexcept yep i have one of those recordings, i save it for those really special occasions when i need something the world just isnt giving me. i wish i could have seen this live.
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rideronthestorm94 – this is where the doors got the music for light my fire, atleast the solos anyway. sounds quite similar, very neat : )
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LawyerTom1944 - In the 60's I DJed a jazz show on the local radio station. Coltrane was always a standard. I still have a number of his original albums. My kids love him too. A true master at work.
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EstumanoProf- Wonderful Soprano Sax. It's my favorite song.
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cazadordemolinos- I'm too young to have seen Coltrane live, but about two years ago I attended a gig by McCoy Tyner and his group in Mexico CIty. They blew me away! It's great how regardless of Mr. Tyner's age, the ideas just keep pouring out of him. Long live jazz
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WhiteHendrix - is it just me or does the flute solo semi-ruin the song? its probably the recording quality. but still. the only part he nails is the melody.
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cjee246- @WhiteHendrix
i agree with u... i think he hits some bad notes, personal opinion... great overall tho
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ChiWehWeh- @WhiteHendrix I disagree. This is the sound of Jazz! The flute is always the maverick. The unpredictable rebel that ties everything together.
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11xzxzxz - I am mostly into indie, alternative, folk, and various rock and pop. I have tried to like Jazz but about 10 years ago I finally found this .. all I can say is this is the best jazz record I have ever heard. So glad I can listen and no longer think Sound of Music.
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hithatrollz - Best Jazz group ever assembled. Elvin just builds, and builds, and builds, he opens doors while Coltrane kicks them down.
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2KGrind09 - timeless classic
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ravenslaves- The sad thing, from a players point of view, is that the horns were good (some great) the players were amazing, but those old mouthpieces were terrible, tone suckers. They always come off like Kazoos in the old recordings. I'd love to hear these masters of jazz (all of them), play with the mouthpieces we have today.
It's a fantasy, but a good one.
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lecookdenyc- The original jam band.
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njclondon2009- ah man, this sounds absolutely brilliant , that old school sound.... can someone identify all the musicians in this clip for me please?
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jamyro22- @njclondon2009 : John Coltrane ( band leader ) on sax soprano; Reggie Workman on bass; Elvin Jones on drums; Eric Dolphy on flute ; & Mc Coy Tyner on piano !
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efanoos1 - Brilliant! one of the best jazz thing songs in History
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Cagedbirdfree- Basking in the sounds of pure music is one of my "favorite things". John takes you on a journey of discovery. Truly brings me to a place of PURE JOY! Thanks for posting
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sweeterv - back in 61 & 62 I was living in new york this was my favorite group I use to see them all the time at the villege vangard & the apollo they were really something else I use to love elvin jones driving everybody on the band stand the videos can only show so much you all should have been there to catch that GROOVE thanks everbody Sweet Erv phx az.
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dresser1474 - The first two minutes and fifteen seconds is very haunting, extraordinary, and Priceless!!!!!!!!!!!!
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odilonqwert- the first ten minutes was perfect...
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MRSLATE810 - What a legend. RIP JC!!!!!!!
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ALVIN1983100 - beautiful!!! the 1st time i fellin love with this i was 10 yrs old watching the old sound of music. then i was at a get together and wanted to know who is THAT? so i got skooled on this genius JOHN COLTRANE been hooked from that moment. the past 2yrs.
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1994girliluvmyself - I may be young but i know what good music is, no old folk can tell me what i listen to is garbage because obviously they dont know that i listen to one of the greatest jazz musicians there ever was!!!!
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hipp6y- hearing this is worth living for
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mrjamezz- WOW!!!! BEST MUSIC EVER PLAYED
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bmtsctx2- John Coltrane is brilliant. His soul pours out of the horn every time he plays it. McCoy Tyner is one of the most crystalline piano players ever. I have listened to this for 30 years. Anyone who thinks this stinks knows nothing about pure freedom.
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gotmeagrape - i want this recording lol with the jazz flute. love jazz flute. love john coltrane and mccoy and elvin and steve.
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bamaceo59- Why didnt my white teachers teach us about John Coltrane in band class???? I need to sue the educational system for racial bias in the arts.
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Yahaatee- The best ! He is great ! One of the most beautiful and moving standard ! A master !
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Silkman44- I think by the time this album and this video was made, John's horrid heroin addiction was over. Watching this knowing the hell he had been through for many years adds an added dimension to my praise of this music master. Knowing his background while watching this....makes me cry.
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bmbrown125 - I grew up listening to John Coltrane and other great Jazz Musicians. I remember asking my mother," Ma, can we hear My Favorite Things next?" I was a little girl who could scat and had an ear for jazz.. This video is WONDERFUL. Thanks for sharing it with us.
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Lymdarosela- @bmbrown125 Wow...so cool you could scat when you were a kid...
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iketeddy - This video explifies why I believe music should be a mandatory class in our school system. The mastery of an instrument is surreal, peaceful and a life-long tool for serenty.
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sockmonkeyish - Thank you so much for posting this video, and especially for the detailed information on the LP (isn't YouTube great?).
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aktxag - I am officially an old man. I finally understand the Greatness of Coltrane. I have become my father!
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ohworldgirl- @aktxag haha! good one. I know EXACTLY what you mean...
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guidobondioli- This is inspired and inspiring. I remember hearing it when it was released. It was stunning in its newness.
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BeautelligentDiva79 - This is beyond words for me. God I miss performing music!
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missakyna- This is pretty much my favorite song! It's absolutely amazing. I fell in love with this song the first time I heard it a little over two years ago. John Coltrane's a beast.
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Indestructable61- Is that Coltrane playing a flute? and a soprano? in the same song? HUGE embouchre change!
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Johnymo- @Indestructable61 It's actually Eric Dolphy, one of Trane's closest equals/truest friends musically and spritually. An equally competent musician with interesting ideas of his own who, unfortunately, died an early age, much like his mentor. Look him up!
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gershl00 - Great piece - The whole group is together. Nice to see some of Eric Dolphy - a great talent whose body of work is, unfortunately, not that well promoted or preserved
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Chillscreen40- I like it a lot. Recommend listening to Body and Soul - Coleman Hawkins
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crossbronx63 -Let me grab this video before these people pull it again
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DreamColossal - Coltrane is amazing...as a poet I finally understand why so many poets reference him and his importance in their works
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kamaboko78- its as if he tamed the "chaos" around him.
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Gigashi- AHHH <3
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radiobrain94- Elvin Jones is so clean!!! I'm not even a drummer and i still OMG everytime I listen to this song!!!
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robbak40- When I first heard this ,I was in love with Jazz!!! (40) Years ago!!!
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guidobondioli-it is 50 years old and still sounds fresh.
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owejens1 - I always have to cry after listening and understanding the greatness of Free Jazz and especially Coltrane!!!
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Mynameisnotjoao- This is just... AMAZING!
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mcrdaveabc- once in a very blue moon phase comes genius that goes beyond the known entity of music and Trane's sound is our gift
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DocsDryLilly - I love this twist on the classic from the Sound of Music. I like what he does with the melody, kind of playing with it and improvising. John Coltrane is very talented, and his music kind of lulls you into it, I found myself daydreaming while listening to this one. I loved all the different instruments used and how the musicians make them sound as pasionate as they are.
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RealAlexStoia- This song like the previous is very beautiful. I like how Coltrane uses his instrument almost as if it was his voice. It really is a unique way in which he plays music which is really, really nice. it makes it very interesting to listen to because of his one and only style that is so smooth and crazy in a way at the same time.
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phillyslasher - I love Coltrane but McCoy Tyner's piano solo has always been my favorite part of this amazing song. :)
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happyazn247-These John Coltrane videos are just to interesting and appealing to me. Its not just because there are not lyrics, yet the music itself serves as a good interpretation of the poem. The music is so appealing to the ears. It sets a really good atmosphere. I love Coltrane's style of music.