Coltrane: The Impulse! Albums Volume Four

[Clunky]

If these get a UK issue I might go for it. I don't have any of the albums included in the set - having little late-Coltrane in my collection. I prefer vinyl but these might do the trick nicely.

[John L]

Somebody explain to me the appeal of this set please. Haven't all of these titles been released before in a myriad of forms from their initial release? What am I missing here that would want to make me shell out $65 to own yet another reissue?

Sidestepping the points Shawn makes, there's the mastering which in my opinion has been in the previous three volumes excellent enough to just forget other versions, and the fact that these are presented as copies of the original lps in track listing and packaging. For some of us, this was the way we first heard the music (in my case in the 'seventies) and it can be the way we'd like to experience them now. (I really enjoy that now.)

As a matter of fact, when I bought the Complete John Coltrane Quartet on Impulse Box when it was first released, and sold most individual discs that were duplicated on this box, I really regretted my decision for a while. The programming on that box was so bad that I stopped actually listening to the music for a while, and contemplated buying back the individual CDs that I sold. Now, through iTunes, I have it all programmed the way that I want it. Otherwise, I would be all over these releases.

[J.A.W.]

As a matter of fact, when I bought the Complete John Coltrane Quartet on Impulse Box when it was first released, and sold most individual discs that were duplicated on this box, I really regretted my decision for a while. The programming on that box was so bad that I stopped actually listening to the music for a while, and contemplated buying back the individual CDs that I sold.

I like the programming on that box, the chronology gives me an impression of Coltrane's musical development during the Impulse! quartet years. I also have the individual albums on CD, by the way.

Edited July 17, 2011 by J.A.W.

[Chuck Nessa]

I still want to know the original sources for the new masters.

[jazzbo]

Let us know if you find anything out.

[king ubu]

I'm with Hans, liking the quartet box quite a lot - it was rather revelatory for me to be able to hear all the sessions in chronological order!

However, I do feel sorry about having sold a few of the individual discs... so I bought several of them again in the meantime.

[Tjazz]

5-CD $58.73 Amazon

[colinmce]

Unless the packaging is somehow different, that's complete crap. But maybe that price point is just what it takes to get this set on the market in 2011.

[jazzbo]

Well, I look at it as five 12 dollar cd reissues in a slipcase. Doesn't seem outrageous to me in this day and age.

[colinmce]

AS a 5xCD set I think that's pretty reasonable. I just meant the pricing is off in relation to the other 3 volumes.

[jazzbo]

Yeah. The telling thing here it's on Hip-O. Which means it's going to cost more no matter what and probably two additonal things: Verve is doing less and less as regards "big" reissues on their own, and they don't think this volume (and probably any other that sneaks out) will sell in the numbers the other three have/would.

They're probably right on the second point. IF these are new remasters from those that appeared in the US on cd in the past, they'll be worth it to me. If not, well, I'll get it anyway, I really liked the other three boxes. I'm a poster child for Coltrane, Davis, Monk and a few others' reissue programs.

Edited July 26, 2011 by jazzbo

[Bluesnik]

Seems like the 4th box with the original Impulse albums is on its way at the 30th of August. Now released by Hip-O-Select. I have the three previous boxes, and will welcome this new release.

but aren't the impulse albums available individually?

[jazzbo]

In the US, not all these five are in print as individual albums. At least one, to my knowledge has never been released individually in the US.

I think Om hasn't been available as a separate US release since 1989. Not sure Selflessness ever has been a separate US cd. And Cosmic Music has only been available on cd from Japan, quite some time ago; copies are very expensive.

Selflessness and Om were/are available on the Major Works of John Coltrane two cd set from 1992. Exprrssion is available on cd from 1993 and At the Village Vanguard Again from 1997. I don't think it's unusual to see new re-amsterings available after this amount of time and I hope/think we'll get them. 14 to 22 years is a long time in digital mastering technology.

Edited July 26, 2011 by jazzbo

[romualdo]

Looks like Set #5 is being released on September 20

can't find any individual album listings

methinks this is an error - that's the same date of release as Vol. 4

A few sites have this release listed as Vol. 5!!

this is getting confusing

check the MTV site

http://www.mtv.com/music/artist/coltrane_john/albums.jhtml?albumId=2740715

it shows Vols 4 & 5 (different covers) but both being released on Nov 1

So, is there a Vol. 5 in the wings??

Edited August 22, 2011 by romualdo

[JETman]

Looks like Set #5 is being released on September 20

can't find any individual album listings

methinks this is an error - that's the same date of release as Vol. 4

A few sites have this release listed as Vol. 5!!

this is getting confusing

check the MTV site

http://www.mtv.com/music/artist/coltrane_john/albums.jhtml?albumId=2740715

it shows Vols 4 & 5 (different covers) but both being released on Nov 1

So, is there a Vol. 5 in the wings??

Upon closer inspection, it appears Vol. 5 will be following on the heels of Vol.4. Both Amazon and CD Universe have the release date for Vol. 4 set at 9/6/11. CD Universe has the release date for Vol. 5 set as 9/20/11; Amazon has the release date as 10/4/11. Experience has told me that Amazon is usually quicker to update (and make more accurate) release dates.

[mjzee]

In addition, look at this...looks like another "Beat The Boots" production:

Coltrane Live at Temple University - Universal Japan

[Chuck Nessa]

Japanese release I see. Over $50 for a single cd. I don't think so.

[Chuck Nessa]

BTW, lots of fine bonus tracks being lost along the way. For example I think they should have included Number One on the Expression disc. I understand the format but will not be buying the future boxs including lp issues of the leftovers.

[cliffpeterson]

Live at Temple university 1966 is available from the

Free Factory label for a lot less than $50.00

[Pete C]

In the US, not all these five are in print as individual albums. At least one, to my knowledge has never been released individually in the US.

I think Om hasn't been available as a separate US release since 1989. Not sure Selflessness ever has been a separate US cd. And Cosmic Music has only been available on cd from Japan, quite some time ago; copies are very expensive.

Selflessness and Om were/are available on the Major Works of John Coltrane two cd set from 1992. Exprrssion is available on cd from 1993 and At the Village Vanguard Again from 1997. I don't think it's unusual to see new re-amsterings available after this amount of time and I hope/think we'll get them. 14 to 22 years is a long time in digital mastering technology.

The original Selflessness LP had one side with late material (was it just the title tune?) and one side with My Favorite Things and I Want to Talk About You from Newport 1963. Selflessness the track was on Major Works and the Newport material of course is on Newport 1963. It's sort of odd to revert to the original LP configuration, which was an odd mix to start with.

Personally, I'll be happy if I never hear Om or Cosmic Music again.

[felser]

Personally, I'll be happy if I never hear Om or Cosmic Music again.

I second that emotion. Om sounds like a nightmare.

[David Ayers]

I like Om. Though whether I need to hear it again is another matter...

Edited to add: I see Om, Cosmic Music, and one or two other titles are part of the recent UCCU batch of SHM-CDs, along with Vista, Ju-Ju and a few others which get the occasional mention here.

Edited August 24, 2011 by David Ayers

[colinmce]

Any idea what Vol. 5 will look like? Onto the likes of Sun Ship, Transition, Interstellar Space and First Meditations?

[Chuck Nessa]

My guess is Transition, Seattle, Sun Ship and Infinity.

[Pete C]

Any idea what Vol. 5 will look like? Onto the likes of Sun Ship, Transition, Interstellar Space and First Meditations?

I don't know, but that's a pretty amazing quartet of posthumous releases, eh?