John Coltrane - Live at Temple University 1966-official release!

[B. Clugston]

I thought the same last night, indeed!

But what with Wild's entry?

Guess if Garrison would have been there, the solo spot would have been his - or it would have turned into a bass duet?

On his website where he keeps updates, Wild has Johnson on it and Garrison listed as possible, but the listing hasn't been updated since the album release. The radio hosts only mention one bassist ("Sonny Jackson") and say Garrison wasn't there.

[Chuck Nessa]

I heard the quartet + Shepp at the Down Beat Festival, the quartet at the Plugged Nickel twice and the new sextet (Alice, Pharoah, Jimmy, Rashid and (probably) DeJohnette, again at the Nickle. The only time I could hear the bass was for solo spots.

[king ubu]

Serious question: could you (or others who describe the live event) "feel" the bass? Or did Elvin's and Rashied's (and Jack's) bass drums took care of that, too?

[medjuck]

I couldn't feel the bass. I could see it but not hear it.

[Chuck Nessa]

yup. He had a relatively light touch.

[king ubu]

Interesting ... and not quite how it feels on record - but then a record rarely delivers the same picture (wanted to say "true" picture, but I guess that depends).

[medjuck]

Well it might have been different for someone sitting across the bandstand from me.

[StarThrower]

I read about this album in Downbeat. An amateur recording featuring a bunch of so so percussionists, and an uninvited quest musician who took it upon himself to sit in. I believe I'll pass on this.

[erwbol]

I read about this album in Downbeat. An amateur recording featuring a bunch of so so percussionists, and an uninvited quest musician who took it upon himself to sit in. I believe I'll pass on this.

This is why I don't bother with jazz magazines anymore. A bunch of so so unhelpful reviews that put you on the wrong track, a couple of meh interviews, and all this for the price of at least one CD (if imported from Britain or the US).

Edited August 29, 2014 by erwbol

[medjuck]

Here's a review:

http://thebluemoment.com/2014/08/24/coltrane-in-the-temple/

[romualdo]

I thought the same last night, indeed!

But what with Wild's entry?

Guess if Garrison would have been there, the solo spot would have been his - or it would have turned into a bass duet?

Here's a few questions answered - I've been communicating with Wolf Schmaler (one of the contributors to the Coltrane Reference) over the past year or so regarding all things Coltrane

Have you heard the newly released Temple University 2CD set - Interestingly its been released by Resonance Records - I was expecting Hip-O-Select

IMHO, sound quality is excellent

It’s actually a Verve release, I think, Resonance is a separate company licened by Verve. Don’t know why they organized the release like this.

As far as I know all announcements (and the highly interesting discussion after the concert) have been edited out because of Verve and WRTI-FM contracts.

Ashley Kahn's notes throw up some interesting points

1. He claims that Garrison was not present (only one bassist) - though there are 2 photos in the booklet of a concert performance (details not given) & both bassists are present

Maybe these are from a different location?

After long discussions of the question “one or two bassists” in the group the result is: “one bassist only, Sonny Johnson”. Kenyatta – in an interview with Fuji – remembered “Sonny Johnson for sure, Jimmy Garrison possibly”, but aural evidence (Chris DeVito, a former bassist himself) and other sources clearly say there is no reason to assume Garrison was present.

The photos: I can’t see two bassists on the second photo. Both photos (middle pages and the second) most probably are from a performance Village Vanguard, December 26, 1966.

2. Confirms Rashied Ali's presence

Yes, that seems to be confirmed.

[king ubu]

Thanks! As I said, I found no info on the source of the photos, so they are indeed misleading!

Johnson, in the line-up given, is indeed the only bassist listed. And that does confirm aural evidence.

And yes, I found sound excellent as well - much better than I dared to expect for sure! No reason no to get this because of bad sound, I'd say (but I'm pretty tolerant in that respect, after all).

As for the "turbulence" ... there's much less of that than I expected. Really, Coltrane is magisterial and he seems firmly rooted and at peace with himself here. Sure, there's Sanders going bonkers as usual, but overall, I found the entire thing pretty ... solemn? Beautiful for sure, strong and beautiful. A stunning release!

[clifford_thornton]

I had a CDr of this from some Coltrane list that was rough-sounding but musically very strong; don't know what happened to that CDr but I would like to hear the music again (and file the CD).

even if it's lo-fi ("amateur" - whatever that means), more Coltrane is nearly always a special event.

[erwbol]

Coltrane's horn is well recorded and takes center stage as it should. Calling it 'amateur' might give people the wrong impression after the Olatunji release. It's more pleasant than some of the stuff from the European Tours Pablo box imo.

[clifford_thornton]

yeah, "amateur" was used upthread and I thought that was unfair.

[sidewinder]

Has anyone picked up the Resonance 2LP vinyl yet and got any opinions on it?

[Homefromtheforest]

To be honest I'm not a huge fan of late-Coltrane live releases...I used to have both the Seattle and Japan live albums but got rid of them because I found myself never playing them.

I absolutely adore records like "meditations" and "interstellar space" but for some reason couldn't really dig "live in Seattle" etc.

Would be curious to hear samples from this new set to see if maybe my ears are different now haha..

[clifford_thornton]

hah, if only "never playing" was a criterion for not keeping something...

[Homefromtheforest]

Haha yeah I hear what your saying but in this case "never playing" meant I didn't even get through the entire album even once!

[felser]

Found the following at the end of the Amazon.com listing, which may explain why the release is on Resonance rather than Hip-O or Verver:

Resonance Records, which is a 501 ©(3) non-profit foundation, will contribute a portion from every sale to the John Coltrane House, an organization devoted to the preservation of Coltrane's former home in Dix Hills, New York.

[B. Clugston]

To be honest I'm not a huge fan of late-Coltrane live releases...I used to have both the Seattle and Japan live albums but got rid of them because I found myself never playing them.

I absolutely adore records like "meditations" and "interstellar space" but for some reason couldn't really dig "live in Seattle" etc.

Would be curious to hear samples from this new set to see if maybe my ears are different now haha..

I agree that those later Coltrane live albums can be wearying, but from what I've heard from the Temple University concert, it's really enjoyable. I think it's the best live example of the Alice/Pharoah/Ali era.

[Homefromtheforest]

"Wearying" was the word I was looking for; thanks.

I'll be sure to investigate this new set and give it a chance!

[sambrasa]

I remember reading somewhere this was the concert where Michael Brecker finally got to see Coltrane, being famously turned away from some club gig earlier.

[David Ayers]

I thought the Downbeat article was a good discussion and was plainly positive on the topic of Coltrane's new interest in community playing.

[peterintoronto]

Finally got around to disc 2 this afternoon. Best enjoyed on headphones at high volume in solitude!

Absolutely incredible music. I am a better person for having heard this recording.