JOHN COLTRANE — One Down, One Up (Live At The Half Note) (review)

JOHN COLTRANE — One Down, One Up (Live At The Half Note) album cover Live album · 2005 · Post Bop Buy this album from MMA partners
3.5/5 ·
Sean Trane
One of the newest Trane posthumous release (in 05), handled for the big part by his son Ravi, this double-disc collection is a series of four radio broadcasts, recorded at the Half Note Club in NYC between March and May of 65. This features Trane’s first classic quartet and it is deservedly released on the outstanding Impulse! label that invested so heavily in the saxman’s career. It’s actually moving to see that Ravi used Orange as the major colour (although a tad lighter than the label’s) and shading most of the b&w photos on the cover and booklet.

Just four lengthy tracks (ranging from 12 to 27 mins) spread over two discs, with the introducing speeches and the outro recaps. It’s a bit too bad that the recording of the track that gives the name to this release is somewhat shaky, despite the restoration efforts (a few glitches between the 15th minute until the 20th), but it’s also the hardest to ingest, the more extreme of these two nights’ respective sets. As for the 12-mins Afro Blue, it’s also wilder than the studio version, but doesn’t bear dissonance, and it could be my fave, because played vout with full passion.

The second disc opens with an outstanding version of Song Of Praise, where Tyner and Elvin rock the joint upside down. Ensues an amazing 22-mins version of Trane’s flagship My Favourite Things, in a much wilder and energetic (going somewhat dissonant at moments) than any other previous live or studio versions. The presenter’s comments are a little obtrusive and I’d have preferred them edited out whenever and wherever possible. While I wouldn’t call ODOU an absolutely essential release, but if you’re a Trane unconditional, this is at least a must-hear.

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