@djpari_

Damn right, you’ve seen this album in my feed before. But if there’s one occasion worthy of repetition it’s today’s announcement by @bluenoterecords of the two Tone Poet special vinyl editions of “Blue Train” that will be released Sept. 16 just in time for the 65th anniversary of the making of what happens to be my favorite album on the label. The release of a single LP mono pressing will be complimented by a 2-LP stereo edition, with the second disc featuring seven alternate and incomplete takes. If this isn’t every Coltrane disciple’s wet dream, I don’t know what is. I’ve owned several versions of “Blue Train” over the years, from a 1970s UA stereo pressing and a Japanese King mono issue to a 1960s mono with NY labels. Five years ago, I scored this pristine 1958 original mono pressing on eBay and never looked back. With this album, Trane made good on a promise to Alfred Lion to cut a session for Blue Note, and Lion in return afforded the saxophonist the time, space and manpower to create something very special. This was one of Coltrane’s first sessions after kicking his heroin habit, and his newfound freedom and utmost focus are evident in both his playing and writing. Fire breathing trumpeter #LeeMorgan and sublime trombonist #CurtisFuller join Trane in the frontline, and in the rhythm section we have pianist #KennyDrew, bassist #PaulChambers and drummer #PhillyJoeJones. The music featured on this album makes “Blue Train” the ultimate hard bop record. Coltrane’s originals (“Blue Train,” “Moment’s Notice”, “Locomotion” and “Lazy Bird”) have become jazz standards, and Trane’s take on the Mercer-Kern composition “I’m Old Fashioned” is one of the most perfect renderings of this tune ever put on tape. While not as adventurous as Coltrane’s later work for Impulse, “Blue Train” is a stroke of genius, packed with brilliant performances that are very accessible. If you want to hip a friend to jazz, play them this album. They will thank you for it. #JohnColtrane #BlueTrain #BlueNote #BlueNoteRecords #RVG #Jazz #hardbop #vinyl #jazzvinyl #jazzrecords #jazzcollector #recordoftheday #vinyloftheday #recordcollection #igvinyl #igvinylclub #IGjazzvinyl