Lost John Coltrane recording, from experimental phase with Eric Dolphy, emerges

Coltrane played with amazing theories of chromatic chord structure[0] which he diagrammed, Like the Bauhaus design theorists did for their colour logic models

[0] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Coltrane_changes and https://www.openculture.com/2017/04/the-tone-circle-john-col...

For people who haven't heard Coltrane, I would highly recommend "Ballads" and "John Coltrane and Johnny Hartman" as a very very lovely and gentle intro. I have successfully got people who don't even like jazz into Coltrane with those. "Ballads" was done sort of as a riposte to critics who said that he was basically a stunt sax player who could only play fast and crazy and it comprises some of the most beautiful playing of ballads from the standard repertoire you'll ever hear. And the album with Johnny Hartman shows how to play with a singer. The versions of "My One and Only Love" and "Lush Life" on that recording will always be definitive but it's all fantastic. You could also add "Duke Ellington and John Coltrane" to the same category. It's amazing to hear them together but it's more of a thing for people who already like jazz. The version of "In a sentimental mood" from that recording is an all-time great.

Then for the golden period obviously "A Love Supreme" is the one everyone talks about and rightly so because it is a masterpiece, but I would recommend "Crescent". Just an incredible recording which has everything. When I got it I was a student and people in my place of residence thought I had lost my marbles because I literally played the entire recording from start to finish 8 times in a row. It remains my favourite album of all time.

Then I would recommend the album called "Coltrane" and "Coltrane plays the blues" both great, but honestly anything from that period is wonderful.

From there the world is your oyster - I some of the more bonkers stuff (eg the stuff with Dolphy) but if you like crazy, high energy improvisation, the one that jazzers often talk about and shake their heads with awe is "Amen" from "Sun Ship", seriously nuts.

Postscript to add: I joined a big band when their bassist was fired and had just one rehearsal before a gig at a festival. All the music was really difficult and I was sightreading. Our slot was late so I went to the main gig which was an absolutely mindblowing solo piano gig by McCoy Tyner (Famous for being the pianist on most of the recordings I mentioned above with Coltrane). I figured noone would be at our gig after McCoy but not only was the entire place completely packed out but McCoy was sitting at the very front at a table about 3 or 4 meters from me. He spoke to us in the break and was really nice and encouraging.

[0] - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lrrdbS2spkQ

https://www.amazon.com/Jazz-Physics-Between-Structure-Univer...

I honestly have a mixed feeling about the book. On the one hand, it is cool to see the author tie together a bunch of interesting ideas about physics and math with the music of John Coltrane and other jazz artists. On the other hand, it feels like he is hand waving a lot and often spouting technical terms. But, perhaps that is just like Jazz! It was a fun read most of the time.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=62tIvfP9A2w

Love it all.

That said i have never understood what was so great about coltrane. "My favorite things" is Nice, sure, but i never found it so special. Maybe i just like more dissonant / disturbed stuff. Its interesting to see the comments since everyone seem to have its own story with the song. Will def listen to all the other songs mentionned here

Their live version of My Favorite Things on the black double album (which I was unable to find on Discogs just now) is the first I ever heard and still my favorite. The solo opening notes, and emotional intensity of it still sends chills up my spine.

And at the end, the announcer intones slowly, "John Coltrane. McCoy Tyner. Jimmy Garrison... Roy Haynes!"

McCoy Tyne in My Favorite Things, for example.