The House that Trane Built - The Story of Impulse records (Fixed 03-09-2009)

This 4-CD set marks the 45th anniversary of Impulse Records. John Coltrane was the first major artist to sign with ABC-Paramount's fledgling subsidiary in 1961 and it was an inspired choice, his rising prominence and adventurous spirit immediately identifying Impulse with a dynamic shift in jazz. With its gatefold album covers and black and orange graphics, Impulse also added some visual panache to the revolution. While Coltrane–represented here by tracks such as "Greensleeves," "Impressions" and a segment from his signature A Love Supreme–was clearly the label's inspiration, Bob Thiele was one of the great jazz record producers, bent on documenting the best veteran musicians as well as the avant-garde. You hear it in superb tracks here from Earl Hines, Count Basie and Coleman Hawkins, as well as stellar performances by major figures of modern jazz like Art Blakey, Sonny Rollins and Charles Mingus. There are also plenty of appearances by Coltrane’s associates, like McCoy Tyner and Alice Coltrane, as well as the revolutionaries that Coltrane and Thiele nurtured, among them Archie Shepp, Albert Ayler and Pharoah Sanders. It all contributes to a survey of what was most vital in jazz in the 1960s and early '70s that no other single label could manage

I think there is not too much I can say to Jazz lovers about the magnificient Impulse! label. Just take a look at the pieces presented here. I think the selection is well balanced: the free or experimental side always present on Impulse! is of course well represented, but also there are more lyrical and melodic compositions.

read more: review by Thom Jurek

Personnel includes: Albert Ayler; Gato Barbieri; Count Basie; Art Blakey; Benny Carter; John Coltrane; Alice Coltrane; Gil Evans; Charlie Haden; Chico Hamilton; John Handy; Coleman Hawkins; Roy Haynes; Earl Hines; Freddie Hubbard; Ahmad Jamal ; Keith Jarrett; Yusef Lateef; Charles Mingus; Oliver Nelson; Sonny Rollins; Pee Wee Russell; Pharoah Sanders; Shirley Scott; Archie Shepp; Sonny Stitt; Gabor Szabo; Clark Terry; McCoy Tyner; Ben Webster; others.

Songlist:

Disc 1
1. Honeysuckle Rose - Gil Evans
2. Trey of Hearts - Oliver Nelson
3. Samba Para Bean - John Coltrane
4. Too Young to Go Steady - Art Blakey
5. Snap Crackle - Benny Carter
6. Chocolate Shake - Count Basie
7. Impressions - John Coltrane
8. Theme For Lester Young - Charles Mingus

Disc 2
1. My One & Only Love - Johnny Hartman/John Coltrane
2. Salt & Pepper - Paul Gonsalves/Sonny Stitt
3. Forest Flower - Sunrise/Sunset - Chico Hamilton
4. T 'N' a Blues - McCoy Tyner
5. Someone to Watch Over Me - Ben Webster
6. Sister Mamie - Yusef Lateef
7. Love Supreme: Part 1 - Acknowledgement, A - John Coltrane
8. Rapid Shave - Shirley Scott
9. Los Olvidados - Archie Shepp
10. Ask Me Now! - Pee Wee Russell

Disc 3
1. Black & Tan Fantasy - Earl Hines
2. Alfie's Theme - Sonny Rollins
3. Spanish Rice - Clark Terry/Chico O'Farrill
4. Mama Too Tight - Archie Shepp
5. Gypsy Queen - Gabor Szabo
6. Larry of Arabia - Chico Hamilton
7. Our Prayer - Albert Ayler
8. Offering - John Coltrane
9. Journey in Satchidananda - Alice Coltrane
10. War Orphans - Charlie Haden

Disc 4
1. Stolen Moments - Ahmad Jamal
2. Creator Has a Master Plan, The - Pharoah Sanders
3. India - Gato Barbieri
4. Rich, The (And the Poor) - Keith Jarrett
5. Hard Work - John Handy
6. Walk With Me - Alice Coltrane


Please note that this box set was not ripped by me. Nevertheless, I have listened to the cds thoroughly and the sound is very good.