John Coltrane: Black Pearls
By James on Nov 14, 2008 in Jazz
This set of tracks recorded in the late 50’s may not be some of Coltrane’s most renown work but it shows the early stuff of a genius whose later works would really set him apart from the pack when it came to Jazz, Bebop, and Hard Bop. The first album that I purchased of Coltrane’s was Blue Train. That was my short indoctrination into a genre and a style of music that has greatly effected the music of many musicians today. I am not some expert on Jazz but I do know what I like and this album is one that I have enjoyed listening to. Fans of Coltrane may listen to Black Pearls and not find a lot of the improvisation that he is known for but there is still some there. The music takes on a more mellow tone than some of the later stuff but it is real easy to relax and enjoy.
Sweet Sapphire Blues is an 18 minute jam session that starts nice and upbeat with Red Garland on piano. Coltrane doesn’t really kick in until around 6 minutes into the song. Somewhere around the 10 minute mark Donald Byrd comes in on the trumpet. Somewhere around 14 minutes Paul Chambers works on the base for a little adding his solo to the mix and then Art Taylor has his turn with the drums around 15:20. The song maintains the same tempo throughout and finishes about the same as it begins with just a little twist.
Lover Come Back To Me starts off at a fast tempo and features a lot more improvisation from Coltrane and the others. This one is a lot shorter that Sweet Sapphire Blues but packs a great song into the shorter span.
Black Pearls starts with the horns together with a medium paced tempo making a great harmony. The rest of the song is similar to Sweet Sapphire Blues in the way the artists take turns with the solos.
Recorded at the Van Gelder Studio in Hackensack, New Jersey on 23 May 1958 featuring John Coltrane (tenor saxophone); Donald Byrd (trumpet); Red Garland (piano); Paul Chambers (bass); Art Taylor (drums)
If you are a Jazz lover, Coltrane fan, or just want something different pick up this album, sit down, and enjoy. There is no better way to relax than to sit down with some great traditional styled Jazz. You can buy this album from Amazon or if you want you can pick it up from eMusic (this can be three of your 50 free songs). Just click on the ads in my sidebar.
Thanks,
James Terrell
Popularity: 87% [?]


44 Comment(s)
By Morten on Nov 23, 2008 | Reply
Traditional jazz is my style of music and like you, I enjoy Coltrane’s Black Pearls. Mellow music is simply perfect when you are trying to relax or unwind.
By Inchirieri Masini Timisoara on Dec 9, 2008 | Reply
Damn! John Coltrane is my favourite artist! I love the song “My favourite things”.
By James on Dec 11, 2008 | Reply
My Favorite Things is a great song as well as album. My personal favorite though is Blue Train
By James on Dec 15, 2008 | Reply
Nice work man..keep it up.
By Melaleuca Frank VanderSloot on Feb 5, 2009 | Reply
I love the song “My favourite things”.
By lorraine anderson on Feb 26, 2009 | Reply
When it comes to Jazz music, John Coltrane is #1.
By Madalina Baneasa on Apr 22, 2009 | Reply
“My favourite things”- I love this song
By MusicReviews on Apr 26, 2009 | Reply
Very good review! I love Jazz music…
By 70-620 on May 17, 2009 | Reply
I like his music, Really i love his song and this one is my favorite.
By Johnny kalkulator oc on Jun 29, 2009 | Reply
Coltrane is one of my favourites. I’ve started my adventure with jazz listenning to Coltrane, among others. I love Blue Train, but I laso do like Black pearls.
By Car buying on Aug 18, 2009 | Reply
Excellent work !! I appreciated your work..
By Lara on Sep 7, 2009 | Reply
I listen to different kinds of music. In my life, every kind of music has its place. Jazz is right for relaxing with friends.
By fx15 on Oct 7, 2009 | Reply
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By latest mobile phone on Oct 28, 2009 | Reply
I only say one thing!!!! ROCK ON~!
By tiensstore on Dec 1, 2009 | Reply
I love music and always listen to zouk, slow sounds but Jazz is more relaxing than any.
By Gianni on Dec 7, 2009 | Reply
interesting post, good work. I shall read some more…
By bathroom bath on Jan 7, 2010 | Reply
Gives some enjoy to listen black pearl as its not there something for what he is known for.
By Richard Green on Feb 7, 2010 | Reply
interesting post, good work. I shall read some more…
I love music
By PC TV on Mar 10, 2010 | Reply
I love music a lot.This is an interesting post, with good work.Thanks for sharing this with us.Keep it up.Keep blogging.Looking for your next post.
By Raju on Mar 27, 2010 | Reply
Jazz is one of the famous part of music. Coltrane highlighted jazz very well. He is a role model to present jazz singers.
By Zodiac Pool Cleaners on Apr 6, 2010 | Reply
I luv the music very much. This one is my favorite. I appreciated your work..
By cctv systems on Apr 6, 2010 | Reply
Yeah….This sounds really interesting. Very insightful. A nice different perspective. I have bookmarked your site to check out the new stuff you post. Thanks a lot for sharing. Keep posting.
By Recording Studio on May 15, 2010 | Reply
I am very fond of music and like to listen different type of music.
The most i like is sometimes romantic and sometimes rocking.
Hip pop and jazz also sounds very good.
I appreciate your work…
Thanks for the post…
By watts on Jul 29, 2010 | Reply
How many songs did John Coltrane write? Also does anyone know what some of the most popular are? And where I can find information on specific songs like Lazy Bird?
By kay on Aug 13, 2010 | Reply
Jazz, how i love it. I used it in my dances and it works great.
By evden eve on Aug 18, 2010 | Reply
Nice work man..keep it up.
By Gerry on Aug 27, 2010 | Reply
Nice tip. When I hear the songs in the morning, my day get great.
By Dating Reviews on Sep 27, 2010 | Reply
miss the days of john c!
By Sterre on Nov 26, 2010 | Reply
I love Coltrane, especially the song ‘My favourite things’ really is my favourite thing
By paul on Jan 21, 2011 | Reply
nice post,watch more videos….
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By Music Citizens on Mar 7, 2011 | Reply
jazz has incorporated music from 19th and 20th century American popular music.Its West African pedigree is evident in its use of blue notes, improvisation, polyrhythms, syncopation, and the swung note. nice job..
By Orpha Kyseth on Mar 17, 2011 | Reply
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By Ефремов on Mar 28, 2011 | Reply
Быстро, просто и эффективно. Как всегда лучше всяких ожиданий. Спасибо.
By domain name reseller on Apr 6, 2011 | Reply
Hi, Thanks for sharing this post. John Coltrane is one of my favorite artist. I love to listen his songs. I also like “Black Pearls”.
By samuel franklin on Apr 20, 2011 | Reply
i love this song. i’m finding myself playing this on repeat on my ipod.
By CJ on Jun 20, 2011 | Reply
Classic, just classic, is all i can say. My hat’s off.
By Colder that train on Jul 18, 2011 | Reply
I’ve been loving that song for all my life.
By Hayley Dudak on Sep 6, 2011 | Reply
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By Conrad on Sep 12, 2011 | Reply
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By Steven on Oct 24, 2011 | Reply
i say soul train, i say coltrane.
so freakin awesome.
By Adeline on Jan 31, 2012 | Reply
Stumbleupon brought me to your page and it’s nice to see one of the songs my mom’s inlove with.
By Steve Magday on Jan 31, 2012 | Reply
It was a great song but memories are not that good. It was a lovely time to see this song again, thanks!
By Tucson Pediatric Dentist on Feb 1, 2012 | Reply
Good to see this song again, reminds me of someone. He introduce me this song, I know it’s a bit old school but someone close to me happened to like this.