Both critics and fans were not universally enamored with the new tones coming out his horn.
Ballads, this album, and his pairing with the silky smooth Johnny Hartman, were decidedly more palatable to the critic. All of these albums sold well, and reaffirmed Coltrane's roots in the tradition.
I also happen to think all of those records are quite underrated.
Duke Ellington & John Coltrane begins with the simplest of piano accompaniment from Duke: "In a Sentimental Mood" bleeds romance, the up front in the mix piano sets this almost ominous mood to me. Coltrane enters and just sings the plaintive lyrics with his tenor in a way only Trane could. Understated, and tasteful.
Only Dexter Gordon affects me the same way Coltrane does, as far as a sax tones go. The sound just goes straight to that place where God lives within you. The entire album is really as basic as you can get, Duke's old fashioned sort of stride piano sound, I love how Duke sounds like that on the album, you know it's Duke, and you know it's Coltrane.
You sense a vibe that both men respect each other and are really enjoying each others company. That is what makes the album work in my opinion.
All the tracks on the album are either Ellington or are Billy Strayhorn Compositions. "Take the Coltrane" and "My Little Brown Book" are other highlights.
This particular vinyl copy is a mid 70's ABC Impulse reissue with the sick-green labels, the album actually sounds pretty good not to be an earlier pressing. I paid maybe 10 bucks for this copy, an original pressing will probably run you close to a hundred dollars.
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