No, not America's next top model. Nor the trade association of North American manufacturers of fibre glass, rock wool and slag wool insulation products for that matter. No I'm talking about the amazing Coltrane ballad composed in 1959 for his then wife Juanita Naima Grubb. There are countless versions of this tune and I'll present a few different takes here. 4 Hero make the most out of that instantly recognisable refrain, add some of their signature strings and, for them, relatively muted beats. Carlos Santana and John McLoughlin interpret it in the style of a sleepy gondolier. McCoy Tyner's is the longest version here and, with just piano, bass and drums, it makes a great lullabye. LLS adds typically splendid spacey percussion and keyboard trills and vocals from his brother Donald (I just love his voice and wish he'd recorded more - watch out for future posts). And finally the first (and I consider the best) Coltrane recording.
4Hero - Naima - The Remix Album - 2004
Carlos Santana & Mahavishnu John McLoughlin - Naima - Love, Devotion, Surrender - 1973
McCoy Tyner - Naima - McCoy Tyner Plays John Coltrane Live at the Village Vanguard - 1997
Lonnie Liston Smith & The Cosmic Echoes - Naima - Cosmic Funk - 1974
John Coltrane - Naima - Giant Steps - 1960
Ahhh, Coltrane!
ReplyDeleteSorry it took so long to get back. Time has been pretty shitty as of late. I launched a new blog this week where I WILL post that Sergio Mendes 12 inch. I'll shoot for today or tomorrow, I promise...
You can now check out http://fufusnax.wordpress.com and get that remix I promised... I hope that you and Nelson enjoy it.
ReplyDeleteI am feeling your blog. We have a lot of the same tastes. Got a couple really nice obscure versions of "Naima" if you like. Keep up the good work!
ReplyDeletemikail
http://subtleperfection.blogspot.com
if there is one musician whose music should not be tampered with
ReplyDeleteit is john coltrane.i welcome artists who wish to cover his compositions, this is in itself a complement to coltrane,but there is
no way you can enhance the original
recording of 'naima'by remixing it
with a dancebeat and a sampled vocal!!! would you take a rembrandt
or a van gough and start colouring
it in with a felt tip pen and then call it art! seriously vexed!