THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Friday, September 8, 1995 TAG: 9509070158
SECTION: DAILY BREAK PAGE: E8 EDITION: FINAL
TYPE: Preview Record Reviews
LENGTH: Medium: 54 lines
John Coltrane's brief stint at Atlantic (1959-61) yielded 10 albums of material that provided the company with ``new'' product for years after his departure. While some of it, such as an early session with vibist Milt Jackson, seems durable but sedate, much points toward the ever-intensifying work he would record for Impulse!
And all of it - plus nearly 70 minutes of unreleased alternate takes, false starts and studio discussion - is collected in ``The Heavyweight Champion: The Complete Atlantic Recordings'' (Rhino/Atlantic).
The handsome, seven-CD package takes in his epic LPs ``Giant Steps'' and ``My Favorite Things,'' as well as such fascinating detours as ``Coltrane Plays the Blues'' and the Don Cherry collaboration of ``The Avant-Garde.'' The sound quality of these remasterings is terrific, and, needless to say, ``Heavyweight Champion'' is a keeper that will not collect dust on your shelf.
The ``Outtakes'' disc, of course, is the set's most revelatory aspect. During two different dates for what became the title track of ``Giant Steps,'' Coltrane searches for a handle on his own incredibly difficult-to-play tune and its implications. Early attempts sound almost as leisurely as the Coltrane/Jackson sides, while the speedier later takes find Coltrane's quartet sometimes tripping over their feet before ultimately reaching perfection - which is what this box represents.
- Rickey Wright Various artists, ``Empire Records - Original Soundtrack'' (A&M).
While the Gin Blossoms finish their followup to ``New Miserable Experience,'' their label has found a home for a new single, ``Til I Hear It From You'' on this soundtrack album from a forthcoming rock film.
The midtempo ballad is a collaboration between Blossoms singer Robin Wilson and guitarist Jesse Valenzuela and veteran popmaster Marshall Crenshaw. Not only does it ring heavily of Crenshaw's trademark smart bittersweetness, it suggests that, as an outside contributor, he might be the writer to fill the gap left by Doug Hopkins, author of ``Hey Jealousy'' and ``Found Out About You.''
Unfortunately, save for Scottish journeyman Edwyn Collins' wiseacre-ish ``A Girl Like You,'' the rest of ``Empire Records'' runs a modern-rock gamut between irritating (the Cranberries' ``Liar,'' remakes of Big Star and Generation X by Evan Dando and the Meices) and bland (Better Than Ezra's ``Circle of Friends'').
- Rickey Wright ILLUSTRATION: [Color Photo] by CNB