112: John Coltrane - Giant Steps (1960)

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"I think music is an instrument. It can create the initial thought patterns that can change the thinking of the people."

—John Coltrane

Jazz saxophonist John Coltrane has one of the most varied and rewarding discographies in any genre of music. Because of that variety, though, it can be hard to find an entry point into his music. Ben makes the case that your entry point should be Trane's 1960 classic Giant Steps. Giant Steps features Coltrane's trademark musical innovations and rich, emotional playing - but packaged in a series of energetic songs with catchy themes and accessible, poppy structures. And in sharing a detailed, multi-part history of Coltrane's artistic development, Ben argues that Giant Steps should only be the first stop on your long Trane journey. He's joined by John, Phil, and Mike, who share their own stories of discovering jazz and falling in love with John Coltrane's music. 

Miscellany

• The format of this episode is a little different. Before each of the seven songs, Ben does a deep dive into a segment of John Coltrane's career and artistic development. He then segues into discussing a song from Giant Steps. 

• The segment preceding track 5 addresses Coltrane's time with Atlantic Records, which is when he recorded Giant Steps. Therefore, tracks 1-4 cover Coltrane's career before Giant Steps; and tracks 6-7 cover his career following Giant Steps. 

• The clips in this episode are the tip of the iceberg where Trane is concerned. If you enjoy a particular clip, there are usually a few dozen other songs that will have a similar effect on you. 

• Ben doesn't really believe kids should get trophies just for showing up to a competition. He believes kids should get trophies just for considering showing up to a competition. Further, winning of any kind should be discouraged. 

Other links 

• The official John Coltrane website (johncoltrane.com)

• Playlist of "Giant Steps" YouTube memes (YouTube)

• John Coltrane's 'Mathematics of Music' Drawing

• John's blog post on getting into jazz

• A 2007 point/counterpoint on jazz appreciation between Ben and Wilson (from Wilson & Alroy's Record Reviews)

• Discord & Rhyme’s Giant Steps playlist (Spotify)

• Discord & Rhyme’s Patreon

Discord & Rhyme Roll Call 

• Ben Marlin (host)

• Phil Maddox (moderator)

• Mike DeFabio

• John McFerrin

• Amanda Rodgers (unreliable DJ) 

Giant Steps tracklist 

1. Giant Steps

2. Cousin Mary

3. Countdown

4. Spiral

5. Syeeda’s Song Flute

6. Naima

7. Mr. P.C. 

Other clips used 

John Coltrane:

• Om

• Acknowledgement

• Blue Train

• Mr. Knight

• Olé

• Pursuance

• Chim Chim Cheree

• Resolution

• Naima (Live at the Village Vanguard)

• Ascension (Edition I)

• Transition

• Out of This World

• Africa

• My Favorite Things 

Others:

• Charlie Parker - Warmin' Up a Riff

• Earl Bostic - The Hour of Parting

• Ilja Reijngoud - Giant Steps the BeeGees

• Funky Swunk - Baby Steps

• Allan Felipe - Coffin Dance Meme But It's Giant Steps

• Ed Gunther - All Star But It's Giant Steps

• Funky Swunk - Nyant Steps

• Lil Trane - Gucci Steps

• Camille Bertault - Là Où Tu Vas

• Red Garland - Woody'n You

• Miles Davis - Half Nelson

• Miles Davis - So What

• Europe - The Final Countdown

• Miles Davis - Tune Up

• Van Halen - Eruption

• Mahavishnu Orchestra - Awakening

• Paul Simon - Have a Good Time

• Thelonious Monk with John Coltrane - Nutty (Live at Carnegie Hall)

• Thelonious Monk with John Coltrane - Trinkle, Tinkle

• Bill Evans - Solar

• Metallica - Damage Inc.

• Miles Davis - Dr. Jekyll

• Ornette Coleman - Chronology

Band/album personnel 

• John Coltrane – tenor saxophone

• Tommy Flanagan – piano (all but 6)

• Wynton Kelly – piano (6)

• Paul Chambers – bass

• Art Taylor – drums (all but 6)

• Jimmy Cobb – drums (6)

• Nesuhi Ertegün – producer

• Tom Dowd – engineer

• Phil Iehle – engineer 

Credits 

“Discord & Rhyme (theme),” composed by the Other Leading Brand, contains elements of: 

• Duran Duran - Hungry Like the Wolf

• Amon Düül II - Dehypnotized Toothpaste

• The Dukes of Stratosphear - What in the World?? ...

• Faith No More - Midlife Crisis

• Herbie Hancock - Hornets

• Kraftwerk - Autobahn

• Talking Heads - Seen and Not Seen

• John Coltrane - Cousin Mary (this episode only) 

You can buy or stream Giant Steps and other albums by John Coltrane at johncoltrane.com, your local record store, or the usual suspects such as Spotify, Apple Music, YouTube, and Amazon. Follow Discord & Rhyme on Twitter @DiscordPod for news, updates, and other random stuff. Editing is by Rich Bunnell, and special thanks to our own Mike DeFabio, the Other Leading Brand, for production and original music. See you next album, and keep as cool as you can.