AMG Review of Live at Birdland [Australia CD]

Scott Yanow
All Music Guide

Arguably John Coltrane's finest all-around album, this recording has brilliant versions of "Afro Blue" and "I Want to Talk About You"; the second half of the latter features Coltrane on unaccompanied tenor tearing into the piece but never losing sight of the fact that it is a beautiful ballad. The remainder of this album ("Alabama," "The Promise," and "Your Lady") is almost at the same high level. [Charly UK reissued an Australian version of the CD in 2005.]