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Title: Beautiful
Review: The album starts with one of the greatest versions of a jazz song - "In A Sentimental Mood". Coltrane's playing on it is brilliant, and Duke's piano playing sounds much better than in the 1941 version of the same song. The bass & drum alternate between Duke's & John's. At the tempos and volumes they're playing at, there isn't a significant difference between the two sets. Coltrane's playing is a slight retreat in terms of adventurousness. It may have been mouthpiece problems or maybe because he was playing with Duke Ellington. Either way, it's lack of challenge doesn't diminish the beauty of the playing. Some have said Duke sounds more modern than Coltrane, but I don't hear that. This album won't turn your personal jazz world on its ear, but it is a lot of fun to listen to. It's also fine for non-jazz fans.
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