John Coltrane - The Believer

The Believer is a jazz album by John Coltrane released in 1964 on Prestige Records, catalogue 7292. It was recorded by Rudy Van Gelder in Hackensack, New Jersey in 1957 and 1958.^[1]

A review for AllMusic states: "this early solo outing finds Coltrane confident but just beginning to explore the kind of modalities with which he would soon revolutionize the world of jazz... Things to come are hinted at briefly in flurries of notes here and there, and it's fascinating to listen to the early work of this developing genius."^[2]

The authors of The Penguin Guide to Jazz called the album "a fascinating compilation for early sight and sound of young talent", and observed that "McCoy Tyner is the composer of the title-piece, two years before he joined Coltrane's group."^[3]

 

The Believer Review by Rovi Staff

The Believer offers an early glimpse at the talents of a still-developing John Coltrane. Recorded in the late '50s while he was still a member of the Miles Davis Sextet, this early solo outing finds Coltrane confident but just beginning to explore the kind of modalities with which he would soon revolutionize the world of jazz. One of the reasons Coltrane is so at ease here is the familiar setting: he's joined by fellow Davis cohorts Paul Chambers and Red Garland, among others. Drummer Louis Hayes provides a Latin-inflected beat on "Nakatini Serenade," as Coltrane and Donald Byrd soar above the rhythm section. The understated Rogers & Hammerstein standard "Do I Love You Because You're Beautiful" presents Coltrane the balladeer waxing lyrical over the subtle dynamics. Things to come are hinted at briefly in flurries of notes here and there, and it's fascinating to listen to the early work of this developing genius.  

 All Music

John Coltrane       The Believer  

1. "The Believer" (McCoy Tyner) – 13:51
2. "Nakatini Serenade" (Calvin Massey) – 11:05
3. "Do I Love You Because You're Beautiful?" (Richard Rodgers, Oscar Hammerstein II) – 5:14

Bonus tracks

1. "Filidé" (Ray Draper) – 7:18
2. "Paul's Pal" (Sonny Rollins) – 7:13

Tracks 1-3

• John Coltrane – tenor saxophone
• Red Garland – piano
• Paul Chambers – bass
• Donald Byrd – trumpet (#1-2)
• Freddie Hubbard – trumpet (#3)
• Louis Hayes – drums (#1-2)
• Art Taylor – drums (#3)

Tracks 4-5

• John Coltrane – tenor sax
• Gil Coggins – piano
• Ray Draper – tuba
• Spanky DeBrest – bass
• Larry Ritchie – drums