Chi Coltrane - Chi Coltrane '1972; 2018

Tracks list

Its clear from the opening moments of Chi Coltranes self-titled debut that shes
a singer/songwriter a few musical cuts above the rest. Primarily, this is down
to her piano playing. Where even the most respected artists of the genre could
only play basic block chords or arpeggios (Laura Nyro and Joni Mitchell,
respectively), Coltrane is a players player, and the equal of any session
musician. The 11 songs on Chi Coltrane give her ample opportunity to show off.
Thunder and Lightning (an absolute white soul gem) was her first single and a
Top 20 hit, but it tells only a fraction of the story. The rest of the album
displays a complete mastery and understanding of gospel (Go Like Elijah), as
well music of both the Classical and Romantic periods (The Wheel of Life), and
in addition, she comes up with a few hybrids of her own (You Were My Friend).
Her vocals, alternatively tender, spirited, angry, and with a wonderful
on-the-verge-of-tears quality, are at odds with the dreamy inertia of most
mid-70s performers. They invest every cut with a compelling sense of drama and
anxiety. Coltrane may not be a top-drawer wordsmith (although shes certainly
quite good), but her lyrics are clear-headed, unpretentious, and direct. For
subject matter, she draws mainly on love, friendship, religion (tentatively),
and philosophy. Although much press attention focussed on her glacial, blonde
good looks (think a less scary, pre-heroin Nico), this album was a triumph of
style and substance in equal measure. ~ Charles Donovan

Tracklist:
01. Chi Coltrane - Thunder And Lightning (3:02)
02. Chi Coltrane - Goodbye John (4:10)
03. Chi Coltrane - You Were My Friend (3:46)
04. Chi Coltrane - Turn Me Around (4:10)
05. Chi Coltrane - Go Like Elijah (4:00)
06. Chi Coltrane - The Tree (4:04)
07. Chi Coltrane - Feelin Good (3:56)
08. Chi Coltrane - Its Really Come To This (3:20)
09. Chi Coltrane - I Will Not Dance (3:54)
10. Chi Coltrane - Time To Come In (3:26)
11. Chi Coltrane - The Wheel Of Life (5:02)

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