This alternate take of "Body And Soul" from the Coltrane's Sound sessions, recorded on October 24, 1960, offers a revealing glimpse into the working process of the John Coltrane Quartet. Like the master take also included on the album, this version features McCoy Tyner soloing first with a full chorus of piano improvisation before Coltrane enters for a brief quarter-chorus tenor saxophone statement. The slightly slower tempo of 69 beats per minute compared to the issued take gives both soloists marginally more breathing room, and the subtle differences in their improvisational choices illustrate how each performance represented a unique creative event for these musicians. Tyner's extended introduction and solo explore slightly different harmonic avenues than the master, while Coltrane's closing statement, though concise, contains characteristically dense motivic development. Steve Davis and Elvin Jones again provide sensitive rhythmic support befitting the ballad context. The inclusion of this alternate take on expanded editions of Coltrane's Sound enriches the listener's understanding of how the quartet approached the Johnny Green standard, demonstrating that even within the same session, these musicians found fresh perspectives on material they knew intimately.
