This alternate take of "Village Blues" appears on expanded editions of Coltrane Jazz and was recorded during the October 1960 session that also produced the master take. Like the released version, it features McCoy Tyner on piano rather than Wynton Kelly, placing it among the earliest recordings of what would become the classic Coltrane quartet. The 12-bar blues in C unfolds at the same relaxed 110 BPM swing tempo, with Coltrane again taking three choruses on tenor saxophone and Tyner following, though here with a more expansive five-chorus piano solo compared to his three on the master take. Tyner's extended solo is particularly valuable, offering a fuller portrait of his evolving approach at this early stage, with his quartal harmonies and rhythmic intensity already clearly in evidence. The alternate take captures a slightly different energy than the released version, with both musicians seeming to probe the blues form from different angles. The extended length suggests the musicians were finding a deeper groove, allowing the music to develop more organically. For historians of the Coltrane quartet, this recording is essential documentation of the group's formative chemistry, revealing how quickly Tyner integrated into Coltrane's musical world.
