Style:

Swing, typically played at medium-up tempos.

Form:

12 Bar Major Blues

Arrangements:

The head is generally played twice on the way in and out. The original recording also features a repeated 2 bar phrase that is used as a shout-chorus towards the end of each solo. It is also common to switch to a double-time feel mid-way through each solo as heard on Blue Train.

Key:

Eb Major

Harmony/Overview:

A  straight-ahead Major blues with a II - V turnaround, the tune has an  almost quasi-minor sound with its main theme centered around 7#9 chords.  On the original recording during the second pass through the melody the  line is harmonized with 4ths below, and this arrangement is sometimes  included in performances.

Recordings:

The first recording comes from the album Blue Train in  1957, and it has gone on to become a standard along with all of the  other originals from the album. The 1997 CD re-issue includes an  alternate of "Blue Train" from the original session that is taken at a  considerably brighter tempo.

JGC Top Picks:

John Coltrane, Blue Train, 1957

Cedar Walton, First Set, 1977

Archie Shepp, True Blue, 1998