Style:

Swing, usually played at an up tempo.

Form:

A-A-B-A (44 Bars) [12-12-8-12]​

12 Bar Major blues with a bridge. 

Arrangements:

An 8 bar break is sometimes used before each soloist begins their solo. This arrangement can be heard on John Coltrane's original recording from Blue Train.

Key:

Bb Major

Harmony/Overview:

The head is a riff based blues melody, with the final 4 bars of the A sections left open to the soloist. The B section is essentially the same as that of a rhythm changes, it begins on bVII7 and continues to descend in semi-tones before finally  arriving at V7 (tri-tone substitution).

Recordings:

John Coltrane first introduced the tune on his album Blue Train and this would be the only time he ever recorded it. Only a handful of other musicians have recorded it since, however it continues to be a  popular jam session tune.

JGC Top Picks:

John Coltrane, Blue Train, 1957

Gordon/Perry/Schnitter, Jam Session Vol. 24, 2007

Davie Liebman & Joe Lovano, Compassion: The Music of John Coltrane, 2007