John Coltrane (soprano sax), McCoy Tyner (piano), Steve Davis (bass) and Elvin Jones (drums). From the album Coltrane Plays the Blues (1962).
Mr. Syms is like Mr. Pérez, Mr. Martínez or Mr. González, that person that you know that exists, but that you never have meet. You walk across the street together with he or she, you sit next to he or she in the restaurant, you line up behind he or she in the supermarket, you wait next to he or she to wair for the traffic light to turn green. But you do not know who he or she is, what his hobbies are, his problems or his tastes, or what he thinks about politics or sport. In the big city, we're all Mr. Syms.
The theme begins at a slow time acquiring a direction towards an implicit blues. It is repeated to give greater emphasis to the message. Coltrane begins his solo in a leisurely manner as one who gives a speech before an audience that listens attentively. The theme returns with emphasis on its predicament. Now Tyner overflows the piano with swing commenting on each phrase. Accelerate the pace and then return to normal speed. He is having a great time. Coltrane returns, continuing his teaching where he left it. The re-exposition of the theme reminds us that we should not forget what we have learned.
© Atlantic Records