John Coltrane (tenor sax), McCoy Tyner (piano), Steve Davis (bass) and Elvin Jones (drums). From the album Coltrane’s Sound (1964).
An equinox is when day and night have the same duration, and this occurs twice a year, in March and in September. It is a perfect balance that nature offers us. “Equinox” is a minor blues composed by Coltrane with a slow swing. The author of the title is Coltrane's wife, Naima. Coltrane played this song live before it came out on the album. The Coltrane blues are more traditional, since he did not like the more complex blues of bebop musicians.
Tyner and Jones introduce the song with a Latin rhythm. Coltrane exposes the theme with a mysterious halo making his spells. Continue with his magical potions pronouncing words from millenary languages. With each chorus, the spell increases. For a moment he remains pensive, putting all his energy into the magic he produces. Tyner observes what is happening and assists in what he can. He also brings his wisdom to the process. Finally Coltrane re-exposes the theme with the same mystery as the one that started it.
© Atlantic Records