LeeAnn Ledgerwood - Compassion (2000)

For this solo piano album, LeeAnn Ledgerwood performs eight John Coltrane compositions plus the ballad "I Want to Talk About You." To her credit, she does not just play some of 'Trane's better-known tunes but explores some of his obscurities, including those from his last period. It is not too common to hear solo piano versions of "5th House," "Venus," "Resolution," and "Compassion." Ledgerwood puts plenty of feeling into her interpretations and, without copying McCoy Tyner or Alice Coltrane, she is able to bring back the spirit of this often-forgotten music while not de-emphasizing her own musical personality. This is a well-conceived release that rewards repeated listenings. ~Scott Yanow