John Coltrane seriously did some of the greatest experimental music ever recorded. Listen to some of it or all. What do you think?
Part one of "Ascension":
Part two of "Ascension":
Part three of "Ascension":
Part four of "Ascension":
Then The Love Supreme suite:
Part I: Acknowledgment -
Part II: Resolution -
Part III: Pursuance -
Part IV: Psalm -
The group on all track is the same: John Coltrane on saxophone, McCoy Tyner on piano, Jimmy Garrison on bass, and Elvin Jones on drums. On Ascension there are many other players, but the only one I can name off the top of my head is Pharoah Sanders on saxophone also. Here is more info on that HUGE group (two bands on one recording): http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ascension_%28John_Coltrane_album%29 For more information on A Love Supreme go here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/A_Love_Supreme
Very religious musical pieces. What do you guys think? I totally love it, especially A Love Supreme. "Pursuance" is incredible, the drum solo is wonderful, beautiful, and just ferocious, among other things.
Last Edited by on Aug 07, 2010 8:50 PM
Buddha, how much of Coltrane have you heard? I assume a lot. I think most of his early stuff, and A Love Supreme have incredible saxophone tone. I personally love the sound.
I like the middle period most too, but I like the latest "monkey screaming" recordings a lot too. I'm not a fan of Coltrane's earlier hardboppish stuff. For my taste his sax sounds fatter than other saxes I hear (although I don't listen to sax players a lot, I prefer to listen to trumpet players). ----------
"Blue Train" was one of Coltrane's "blusier" albums. His music is an acquired taste-it grows on you. You must listen carefully,and it's best to start with some of his earlier recordings. He was "blowing out of the changes",and creating the "sheets of sound". No one will ever play those scales like he did-the irregularity of the phrasing-arrhtymic phrasing. "Gold Coast" is a great example-the piano is really needless on this tune-bass and drums would suffice.
Last Edited by on Aug 09, 2010 9:36 AM
Will check out Gold Coast. I absolutely love Blue Train, fantastic album, and "I'm Old Fashioned" shows some early "Giant Steps." I love the Rudy Van Gelder sound.
I don't have a lot of Coltrane,but I like what I have. I did not care for "Ascension". I couldn't make it past part 2. If that sums up his late period,I'll avoid those. Zack, Blue Notes with Van Gelder. I scarf up any of those I can find when I'm record/CD hunting.
He definitely experimented :) . I don't know much about Coltrane's different periods (or the majority of jazz for that matter but I'm learning as I buy new albums) but I do know I enjoy listening to the blue train album & a love supreme & his 'hits' album, and pretty much everything he does while playing with other jazz guys (when they're name is is on the album, like Miles).
I thought I'd like all his stuff until I checked out the live One Down, One Up album. Granted I need to listen to it again but whatever it was from this album I was listening it was like a painful banging around to me. I haven't checked out enough to be sure but I think I'm more into his mid 50s to pre-mid 60s recordings being my fave.
---------- ~Ryan
"I play the harmonica. The only way I can play is if I get my car going really fast, and stick it out the window." - Stephen Wright
Pennsylvania - H.A.R.P. (Harmonica Association 'Round Philly)
Of course! I reallly want One Up One Down for the drumming and everything else. I heard Elvin broke his pedal and you can hear them try to switch. Is there a picture with pedals lined up near him? I was told that...
Any drum solos? I have heard it is an incredible live recording music wise. I love me a good drum solo, though. Sax is awesome, too. hahaha. Maybe someday I'll try to pick one up...or a trumpet. hmmm...
I love John Coltrane I like his edgy harsh tone & especially his monkey screaming bullshit it wakes me up & makes me feel more alive I like Blues Harp for the same reason.
