John Coltrane - A Love Supreme
A Love Supreme was recorded 60 years ago on a single day, December 9, 1964. It's a 4 part musical journey that is considered Coltrane's masterpiece, and one of the greatest albums (jazz or otherwise) of all time. A Love Supreme is a deeply spiritual work, one that is infused with mysticism & religious overtones. The longing / searching qualities are wonderfully balanced by the meditative / thankful ("Acknowledgement") aspects. A Love Supreme is an intoxicating blend of modal, spiritual, and avant garde jazz that still has many of the hard-bop / post-bop aspects that make it familiar enough sounding to be digestible to the more casual listener.
All four musicians really shine. Elvin Jones is typically amazing, using both restraint and abandon in the most intuitive ways. Bassist Jimmy Garrison fully locks down the meditative aspects, hooking the listener. And his bass sounds huge. McCoy Tyner holds it all together harmonically and responds perfectly to everything happening around him. And then there's Coltrane, steering the ship and making the biggest statements. This is a band at the absolute top of their game. The recording is wonderful, the playing both intense and soothing. It's remarkable to think of 4 people going into the studio and recording this LP in one session.
Much has been written about Coltrane, and this album. All the information you could ever want (and more) is out there. I'll leave you to your own thoughts on this album, especially as we listen tonight. Whether you've heard it a thousand times or if tonight is your first listen, it's a very impactful LP. It can soothe and startle you. But the overwhelming feeling I get is one of awareness. Awareness of time, things passed, and things to come. Awareness of great art, of being thankful, mindful, and being musically in the moment whether that be a difficult moment or a peaceful moment. I think we can all agree that A Love Supreme is a magical moment in time that we can all endlessly share in.
A Love Supreme was recorded 60 years ago on a single day, December 9, 1964. It's a 4 part musical journey that is considered Coltrane's masterpiece, and one of the greatest albums (jazz or otherwise) of all time. A Love Supreme is a deeply spiritual work, one that is infused with mysticism & religious overtones. The longing / searching qualities are wonderfully balanced by the meditative / thankful ("Acknowledgement") aspects. A Love Supreme is an intoxicating blend of modal, spiritual, and avant garde jazz that still has many of the hard-bop / post-bop aspects that make it familiar enough sounding to be digestible to the more casual listener.
All four musicians really shine. Elvin Jones is typically amazing, using both restraint and abandon in the most intuitive ways. Bassist Jimmy Garrison fully locks down the meditative aspects, hooking the listener. And his bass sounds huge. McCoy Tyner holds it all together harmonically and responds perfectly to everything happening around him. And then there's Coltrane, steering the ship and making the biggest statements. This is a band at the absolute top of their game. The recording is wonderful, the playing both intense and soothing. It's remarkable to think of 4 people going into the studio and recording this LP in one session.
Much has been written about Coltrane, and this album. All the information you could ever want (and more) is out there. I'll leave you to your own thoughts on this album, especially as we listen tonight. Whether you've heard it a thousand times or if tonight is your first listen, it's a very impactful LP. It can soothe and startle you. But the overwhelming feeling I get is one of awareness. Awareness of time, things passed, and things to come. Awareness of great art, of being thankful, mindful, and being musically in the moment whether that be a difficult moment or a peaceful moment. I think we can all agree that A Love Supreme is a magical moment in time that we can all endlessly share in.
A Love Supreme was recorded 60 years ago on a single day, December 9, 1964. It's a 4 part musical journey that is considered Coltrane's masterpiece, and one of the greatest albums (jazz or otherwise) of all time. A Love Supreme is a deeply spiritual work, one that is infused with mysticism & religious overtones. The longing / searching qualities are wonderfully balanced by the meditative / thankful ("Acknowledgement") aspects. A Love Supreme is an intoxicating blend of modal, spiritual, and avant garde jazz that still has many of the hard-bop / post-bop aspects that make it familiar enough sounding to be digestible to the more casual listener.
All four musicians really shine. Elvin Jones is typically amazing, using both restraint and abandon in the most intuitive ways. Bassist Jimmy Garrison fully locks down the meditative aspects, hooking the listener. And his bass sounds huge. McCoy Tyner holds it all together harmonically and responds perfectly to everything happening around him. And then there's Coltrane, steering the ship and making the biggest statements. This is a band at the absolute top of their game. The recording is wonderful, the playing both intense and soothing. It's remarkable to think of 4 people going into the studio and recording this LP in one session.
Much has been written about Coltrane, and this album. All the information you could ever want (and more) is out there. I'll leave you to your own thoughts on this album, especially as we listen tonight. Whether you've heard it a thousand times or if tonight is your first listen, it's a very impactful LP. It can soothe and startle you. But the overwhelming feeling I get is one of awareness. Awareness of time, things passed, and things to come. Awareness of great art, of being thankful, mindful, and being musically in the moment whether that be a difficult moment or a peaceful moment. I think we can all agree that A Love Supreme is a magical moment in time that we can all endlessly share in.