53. John Coltrane - A Love Supreme (1965)

1. Part 1: Acknowledgement

2. Part 2: Resolution *

3. Part 3: Pursuance

4. Part 4: Psalm

[only one Editor's Pick this time, as there are only four songs on the album]

A+

I'll admit I'm not really a fan of John Coltrane. I have nothing against him, but nothing of his that I've heard has made me particularly interested in exploring his work. That said, it's hard to argue with this album. It manages to be raw and powerful and sometimes even aggressive, while at the same time maintaining an atmosphere of chilly beauty. The album was recorded in the middle of Winter in New Jersey, and I can't help projecting on to it the sense of a group of people huddled together, trying to evoke something warm and hopeful in the midst of the darkness. 

In fact, I think it's this "striving" quality that lends the album its power. Throughout the course of the album, Coltrane seems to be searching for something - a perfect breakdown, or a particularly beautiful theme. This is a very accessible album, because it's quite pretty throughout and there's a discipline to the frequent noodling and a tightness to the rhythm section that keeps the whole thing from going off the rails. The freeform experimentation on the album (frequently reminiscent of Ornette Coleman's atonal wandering) is anchored by beautiful little melodies which the band state, mutate, wander in an out of, and then revisit at unexpected moments. The result is a bold, strange album that you'll find yourself humming snatches from for days afterwards. 

The whole album is framed as a celebration of God and humanity's place in His plan, and while there's only one vocal on the album (Coltrane repeating the phrase "A Love Supreme" to the tune of Part 1's theme) this spiritual quality pervades the music. The final track even consists of Coltrane playing the words to a poem in praise of God (included with the liner notes) on his saxophone. (You can read the text of the poem here).

So while this album hasn't converted me to the Cult of Coltrane, I can't help but admire it. It's an astonishing piece of work. The music blends African, Middle Eastern and Latin elements, frequently abandoning the Blues altogether (although they frequently resurface as a sort of anchor for the music). The playing on this album also strongly influenced many guitar players - it's easy to forget, when reciting the history of Rock music, just how many guitarists based their playing off of the great Jazz horn players. I think I read somewhere, for example, that Jimi Hendrix was strongly influenced by Roland Kirk. But I'm wandering.

So while my favourite Coltrane remains Alice (whose album Journey in Satchidanada really deserves to be included in the Book), this really is one of those albums you have to hear before you die. It's one of the cornerstones of modern music, and pretty beautiful as well. 

For no reason, here's a link to Journey in Satchidananda on YouTube.