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Help me understand John Coltrane .... seriously.

Hi Everyone,
Listen I have a favor to ask, and those of you better educated in Jazz can help me.

I always have a tough time listening to John Coltrane. It's like he's talking a different language.
Can any of you point me to recordings I should listen to on Tidal or Quboz or whatever that set me up to better appreciate the man?


Thank you for the musical education.

Best,

E
erik_squires

Showing 3 responses by jbhiller

jbhiller's avatar
jbhiller
1,446 posts
 
Erik, 

I love jazz and I don’t love Coltrane. I respect him and like some of his work. Overall, I find his lead lines stabbing, terse and not very melodic. He often sounds like he’s racing through scales and modes. I’m with you. 
When I was first exploring jazz 25 years ago I listened to him because he’s in the cannon of popular jazz. Today, I’m down to owning just two of his albums and I rarely play them. 
jbhiller's avatar
jbhiller
1,446 posts
 
Miles criticized Coltrane for playing too long and too much. But I think that was in the early days. I bet Bill Evans was thinking, dude chill and make it musical! 
jbhiller's avatar
jbhiller
1,446 posts
 
@erik_squires ,  E, this is another provocative thread you authored.  I enjoy the questions you ask in this manner.  They really get you thinking.  Also,  I enjoy how you adroitly "stay out of it".  You are setting up the question and if a debate exists, then, so be it. 

Back to the programming at hand...

I really do enjoy "John Coltrane & Johnny Hartman" on Impulse (1995 Vinyl reissue).   You might not believe it's Coltrane. Give it a whirl and maybe move deeper.  Coltrane's not an easy ride from his middle period onward for me.


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