31. A Love Supreme - John Coltrane.

 Let's step away from the mainstream for a moment. Enough Beatles and Bob Dylan. We are headed back into the realm of jazz. I am still hung up on the Ornette Coleman experience, but this album is far more accessible to the jazz neophyte. It is quite a nice listen, with lots of different facets to the music for the listener to enjoy. The album consists of three tracks for a total run time of thirty three minutes.

 First up is "Acknowledgement". It starts off with some fluttering saxophone that gives way to the drums and piano. It returns with the main melody line, and the busy chord structure underneath. He noodles around and the changes seem erratic, but the whole thing melds together into a nice sound, with each element distinct and remarkable in it's own right. The sax is quite busy at times, but rarely shrill, making it easy on the ears. The piano chord changes seem to pick up when the sax melody simplifies, keeping the complexity of the track alive. Then suddenly the words "A Love Supreme" are chanted like a mantra three or four times and the song ends. 
 
 "Resolution" picks up where "Acknowledgement" leaves off. The main melody line is more distinct in this one, and the sax takes a break for a bit, while the piano takes center stage in the middle of the tune, banging out chord changes and soloing for a while. The drums are very busy, with lots of little fills and a constant ride cymbal, that drives the tune forward. The distinct melody makes the tune a little more structured, it is easy to hear where the music is headed. 

 To complete the album is "Pursuance/ Part 4- Psalm". The first minute and a half is basically solo drums whaling away. Coltrane joins in and we are off again. The sax and piano share the spotlight, trading riffs while the rhythm section holds it down. The drums are interestingly busy, actually, everyone seems pretty busy. It is interesting how you can pick a certain part to concentrate on and hone in on that particular instrument for a while, and then something else will grab your attention and you can listen to that part intensely, or just let the whole piece wash over you and just go along for the ride. At about nine minutes in, the double bass player gets his turn for a little bass solo. The whole quartet gets to have their moment in the spotlight on this album. 
The tone changes following the bass solo and that, I assume, is where Part 4 begins. The atmosphere is far more relaxed and ambient, with the sax playing relatively slowly, almost mournfully, it feels like he is communicating a story of a serious nature, not necessarily sad, but perhaps solemn is the word I am looking for. The track is called "Psalm", so I suppose that shouldn't be surprising. And then it is over. 

 This album is widely regarded as one of the best jazz records out there. The musicianship is excellent, and the whole quartet is featured prominently in the recordings. There is a nice flow through the album you feel like you have heard what he had to say by the end of it. At no time were my limits challenged as a listener, I was quite comfortable with the whole album, as compared to my Ornette Coleman experience. To my ear this record is on par with "A Kind of Blue" from Miles Davis. If you are new to jazz (as I am) and  looking for something accessible, I believe this is a must listen. Rolling Stone thinks so too, placing this album at number 47 of the 500 Greatest Albums of All Time. Check it out.


Buy it here.

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