I'm sure what you just wrote, in our contemporary atmosphere of sneering, jump-cut nihilism would strike some as earnest and gauche. It's not though -- you are so right; about Coltrane, about authentic art, spirituality.
I think even ostensibly decadent artists like Charlie Parker and Art Pepper were spiritual souls, messengers. It's brutal being a sensitive person in a corrosive world, and some survival strategies are more skillful than others. Even Brecker baptized himself in chemical refreshment for a few years. We should all be grateful that him and Coltrane managed to pull out of that particular tailspin.
I hated jazz before I heard Coltrane. The jazz I heard around the house was retrofitted Young Lions stuff. It just lacked juice, conviction. It sounded like a tepid conference room in congress with a spreadsheet. I encountered Coltrane by accident, and what a revelation. It was the track Bakai. That was all I needed, it was off to the races after that.
I'm looking forward to reading your book. Non-Coltrane obsessives are probably mystified as to why he should inspire such devotion and hyperbole. But he really was something. Thank you for keeping the flame burning.
I'm halfway through the book. Do you know how few of us there are? I joke....there are maybe twenty people on the planet who know this stuff. You and I are but two of them. Most of them are also right here on this thread. The book's a great read.
I'm sure what you just wrote, in our contemporary atmosphere of sneering, jump-cut nihilism would strike some as earnest and gauche. It's not though -- you are so right; about Coltrane, about authentic art, spirituality.
I think even ostensibly decadent artists like Charlie Parker and Art Pepper were spiritual souls, messengers. It's brutal being a sensitive person in a corrosive world, and some survival strategies are more skillful than others. Even Brecker baptized himself in chemical refreshment for a few years. We should all be grateful that him and Coltrane managed to pull out of that particular tailspin.
I hated jazz before I heard Coltrane. The jazz I heard around the house was retrofitted Young Lions stuff. It just lacked juice, conviction. It sounded like a tepid conference room in congress with a spreadsheet. I encountered Coltrane by accident, and what a revelation. It was the track Bakai. That was all I needed, it was off to the races after that.
I'm looking forward to reading your book. Non-Coltrane obsessives are probably mystified as to why he should inspire such devotion and hyperbole. But he really was something. Thank you for keeping the flame burning.
Can't wait to read this!!
Thanks, Bret. Downloaded your book for my Kindle. ❤️
I have a Kobo, Bret. I have apps that maybe convert from Kindle. I can't wait to read this book. I just have to change it to an epub file.
I'm halfway through the book. Do you know how few of us there are? I joke....there are maybe twenty people on the planet who know this stuff. You and I are but two of them. Most of them are also right here on this thread. The book's a great read.
got it!! 😎 thank you, thank you, thank you
I spent the day reading it yesterday. Will write a review. Thanks Bret, you have lived such an interesting life!
A beautiful summation of your mission and endeavor. I’m right there with you on this Bret, and look forward to reading it.
Thank you!
Felicidades, Bret!