Once again, you demonstrate your love and appreciation of the man who added so much to your life as well as your appreciation of Mexico. I highly recommend the walk at El Orito park, right up the street from you, where people greet you as if they've known you all their life once your face becomes familiar, and sometimes, even when it is not!
Thanks for the search that never ended, I hope your writings about Trane never end, your book is on my pile of to read books, looking forward at it! Never seen Trane alive, but his music always was very deep, I listened to MFT from Berlin 63 in my room without any light on, very intense. And then Japan 1966 wow, must be consumed in small doses. Trane Lives !
I’ve listened to Coltrane as long as you have. Live at the Village Vanguard Again came with my first DownBeat subscription at age 16. I heard Coltrane live at the DownBeat jazz fest in Soldier Field — the music flew over my head, but I knew it was profound. I especially love the music he made with Dolphy and the quartet climaxing in Meditations, and his later recordings, especially including Interstellar Space the final “My Favorite Things” from the Olatunji Center. Everything you’ve written about him here seems to me to be true. Thanks Bret.
I'm another member of this club. My first Coltrane record was Impressions. When was that? 1963?You know, Eric Dolphy on "India". First time I heard Dolphy. Whooo! Yes. Downbeat. You were in Soldier Field? I was there. Archie Shepp came with Trane. They screamed and howled and I loved every second of it. I was in a minority that day.
Dear Bret, Thank you for this enlightening post. My "favorite" Coltrane has always been "My Favorite Things" (I forget which performance)--probably because I know the "song" (and I love the soprano.) But today you helped me see that John was not "performing"; he was Exploring: ("...from Latin explorare ‘search out’, from ex- ‘out’ + plorare ‘utter a cry’.) It recalls the subway warning sign "If you see something, say something." And it recalls T.S. Eliot: "We shall not cease from exploration / And the end of all our exploring / Will be to arrive where we started /
And know the place for the first time....half-heard, in the stillness
Between two waves of the sea." All the very best, Peter G, Newton, MA
Even though I've been listening to Coltrane seriously for just 30 years, I subscribe to every word you say!!
Thanks Bret! Your words resonate with all of us, especially anyone who dares explore the tenor saxophone!!
Amen.
Once again, you demonstrate your love and appreciation of the man who added so much to your life as well as your appreciation of Mexico. I highly recommend the walk at El Orito park, right up the street from you, where people greet you as if they've known you all their life once your face becomes familiar, and sometimes, even when it is not!
You write more impassionately of Trane than anyone I have ever read. It's a great read to engage with. Thanx Brett.
There will never be another John Coltrane.
Thanks for the search that never ended, I hope your writings about Trane never end, your book is on my pile of to read books, looking forward at it! Never seen Trane alive, but his music always was very deep, I listened to MFT from Berlin 63 in my room without any light on, very intense. And then Japan 1966 wow, must be consumed in small doses. Trane Lives !
I’ve listened to Coltrane as long as you have. Live at the Village Vanguard Again came with my first DownBeat subscription at age 16. I heard Coltrane live at the DownBeat jazz fest in Soldier Field — the music flew over my head, but I knew it was profound. I especially love the music he made with Dolphy and the quartet climaxing in Meditations, and his later recordings, especially including Interstellar Space the final “My Favorite Things” from the Olatunji Center. Everything you’ve written about him here seems to me to be true. Thanks Bret.
I was only 8 years old when Coltrane died, never saw him live, but I discovered him 4 years later when I started playing saxophone.
I'm another member of this club. My first Coltrane record was Impressions. When was that? 1963?You know, Eric Dolphy on "India". First time I heard Dolphy. Whooo! Yes. Downbeat. You were in Soldier Field? I was there. Archie Shepp came with Trane. They screamed and howled and I loved every second of it. I was in a minority that day.
Dear Bret, Thank you for this enlightening post. My "favorite" Coltrane has always been "My Favorite Things" (I forget which performance)--probably because I know the "song" (and I love the soprano.) But today you helped me see that John was not "performing"; he was Exploring: ("...from Latin explorare ‘search out’, from ex- ‘out’ + plorare ‘utter a cry’.) It recalls the subway warning sign "If you see something, say something." And it recalls T.S. Eliot: "We shall not cease from exploration / And the end of all our exploring / Will be to arrive where we started /
And know the place for the first time....half-heard, in the stillness
Between two waves of the sea." All the very best, Peter G, Newton, MA
Hello Newton!
Hbd John Will I am Coltrane
I have ordered your book. Thanks for this post, it was wonderful to better understand the whole arc of his career.
Thank you, Michele. I hope you enjoy it.