Jazz for aficionados
Define mantra: a sound, word, or phrase that is repeated by someone who is praying or meditating. Repeat, "A Love Supreme", and it takes on power each time. Mantra's are associated with Eastern religions such as Hinduism, which is the way John Coltrane was leaning at the time of his death. If you absorbed the man and his music at this time in his life, you can truly understand what he meant when he said "All religions have a piece of the truth". Take that a step further and chant, "A Love Supreme, A Love Supreme, A Love Supreme", then stretch your imagination into it incorporating "All Religions", and you will have where Mr. John Coltrane was coming from. |
Few artists have been able to project the level of musical integrity that John Coltrane was able to. Even the photographs of him that I have seen project an intense feeling of purpose, but with a sense of calm and humility; all the more striking when one considers the ferocious quality of some of his playing. My personal feeling only, but this is the reason that I have always been reluctant to attach any kind of negativity to the music from his very last years (post "ALS"); as difficult as it may be to listen to and understand. IMO, artistry that deep deserves the listener’s humility and willingness to consider that it is we who are not up to the task. Schubert, very interesting that you should, without knowing the background of the music, attach religiosity to it. |
Here's my favorite album by Pat Metheney, and it still sounds current. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A6jrvwbQzLs |
