Help me understand John Coltrane .... seriously.

I have a friend who is a huge music fan. I was shocked when he told me he hated Miles Davis. Apparently, years ago his uncle, an accomplished Jazz pianist, had given him a copy of "Bitches Brew" to add to his collection of classic rock albums.  Starting Miles with "Bitches Brew" is like introducing someone to rock music with Nine Inch Nails. There is no way they could get it. They would need to start with Elvis, The Beatles, Cream, Led Zeppelin...

I suggested he listen to Kind of Blue and go from there. 
If you are new to discovering Jazz, I suggest starting with Lewis Armstrong, then follow the trail of musicians influenced by him.

And Ah
On Coltrane '58: The Prestige Recordings "Lush Life" and "I want to talk about you". They are on Qobuz 

On Coltrane Plays The Blues try the iconic "Mr. Syms" (on Qobuz too).

Then pease listen to all of these albums or if not for you then chacun à son goût and hasta la vista señor.

Poko:

Thanks, enjoyed it.

I spent a day (late 70's) listening to everything Coltrane @ a friends house and during one song we both said "what the F was that" @ the same time.

DeKay

Maybe he is just not your cup of tea Eric. Just because he is renowned and influential does not mean everybody loves his music.


I agree that most Coltrane is not an easy listen. Lot’s of other jazz for that.

The thing I always find interesting about John Coltrane at his best is he does not play the notes you would expect him to play. He is always doodling/improvising with the material. He goes off on riffs with his sax much the same way say an Eddie Van Halen would later go off with his guitar, often, but not always, with great success.