Help me understand John Coltrane .... seriously.

It took me quite a while to “get it” as well. I first stayed with things like Kind of Blue which he accompanied on. Then I went with A Love Supreme, but, it didn’t really speak to me. Then I bought Blue Train. I was also listening to a lot of Wayne Shorter at the time. Slowly it started to click. The quick runs no longer sounded random. Then I found Lush Life. This is a delicious mellow album that is very easy to greet you. I went back to Giant Steps because I started craving more avant garde sounds like Eric Dolphy and Ornette Coleman. I came across a fantastic piece on YouTube that explains the Coltrane Changes musically and mathematically. I highly recommend it. For some reason I can’t post a link here, but, it’s titled The Most Feared Song In Jazz, Explained on YouTube 

This thread has been one of my favorites on AG. Really great, and people sgarung love of music and not going “violent-nerd” on kit. 
I’ve been a jazz head since 7th grade and JC remains a favorite. But my unles, an accomplished and well-regarded bass player, especially swing, hates hard bop. So ymmv. 

Eric, I love these suggestions, particularly those who speak of how music grows on you. I felt the same about Sun Ra as you did with JC i think, and have now come to enjoy SR, though it still depends on mood. 
However, in the classical realm, no one makes my skin crawl like many Benjamin Britten pieces do. 
Thanks for asking the question. Great discussion resulted. 

Erik, please pardon this brief aside to Glupson who asked up-post if I'd ever purchasd the SACD version of the Stone's Let It Bleed. Glupson, I ordered the SHM-CD SACD (Japanese Pressing, Single Layer) today. Your question was a reminder I'd been remiss in this matter. 

Now back to Coltrane.

Mike

Erik, this article I have posted already in jazz for afc.thread, you may take a look there sometimes, at least it has some very good music.

On Coltrane, you might find it interesting;
http://www.openculture.com/2017/04/the-tone-circle-john-coltrane-drew-to-illustrate-the-theory-behind-his-most-famous-compositions-1967.html

Stephon Alexander, cosmologist and author of The Jazz of Physics, talks math and music, John Coltrane and Einstein.
https://youtu.be/0nhIEO59OnY

 I am not sure if understanding is related with liking, so will post few albums with Coltrane that are 'easier' to listen to

https://youtu.be/sCQfTNOC5aE
https://youtu.be/8RRV3dzOOyY
https://youtu.be/ya1xRmRBWUQ
https://youtu.be/dPGmmLUwNvk
https://youtu.be/uue1io35msQ

I don't get Coltrane completely.  I don't really get into A Love Supreme and I've tried.  I do like Bags and Trane, Jazz, Plays the Blues and the record he did with Hartman, another with Burrell.  He get's out there  sprinkling in some of the other side of himself occasionally that keeps it interesting and compelling but is mostly melodic on the above.  I do love Coltrane's ballad work and really really love Alice's work across the board.