Help me understand John Coltrane .... seriously.


Hi Everyone,
Listen I have a favor to ask, and those of you better educated in Jazz can help me.

I always have a tough time listening to John Coltrane. It's like he's talking a different language.
Can any of you point me to recordings I should listen to on Tidal or Quboz or whatever that set me up to better appreciate the man?


Thank you for the musical education.

Best,

E
erik_squires
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.
skyscraper,

Any way that you can write a manual how to stay classy and simple in every conversation?

It is a good thread, indeed.

bdp24,

I tried Ornette Coleman, after your mention, on the youtube last night. Thanks, I do have to say I like it much more than John Coltrane music I have heard. I may be going backwards, it seems.