The saxophonist John Coltrane’s masterpiece, is still regarded as a cultural icon because it is a transformative piece of art with spiritual resonance on all levels. More than just a declaration of piety, this four-part suite about faith and redemption is more than just lovely music. Coltrane’s message of love and peace for all people shaped and inspired a generation, but you don’t need to be a member of the previous hippie movement or even understand religion to be moved by the music of A Love Supreme. A Love Supreme is one of the greatest jazz quartets of all time, and only the most gloomy atheists could not be moved by it. presiding over Trane in court is his protégé McCoy Tyner, a virtuoso pianist, and drummer Elvin Jones and bassist Jimmy Garrison, a rhythm section on fire. After listening to A Love Supreme, it’s not difficult to believe the rumor that Coltrane was spoken to by God prior to recording this specific album. Part One of A Love Supreme: Coltrane’s Acknowledgment – 7:47 The moment the dramatic opening notes of “Acknowledgement” (a kind of awakening) hit, you know A Love Supreme is something special. Jimmy Garrison plays the album’s straightforward four-note theme on his bass during the opening cadenza. This theme recurs frequently on different instruments and in different registers. Jones establishes an Afro-Cuban groove beneath a lovely piano intro, Garrison vamps, and Coltrane takes a very lengthy and passionate solo.
He leads the group in a vocal chant of “A love, supreme” later in the piece, set to the tune of the opening bass line. Jones’s impeccable timing adds a hypnotic quality reminiscent of the quartet’s performance on “My Favorite Things” four years earlier. A Love Supreme, Part Two: Coltrane’s Resolution – 7:25 The group begins with the hard-swinging hit song “Resolution” after Garrison’s solo ending and a brief introduction. The group plays suitably for this second movement, which represents the wrath of committing to a new course: Jones’ ferocious fills and compings bolster Trane’s intense, Eastern-flavored theme. Tyner and Trane each take turns soloing, and their exquisite licks demonstrate the group’s extraordinary talent. such an impromptu, one-take record. Part 3: Pursuance/Part 4: Psalm (Coltrane) – 17:50 of A Love Supreme Jones opens the uptempo blues track “Pursuance” with a frantic solo, which is followed by Garrison’s disorienting syncopations beneath Tyner and Coltrane. The longest jam features great extended solos from both men and is, in many ways, the most important piece as well as the fastest and most tonally adventurous—”Pursuance” is a representation of actually achieving the goal. The best is yet to come, though, as Garrison connects the last two parts of this one-take marvel with a lengthy solo influenced by flamenco. Played with only a key and an approximate tempo, “Psalm” is a very slow, dramatic, and unique piece. In a very loose and lyrical manner, Coltrane “reads” the poem from the liner notes on his horn. Many have remarked that Coltrane’s tone is similar to the human voice, and his incredibly vocal improvisations are difficult to ignore. Tyner and Garrison labor in the low register while Elvin creates the thunderstorm beneath him on the tympani. The final note, “All from God, thank you God; AMEN,” is simply amazing. It sounds as though the heavens truly opened up to give us this lovely piece. Personnel: Tenor Saxophone John Coltrane McCoy Tyner: Keyboard Jimmy Garrison: bass Elvin Jones: Percussion and Drums Overall Rating: 5 out of 5 stars I’ve seen the divine, and I’ve viewed as ungodly; no greater can exist. It is A Love Supreme, in fact.”
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