My jaw dropped when I discovered this.
James Carey describes his video creation:
A few years ago, knowing I absolutely adored the John Coltrane album, “A Love Supreme” my wife gave me this incredible book by Ashley Kahn : “A Love Surpreme/The Story of John Coltrane’s Signature Album.” Reading the book, I discovered something remarkable: the fourth movement, Psalm, was actually John Coltrane playing the ‘words’ of the poem that was included in the original liner notes. Apparently he put the handwritten poem on the music stand in front of him, and ‘played’ it, as if it were music. I immediately played the movement while reading the poem, and the hair stood up on the back of my neck. It was one of the most inspirational and spiritual moments of my life.
I read this book long ago but forgot about this. I’ll have to go back and re-read (you know how big I am on context for what you’re listening to).
This makes so much sense. The way Coltrane phrases on “Psalm” was/is such a unique statement for a saxophonist. While repetition of a single note is common in vocal music, it’s avoided most of the time by jazz instrumentalists. They/we tend to move from one note to the next. Now, thanks to this video, we can experience what Coltrane was reciting through his horn. (The poem is in the liner notes but this scrolling video makes it more digestible.)
The video creator’s comment about it taking only “two days” to record “one of the most important albums in the history of jazz” is both true and misleading.
I’m reading a book on creativity that investigates how creative contributions are much more than singular acts by individuals.
True, Coltrane’s band captured this recording in two days. But it was possible only because of a group telepathy that was a result of years of work—as individuals and as a unit.
But I digress.
Isn’t this stunning to watch as you listen? Same goes for Coltrane’s hand-written outline/manuscript for the album:
Found both of these initially via Open Culture, here and here.
OMG
ding! 🙂
Genious!!!
Coltrane was the first jazz musician I stopped to listen. I didn’t get jazz before, as I didn’t get most of the music styles besides blues and what was on the radio of course. The first time I heard Coltrane I didn’t get a note, it sounded like madness. But I kept listening for days and days. Then suddenly I got it. Suddenly I was loving that music. Since then I understand and appreciate any piece of music I stumble upon. Coltrane opened my eyes, my senses to music.
What a beautiful thing, Juan. Appreciate you sharing that.
This is another cool animation of the same thing: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WCwkqsnLzks