I consider Coltrane's supremacy a fact.

Oh, well it is subjective, so you know.

I don't get it.

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Coltrane said in the book "Black Nationalism and The Revolution in Music" that it might be very true that he stole all his ideas from Sun Ra... I think what Coltrane meant (and what he went on to to say in the book, was that many artists at that time were "dipping into the same pool of inspiration" and they were playing off each other)... This phenomenon is true in all sorts of ground breaking music in various forms of music... What is very clear is that Sun Ra's John Gilmore was VERY influential to Coltrane's experimental (or should I say "non-standard") music... What also is clear is that Coltrane's output has been far far far more influential than Sun Ra's... A analysis of why that is true could be interesting... My point is even Coltrane would not deny that Sun Ra (and John Gilmore) were very influential to him, but Coltrane's output has clearly been more influential than Sun Ra's...


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Nice informative post Syd.

Thanks.

I'm waiting for Satch to respond.

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Well, to be honest I wouldn't have known what I posted just six months ago, but I am working on a Coltrane documentary for public radio and I have read a whole bunch of books about him as well as other reference sources (film, online)...

Also I have immersed myself in his music... I am a bit burned out on Coltrane right now... I am trying to be objective (as to what of his music has had the most influence)... The internet has been a huge help in terms of getting info on what jazz enthusiasts like from Trane...

It is easy to get too caught up in the subject matter and go overboard as to the worth of the subject person or material... So I am trying to clear my brain for a month or so and then I will review my material and hopefully have a clear picture (or ear) as to what Coltrane's "worth" was/is... Because right now I am apt to say after Louis Armstrong and a few others he IS the most influential musician of the last 100+ years... The key is (and this is very important) is that I am trying to speculate that his music will continue to influence on a level beyond virtually anyone else of the last 100 years (I base this on the influence he has had since his death)... More people point to him as an influence then they do to almost anyone one else... It's amazing how diverse his influence has been (jazz, rock, experimental, classical, hip-hop, carribean, progressive, and even heavy metal rock)...


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But the question in my mind (and many others) was the "music" from his late period good??? Such a simple question and a response can be so complex...

I am in the camp that stuff on Ascention (either release) and beyond, can they be classified as music (what its classification is I am unclear)... I am not saying it is bad... It definatly inspires some to gush over its complexity and demanding nature... The question for me comes down to, what does it inspire?

His album "Transition" is about as far as I can go (in terms of appreciation)... Either I just don't get it (which is possible) or he crossed the line outside of music into some kind of sound anarchy...

Sometimes in this world if an acclaimed artist does anything beyond the conventional some people flock to it as a symbol of advanced perception... When in reality the work may have little value... Coltrane's late works have value due to the fact some many noted critics and enthusiasts praise it... But if we step back and reveal the work for what it is, how much value does it really have (is it a "Emperor Has No Clothes" situation. To some degree)???


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