Re: [Harp-L] Required Reading --- A Love Supreme

"Chris Michalek" <chris@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx> · Thu, 20 Apr 2006 02:01:16 +0000

You stated it had been quite a while since you listened to it. My choice of words would have been very different if you given thought to your words. Something like "I've had this disk for awhile. I never liked. I just listened to it again and I still can't figure out why people like it...." would have worked much better. Otherwise, I get ice in my veins and I can become cold, calculating and manipulative. Knome sain?

In the mid 90's when I was relatively close to Howard Levy, he would always tell me I have to listen to Coltrane, then he stared giving me Aebersolds with Coltrane tunes and changes. I simply didn't like Coltrane. I expressed that to Howard and he gave me his copy of a love supreme. I still don't like early Coltrane nor do I like his later works but his MIDDLE period was something else. I have always believed my music comes from "the beyond and elsewhere" which btw is not foreign to many musicians. There is a certain place that I go when I play. I could hear Coltrane get into the zone and from there his music spoke spiritually. His spirit was recorded for the first time and that's a big deal.

Listen to the energy and how the band connects with each other. That's what I get out of it. The playing was fierce and tenacious. As I mentioned before that is what I learned from that album. I learned how to hear, how to see, how to connect, how to attack. My ferocitiy in playing comes from that album. Listen again, that music is not of this earth and Coltrane was not playing it from here.
-----Original Message-----
From: Pierre [mailto:plavio@xxxxxxxxxxxx]
Sent: Wednesday, April 19, 2006 05:44 PM
To: 'Chris Michalek', harp-l@xxxxxxxxxx
Subject: Re: [Harp-L] Required Reading --- A Love Supreme

Chris said:

>> Only a fool would would make such a blind comment.

Its not a blind comment, I listened to it a few times (or at least tried).

I like Blues, but I listen to 20 times more jazz than blues, I am fully aware that it is very highly regarded as a classic "must have" album (that's why I bought it) but I do not see why it is so highly regarded. I was hoping, really hoping you would educate me. Sorry I pissed you off, I must admit I was not very delicate.

> Both Howard Levy and Toots Thielemans hold this disk in high esteem.

Does not mean they find it musically interesting to listen to which is my point. It's great technically of course its Coltrane and I read that he was trying to demonstrate a new improvising approach (perhaps why it is highly regarded and not because it is great to listen to), but I would not call it an interesting listen.

Now I will give it a few more listens and will try and open my mind, my taste in Jazz have changed a lot in the last few years, perhaps I just was not ready for it.

I'll try and make a list of 5 CDs I like, seems only fair.

Pierre.

----- Original Message -----
From:Chris Michalek
To:Pierre ; Chris Michalek ; harp-l@xxxxxxxxxx
Sent: Wednesday, April 19, 2006 6:55 PM
Subject: Re: [Harp-L] Required Reading --- A Love Supreme

Only a fool would would make such a blind comment on what is regarded as one of the most influential CDs of all time. It's listed as #47 on the Rolling Stones list of all time great albums. Both Howard Levy and Toots Thielemams hold this disk in high esteem.
The tenacity of my playing comes from listening to this disk and in short, this CD is why I am such a "badass" on the harp. Suggest you give another listen. Perhaps tomorrow at 4:20 with some 4/20 or simply stick to your blues and never speak of this issue again.

>-----Original Message-----
>From: Pierre [mailto:plavio@xxxxxxxxxxxx]
>Sent: Wednesday, April 19, 2006 03:33 PM
>To: 'Chris Michalek', harp-l@xxxxxxxxxx
>Subject: Re: [Harp-L] Required Reading --- A Love Supreme
>
>Chris said:
>
>1. A Love Supreme by John Coltrane
>
>Sorry Chris, but why???? its such boring shit, not even musical and even
>less interesting.
>
>Ok, its been a long time since I heard it, but don't think my opinion would
>change if I listened to it again.
>
>Pierre
>
>
>----- Original Message -----
>From: "Chris Michalek" <chris@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
>To: "Dan" <billybudd1313@xxxxxxxxx>; <harp-l@xxxxxxxxxx>
>Sent: Wednesday, April 19, 2006 11:42 AM
>Subject: Re: [Harp-L] Required Reading
>
>
>1. A Love Supreme by John Coltrane
>2. Shahen-Shah by Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan
>3. Live at Royal Albert Hall - John Mclaughlin Trio
>4. Sitar by Shahid Parvez and Kumar Bose
>5. Le Sacre du printemps - Igor Stravinsky
>
>
>>-----Original Message-----
>>From: Dan [mailto:billybudd1313@xxxxxxxxx]
>>Sent: Wednesday, April 19, 2006 07:52 AM
>>To: harp-l@xxxxxxxxxx
>>Subject: [Harp-L] Required Reading
>>
>>Dear List,
>>
>> Writing about Kim Wilson just now, I thought of a new thread. I wrote 
>> about Jimmy Rogers' Chicago bound CD a minute ago, and thinking back, I
>> should've had that disc LONG before I did. In the interest of being fun,
>> and maybe saving newer players from missing out, I pose the following 
>> question.
>>
>> In your opinion as a harmonica enthusiast, what 5 CD's/albums are must
>> haves, or contributed the most to your own development? Call it "desert
>> island discs", call it "requred reading" Call it what you want.
>>
>> Please limit to 5 because it's harder that way, and challenges are fun.
>>
>> Please state your genre/genres of focus for reference. Do not feel limited
>> to harp-containing music, or any specific genre.
>>
>> I'm a blues "nut" with a jam band history, so here's a list from my
>> experience:
>>
>> Genre/Philosophy: I love to play harmonica in the broad blues category.
>> This includes many sub-genres. Here's 5 that made HUGE impacts on me.
>>
>> 1. Hoodoo Man Blues (Jr. Wells)
>> 2. Chicago Bound (Jimmy Rogers with Little Walter on harp)
>> 3.Muddy Mississippi Waters Live (James Cotton on harp)
>> 4. Live at BB Kings (Rod Piazza)
>> 5. Blues Traveler ((first disc self titled (John Popper))
>>
>> There's so many more.....but that's my 5 and I'm sticking to it.
>>
>> Dan G.
>> www.edbluepills.com
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>
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