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“My music is the spiritual expression of what I am — my faith, my knowledge, my being… When you begin to see the possibilities of music, you desire to do something really good for people, to help humanity free itself from its hangups…I want to speak to their souls.”― John ColtraneA fine documentary short about the album:

 

Easily one of the most important records ever made, John Coltrane’s A Love Supreme was his pinnacle studio outing that at once compiled all of his innovations from his past, spoke of his current deep spirituality, and also gave a glimpse into the next two and a half years (sadly, those would be his last).
~Sam Samuelson (allmusic)

Acknowledgement and Resolution (Live at Antibes Jazz Festival in the South of France on July 26, 1965):

From Wikipedia:

Released	February 1965
Recorded	December 9, 1964,Van Gelder Studio,Englewood Cliffs, New Jersey, United States
Genre	Avant-garde jazz, modal jazz, post-bop
Length	33:02
Language	English (“Acknowledgement”),instrumental
Label	Impulse!
Producer	Bob Thiele

A Love Supreme is a studio album recorded by John Coltrane’s quartet in December 1964 and released by Impulse! Records (catalogue number AS-77) in February 1965. It is generally considered to be among Coltrane’s greatest works, as it melded the hard bop sensibilities of his early career with the free jazz style he adopted later.

The quartet recorded the album in one session on December 9, 1964, at the Van Gelder Studio in Englewood Cliffs, New Jersey. Coltrane’s home in Dix Hills, Long Island, has been suggested as the site of inspiration for A Love Supreme.

BBC documentary marking the 40 year anniversary of the recording of A Love Supreme, Alan Yentob examines the legend of jazz saxophonist John Coltrane, whose obsession with music is matched by an equally obsessive following all over the world. Very fine docu!

The album is a four-part suite, broken up into tracks: “Acknowledgement” (which contains the mantra that gave the suite its name), “Resolution”, “Pursuance”, and “Psalm.” It is intended to be a spiritual album, broadly representative of a personal struggle for purity, and expresses the artist’s deep gratitude as he admits to his talent and instrument as being owned not by him but by a spiritual higher power.

“My goal is to live the truly religious life, and express it in my music. If you live it, when you play there’s no problem because the music is part of the whole thing. To be a musician is really something. It goes very, very deep. My music is the spiritual expression of what I am – my faith, my knowledge, my being.”
― John Coltrane

Liner notes:

DEAR LISTENER: ALL PRAISE BE TO GOD TO WHOM ALL PRAISE IS DUE. Let us pursue Him in the righteous path. Yes it is true; “seek and ye shall find.” Only through Him can we know the most wondrous bequeathal.

During the year 1957, I experienced, by the grace of God, a spiritual awakening which was to lead me to a richer, fuller, more productive life. At that time, in gratitude, I humbly asked to be given the means and privilege to make others happy through music. I feel this has been granted through His grace. ALL PRAISE TO GOD.

As time and events moved on, a period of irresolution did prevail. I entered into a phase which was contradictory to the pledge and away from the esteemed path; but thankfully, now and again through the unerring and merciful hand of God, I do perceive and have been duly re-informed of His OMNIPOTENCE, and of our need for, and dependence on Him. At this time I would like to tell you that NO MATTER WHAT … IT IS WITH GOD. HE IS GRACIOUS AND MERCIFUL. HIS WAY IS IN LOVE, THROUGH WHICH WE ALL ARE. IT IS TRULY – A LOVE SUPREME – .

This album is a humble offering to Him. An attempt to say “THANK YOU GOD” through our work, even as we do in our hearts and with our tongues. May He help and strengthen all men in every good endeavor.

The music herein is presented in four parts. The first is entitled “ACKNOWLEDGEMENT”, the second, “RESOLUTION”, the third, “PURSUANCE”, and the fourth and last part is a musical narration of the theme, “A LOVE SUPREME” which is written in the context; it is entitled “PSALM”.

In closing, I would like to thank the musicians who have contributed their much appreciated talents to the making of this album and all previous engagements.

To Elvin, James and McCoy, I would like to thank you for that which you give each time you perform on your instruments. Also, to Archie Shepp (tenor saxist) and to Art Davis (bassist) who both recorded on a track that regrettably will not be released at this time; my deepest appreciation for your work in music past and present. In the near future,
I hope that we will be able to further the work that was started here.

Thanks to producer Bob Thiele; to recording engineer, Rudy Van Gelder; and the staff of ABC-Paramount records. Our appreciation and thanks to all people of good will and good works the world over, for in the bank of life is not good that investment which surely pays the highest and most cherished dividends.

May we never forget that in the sunshine of our lives, through the storm and after the rain – it is all with God – in all ways and forever.

ALL PRAISE TO GOD.

With love to all, I thank you,

———-

Part 3: “Pursuance”& Part 4: “Psalm”:

Reception:

A Love Supreme is often listed amongst the greatest jazz albums of all time.

• the manuscript for the album is one of the National Museum of American History’s “Treasures of American History”, part of the collection of the Smithsonian Institution.
• In 2003, the album was ranked number 47 on Rolling Stone magazine’s list of the 500 greatest albums of all time. The publication called it a “legendary album-long hymn of praise” and stated “The indelible four-note theme of the first movement, ‘Acknowledgment,’ is the humble foundation of the suite. But Coltrane’s majestic, often violent blowing (famously described as ‘sheets of sound’) is never self-aggrandizing. Aloft with his classic quartet…, Coltrane soars with nothing but gratitude and joy. You can’t help but go with him.”
• The Penguin Guide to Jazz selected this album as part of its suggested “Core Collection” and awarded it a “crown” stating “It is without precedent and parallel, and though it must also be one of the best loved jazz records of all time it somehow remains remote from critical pigeonholing” calling it “immensely concentrated and rich.”

Personnel:

The Classic Quartet

• John Coltrane – bandleader, liner notes, vocals, soprano and tenor saxophone
• Jimmy Garrison – double bass
• Elvin Jones – drums
• McCoy Tyner – piano

Album of The Day @ spotify:

Other December 09:

 

• Junior Wells (December 9, 1934 – January 15, 1998), born Amos Wells Blakemore Jr.,was an American Chicago blues vocalist, harmonica player, and recording artist. Wells, who was best known for his performances and recordings with Muddy Waters, Earl Hooker, and Buddy Guy, also performed with Bonnie Raitt, The Rolling Stones, and Van Morrison.
• Jakob Luke Dylan (born December 9, 1969) is singer and songwriter, best known as the lead singer of the rock band The Wallflowers and has also recorded two solo albums. He is a son of singer-songwriter Bob Dylan and Sara Dylan.
• A Quick One is the second album by English rock band The Who, released in 1966. The American record company executives at Decca Records released the album under the title Happy Jack, the song “Happy Jack” being a top 40 hit in the US.
  In 2003 the album was ranked #383 on Rolling Stone magazine’s list of the 500 greatest albums of all time.

  Released	9 December 1966 (UK) May 1967 (US)
  Recorded	September–November 1966 at IBC Studios and Pye Studios, London, England
  Genre	Rock
  Length	31:48
  Language	English
  Label	Reaction/Polydor (UK) Decca, MCA (US)
  Producer	Kit Lambert

   

-Egil & Hallgeir