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Reviews: John Coltrane: A Love Supreme

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Reviews: 6

Review by petermwilson July 15, 2003 (2 of 7 found this review helpful)
Performance:   Sonics:
Hi,
Until I purchased this disc, aside from the name that I heard mentioned from time to time, I had no idea what to expect.
Then I found myself listening to it daily for about a week.

Shortly thereafter I was browsing the music section of one of our Mega bookstores and found that there is actually a HardCovered book based soley on this album. Ok I guess I'm not the only one who likes it, but I had no idea that it had enough significance to warrant it's own book!!

Peter m.

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Review by Claude August 23, 2005 (11 of 12 found this review helpful)
Performance:   Sonics:
I don't know if I have to give a review of the music, as this is in the Top 10 of the most essential jazz albums.

The transfer for this SACD sounds better than the previous CD reincarnation (Impulse 20bit remaster from the mid 90's). The only flaw is that the remastering engineer Rudy Van Gelder (who also recorded the session) has again decided - like on many of his Blue Note remasters - to brighten the sound on the (right) channel that reproduces the drums, in order to give the cymbals more emphasis. This provides for more clarity but also less homogenity between the channels. Despite this, the SACD is worth buying even if you have the previous CD re-remaster.

Too bad that the bonuses of the following Deluxe CD reissue (alternate tracks and live version of the suite) have been omitted.

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Review by djcowboy February 21, 2006 (3 of 5 found this review helpful)
Performance:   Sonics:
I resisted purchasing this album because I really did not think I liked John Coltrane. Boy did I get this one wrong. I had always thought of Coltrane as being a little too aggressive , overwhelming....uncontrolled. Well you know the other saying about first impressions.

This is a very spiritual CD and you will find yourself listening to it repeatedly. I now understand that what I had perceived as wreckless, is passion. As I get older I can appreciate how difference is not always good or bad.....just different. Coltranes' style is different from ost of the musicians of his generation. Just listen to Kind of Blue; the way he and Cannonball approach the same songs are vastly different and it still seems to work.

Since this is my first purchase of this CD I really do not have anything to compare this with other than music I have from the same era. The quality is good based on the age and I agree with the comments concerning the Rudy Van Gelder treatment mentioned in the other review. Rudy! If you're out there, show a little restraint on those cymbals. Otherwise very good job. This is another of those jazz essential that anyone into MUSIC should have at least one copy.

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Review by mandarintje November 18, 2010 (1 of 1 found this review helpful)
Performance:   Sonics:
Wow! I thought this started off a little hardcore for my sensibilities, but although it is not as comforting and reassuring as the repetition of most music, I really got into it. I'm proud of myself for letting go and just enjoying it! and did I ever! fantastic !!!

There are places that made me gasp out loud, that made me jump.... totally thrilling. Excellent sound quality.

Not background music, it's highly engaging.

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Review by Djoel August 27, 2011 (2 of 2 found this review helpful)
Performance:   Sonics:
I've owned this John Coltrane sa-cd for over 5 years or so, and I've listen to it many times. Like a favorite book I seem to get something new at every listen. A friend of mine posted on AVS forum that he had just made a purchased and I immediately got excited for him, as it reawaken all that I feel for this SA-CD .
I'm not familiar with the recording process of this particular session as other are. What I do know is that this recording is a celebration of life, and love. A jolt to the senses, chaotic assault to ones sensibilities. A wake up call of the human spirit, as if he is saying nothing else matters, we're alive and breathing now lets celebrate that.

This is a 2 channel hi rez disc as all of you know, and it sounds amazing, open and dynamic! Every slap of the drums, every tick of the sides of the drums, every snare of the cymbals come through in vivid colors. The pluck of the bass is clean, and would be an aid for someone looking for a quick on the draw sub/s. Piano key's comes in so gently like a welcome summer rain in hot day. The complexity of this arrangement just boggles the mind, yet as a whole the simplicity is just as awe inspiring.
All this is happing while John's sax leads like a four star general commanding his troops in a take no prisoner assault.

This is to me a beautiful recording, and what I would say it's a master piece, a work of art..I sure hope someone at NASA adds a copy of this in Hi Rez on board on some deep space probing unmanned craft.

Sorry to ramble on, but I'm just passionate about this disc, the truth is I wouldn't call myself a Coltrane fan per say, but I'm a fan of great music. I hope you enjoy it just as much as I do.

Daniel J. T..

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Review by progboy January 12, 2013 (3 of 3 found this review helpful)
Performance:   Sonics:
John Coltrane - A Love Supreme , SACD

A masterpiece of musical expressionism and one of my most beloved jazz albums ! This album has been reviewed a million times and considered by jazz affectionados as one of the pinnacle jazz album so not uch really to add.

Essentialy this is Coltrane doing what he does best......conveying feeling thru his music. A Love Supreme really is an emotional rollercoaster ride moving from sad to happy to high to low emotions. Trane draws on his jazz mates of Elvin Jones, McCory Tyner and Jimmy Garrison who helped create IMHO one of the most thought-provoking, emotive and technically pleasing jazz albums of all time.
This was intended very much to be a spirtual prayer album with Coltrane playing some of his most emotive reed work ever!
I think this album really breathes.......it is not Coltrane on heroin.....but rather Coltrane creating a very unique sound scape where he can covey his music spiritually.
If you are a jazz lover then you already know this album and have discovered it's inner beauty....for those new to jazz this is a great place to start.

The Impulse SACD was restorred and mastered for SACD by Rudy Van Gelder in 2002 and was one of the first SACD's I had to own after buying my SACD player! This SACD has a few of the original source limitations which You can hear but was left intact purposefully by Van Gelder to ensure the integrity of the master is passed on. The mix is excellent too with great instrument clarity and the right amount of seperation. I think the drums are mixed very clear and seem very bright and accentuated a bit more than other recordings I have which helps I think make this SACD feel so fresh.

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