A Monastic Trio
February 7th 2007 09:20
Deep, moody piano. Angelic harp plucking. Trippy saxaphone-sounding. The ever-present and seemingly haunting percussion section. The big ole double bass intertwining it all together like the outline of a tapestry. That is one way to describe this album.
Alice Coltrane, wife of John and formidable player of both the piano and harp, passed away a month ago. Rest in Peace.
"A Monastic Trio" is being marketed as her centre piece. It is essentially a brooding session type of album, and possibly came from the same scenario. Made in 1968, this was Alice's first studio recording, made a year after her husband's death. In a way, this album has death written all over it. Still, light shines through.
Rather than defining it as early jazz-funk or acid jazz, Ms. Coltrane defines her music as universal. In saying that, you can expect her piano and harp to be used to their maximum potential. The piano side is the a-side, which is quintessentially moody jazz exemplified and uprooted from the piano. At the same time, it is like nothing I have heard before. Gotta say it - experimental jazz.
Listen to this album on a hot and rainy summer night, in a room full of tobacco smoke, dim lights, and twirling fans. I expect it was made in the same circumstances. It is definitely the feeling it evokes. A tropical storm in my own backyard.
There are plenty of possibilities for climax in this album, but the now deceased artist seemed to have a taste for the understated. If there is one, it would be the anticipation of the introduction of Alice's harp on the b-side.
The bass and drums kick on as usual when the harp kicks in. An understated entrance, but this is a most exciting fusion of such a heavenly instrument with a down-to-earth jazzy musical genre. Those who have seen this in concert, please do share the experience. On first listen, I would have given this album 3 out of 5. Not for everybody. Now on my second listen, I'll give it a four. Maybe next time I'll rate it a 5.
Definitely a sunset album.
Alice Coltrane, wife of John and formidable player of both the piano and harp, passed away a month ago. Rest in Peace.
"A Monastic Trio" is being marketed as her centre piece. It is essentially a brooding session type of album, and possibly came from the same scenario. Made in 1968, this was Alice's first studio recording, made a year after her husband's death. In a way, this album has death written all over it. Still, light shines through.
Rather than defining it as early jazz-funk or acid jazz, Ms. Coltrane defines her music as universal. In saying that, you can expect her piano and harp to be used to their maximum potential. The piano side is the a-side, which is quintessentially moody jazz exemplified and uprooted from the piano. At the same time, it is like nothing I have heard before. Gotta say it - experimental jazz.
Listen to this album on a hot and rainy summer night, in a room full of tobacco smoke, dim lights, and twirling fans. I expect it was made in the same circumstances. It is definitely the feeling it evokes. A tropical storm in my own backyard.
There are plenty of possibilities for climax in this album, but the now deceased artist seemed to have a taste for the understated. If there is one, it would be the anticipation of the introduction of Alice's harp on the b-side.
The bass and drums kick on as usual when the harp kicks in. An understated entrance, but this is a most exciting fusion of such a heavenly instrument with a down-to-earth jazzy musical genre. Those who have seen this in concert, please do share the experience. On first listen, I would have given this album 3 out of 5. Not for everybody. Now on my second listen, I'll give it a four. Maybe next time I'll rate it a 5.
Definitely a sunset album.
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