John Coltrane - Offering: Live at Temple University,1966 (Resonance, 2014)

Today is my Holy Day, my only holy day. Sept. 23, 1926, my hero, John Coltrane,was born, and there is no better gift to the world than a never before released live concert. This show was unearthed in 2005 and sees its first proper christening today by (Resonance Records).

Recorded just months before his death, This Philly show saw Trane pushing all limits. His health was declining and he knew the end was nigh. Mind you, this is a year or so after McCoy Tyner told someone that Trane was playing so hard that blood was spewing from his mouth. At one point, he removes the sax and begins chanting, and changing vocalization by beating his chest. This was at the point where he felt he had pushed the instrument to its furthest extent, and the only maneuver beyond was to cut out the middle man and push from the depths of his diaphragm.

As far out as he gets here, with Alice Coltrane, Rashied Ali, Pharoah Sanders and a crew of Philly based percussionists, he returns to finish with his rendition of "My Favorite Things", a fan favorite. The drastic departure from the extremes to finish with this was FOR his fans. He never forgot that his spiritual quest could never have launched and finished without those people that loved him.

Trane's body was dying, and the end was soon. He didn't succeed or fail, because,as he would have told you, there is no beginning or end, just the journey.

Recorded November 11, 1966
Mitten Hall, Temple University
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Featured Artists: John Coltrane – soprano & tenor saxophones, flute & vocals

Pharoah Sanders – tenor saxophone & piccolo

Alice Coltrane – piano Sonny Johnson – bass

Rashied Ali – drums

Additional musicians include: Steve Knoblauch, Arnold Joyner – alto saxophone Umar Ali, Algie DeWitt, Robert Kenyatta – percussion

Resonance Records, which is a 501 (c)(3) non-profit foundation, will contribute a portion from every sale to the John Coltrane Home (www.thecoltranehome.org), an organization devoted to the preservation of Coltrane’s former home in Dix Hills, New York.

TRACK LIST:

DELUXE 2 CD DIGI-PACK
Disc One
01. Naima (16:28)
02. Crescent (26:11)

Disc Two
03. Leo (21:29)
04. Offering (4:19)
05. My Favorite Things (23:18)

DELUXE 2 LP GATEFOLD
Side A
Naima (16:28)

Side B
Crescent (26:11)

Side C
Leo (21:29)

Side D Offering (4:19) My Favorite Things (23:18)

John Coltrane - Cosmic Music (1967, Coltrane Records)

If you're a die hard Trane fan, this is a must have. Unfortunately, its been out of print for many years so its usually the album that heads haven't heard. Its a very important record because its the first session with the new line-up. McCoy Tyner and Elvin Jones had departed due to differences in creative vision and Trane was now joined by his wife, Alice, Rashied Ali, Pharoah Sanders and long-time bassist Jimmy Garrison.

This is possibly the most deeply spiritual album this very spiritual man ever recorded. Love and praise for the universe seemed to flow from his horns like it never had before. His obsession with polyrhythmic drumming had reached new heights and the interplay between dual drummers (Ali was joined by Roy Appleton on this session) freed him to explore the furthest possibilities of sound. The pairing of the Coltranes feels like utter unity and was easily one of the greatest musical connections of all time.

Clocking in at just over 22 minutes, the two tracks 'Manifestations' and 'Reverend King' are fine examples of the immensely focused and dedicated vision this colective had. There are points where the group is so cohesive that it seems they actually do break through to inner space.

Another beautiful aspect of this is the bass clarinet played by Trane on 'Reverend King'. Its comparable to Eric Dolphy's stirring solo version of 'God Bless the Child'.

This is holy material, if you buy into that sort of thing. Music is my salvation and this is praise and worship for me. These forgotten gems truly are cosmic music.

Get Blessed