Ascension- COltrane

sargebaker · #1 10-18-2005, 06:30 PM

What do you guys think of this album? I just bought it and got through my first listen. So far however all I can think is White Noise, there seems to be so much going on and all structure just lost into a black abyss. I really would be curious to hear how it sounds with less musicians, or at least less horn players.

This album is a monument of jazz so in a few listens I'll probably "get it" and my opinion will change.

JimK · #2 10-18-2005, 06:38 PM

A shock to the senses...still after all these years?
I first heard a snippet in '76 or so & couldn't take it. Every so often, I would try it again. Maybe '96 or so, I began to dig it. Now, I love it...

Ascension needs all those musicians...it was Coltrane's 'answer' to Ornette's double 4-tet Free Jazz 'experiment'.

Kelly Coyle · #3 10-18-2005, 07:33 PM

It takes time. Jost's book, Free Jazz, has a pretty extensive analysis of it if I remember correctly. Might be worth a look.

jerry · #4 10-18-2005, 07:45 PM

I love it!! Like Jim said...it took me a few times. The perfect antidote for smooth jazz.

sargebaker · #5 10-18-2005, 07:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jerry

I love it!! Like Jim said...it took me a few times. The perfect antidote for smooth jazz.

abstinance works for me

**Adam Barkley** · #6 10-18-2005, 07:53 PM

I like it. Not something I would play for a get-together, but great for when I want something different.

sargebaker · #7 10-18-2005, 07:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by abark000

I like it. Not something I would play for a get-together, but great for when I want something different.

heh I was waiting for your reply, was expecting something a little more in depth

sargebaker · #8 10-19-2005, 06:51 PM

anyone else?

Ostinato · #9 10-19-2005, 07:18 PM

Beautiful. Anthemic. A great recording for re-calibrating the synapses.

Bruce Lindfield · #10 10-20-2005, 01:56 AM

Well there are plenty of other Coltrane albums that you could have started with and which I'd rather listen to - like Giant Steps, A Love Supreme, Favourite Things etc. etc. Not to mention all the albums he played on with other Jazz greats....

It would be way down my list of essential Jazz purchases...?

JimK · #11 10-20-2005, 04:32 AM

I would not recommend Ascension as a first Coltrane album/listen.
I wouldn'rt really recommend Bitches Brew as a first Miles' album, either.
Sarge...was this the 1st time you tried Coltrane?
If so, you're a brave man.

Bruce Lindfield · #12 10-20-2005, 04:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JimK

I would not recommend Ascension as a first Coltrane album/listen.
.

I must admit I've never listened to Ascension as I have been put off by reviews saying that the playing isn't that good - I remember comments about what people thought Free Jazz ought to sound like if they had learned about it at college and how some of the playing just peters out aimlessly....?

And as I say there are so many truly great Jazz albums to buy - I've got thousands of Jazz albums and still feel I'm only scratching the surface of a definitive Jazz collection...

jerry · #13 10-20-2005, 06:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bruce Lindfield

And as I say there are so many truly great Jazz albums to buy - I've got thousands of Jazz albums and still feel I'm only scratching the surface of a definitive Jazz collection...

That's why your my hero Bruce.

Coward Of Reali · #14 10-20-2005, 01:03 PM

I prefer Meditations. It sounds like they're playing in the bowels of hell.

sargebaker · #15 10-20-2005, 06:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JimK

I would not recommend Ascension as a first Coltrane album/listen.
I wouldn'rt really recommend Bitches Brew as a first Miles' album, either.
Sarge...was this the 1st time you tried Coltrane?
If so, you're a brave man.

I started w/ Giant Steps and in terms of Miles I started on Kind of Blue didn't dig it much and then went to Bitches Brew which I'm convinced is "my album" In fact I was never able to much get into the classic "acoustic miles" but his fusion stuff slays me, I can't even describe how it makes me feel.

As far as Kind of Blue goes I really like "So What", the first sax solo gives me chills everytime i hear it! I was just never able to fully appreciate the rest of the album, like it's never made me go "OMFG this is the best jazz album ever..."

It'll probably come with time.

Bruce Lindfield · #16 10-21-2005, 01:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sargebaker

As far as Kind of Blue goes I really like "So What", the first sax solo gives me chills everytime i hear it! I was just never able to fully appreciate the rest of the album, like it's never made me go "OMFG this is the best jazz album ever..."

It'll probably come with time.

I don't think it's the best Jazz album ever - it's just the most popular Jazz album ever!

The Penguin Guide to Jazz on CD - which is my favourite reference - has Miles' "Complete Live at the Plugged Nickel" as the best Jazz album ever!!

But here's a list of their top Jazz recordings :

http://www.counterpoint-music.com/5star.html

Coward Of Reali · #17 10-21-2005, 02:41 PM

Live at the plugged nickel is amazing.

RHFusillo · #18 10-21-2005, 03:41 PM

Ascension, Free Jazz, and Live at the Plugged Nickel are recordings of muscians trying to accomplish the same goal -- to reinvent music. Same with Bitches Brew. Not a lot of that going on these days.

If you want to hear something that will scare the hell out of you, listen to Coltrane's Om.