Quote:
Originally Posted by MLysh  I'm interested to know what concepts you believe Coltrane was exploring on Ascension? |
Quote:
Originally Posted by Sam Sherry It depends on whether you see this work as un- or post- |
Quote:
Originally Posted by ugly_bassplayer un- or post- ? |
Mr. Lysh's question implies that some people might not think that there are "concepts" at work in
Ascensions. My reply reflects that consideration of the point might depend on perspective.
If you hear
Ascensions as
un-melodic,
un (more properly, a-)tonal,
un-attractive then you would probably conclude that this record is a bunch of skronk.
If you hear
Ascensions not merely as an isolated moment but rather as a reaction to the jazz tradition, you might perceive it as
post-melodic,
post-tonal, maybe even
post-"beautiful" in the traditional sense of the word. There would be a ton of concepts flying around even as the musicians are very clearly Going For The Moment as few others have. Archie Shepp's comments in the liner notes to the effect that the piece sets out a "juxtaposition of tonally centered ideas and atonal elements" reflects that he had some specific concepts in mind; who knows to what degree that reflects other performers on the album.
"You could use this record to heat up the apartment on these cold winter days."" -- Marion Brown, quoted in the liner notes to
Ascensions
Back to my cave . . .
