Comments on: Chasing Trane: A Review, An Appreciation, A Spiritual Awakening

By: Brian

Brian — Fri, 06 Jan 2017 00:53:09 +0000

wow,what a person you are,your sensitive caring soul and love for Coltrane has helped me restore faith in humanity at a time in America heartwhen our great nation is terribly divided,I was just really tripped out by your heart and want to point that out.I will pray for you and I hope you will pray for us too.As far as Coltrane goes I just fell in love with him and his spirit this past Labour Day when I heard A Love Supreme for the first time! and its been amazing since,thank you for your review,cant wait for the movie to be available for us.Peace to you and your loved ones 🙂

By: Christopher

Christopher — Mon, 05 Dec 2016 23:34:47 +0000

I can picture you in the library listening to all of that great music again and again. That’s how I was in high school, only I would look at books and magazines about dancing. The arts have a healing power. Thank you for sharing your experience so openly. It’s a very moving story, and it helps to remind me we aren’t alone!

By: Barbara Kerbel

Barbara Kerbel — Sat, 03 Dec 2016 18:18:15 +0000

Al, I am not a jazz lover, but this incredible review and personal narrative moved me to tears. I am choked up as I write because of the window about you that re-opened and because of my own malaise, depression, melancholy, etc. about the election. So glad that in addition to family, you have this other great love! Hugs to all. Barbara

By: Al

Al — Fri, 02 Dec 2016 14:45:16 +0000

This is Al. To all of my regular readers. Have no fear, I will be back to my regular postings on Monday. The Return of Jazz Collector, if you will. Before then, I will post one more long comment on this article, expressing thanks for your comments, updating you all on how I am doing (well), and offering a little guidance from my experience the past few weeks. But I can’t do that today because I have to write two white papers for a client so I can pay the bills.

By: rl1856

rl1856 — Thu, 01 Dec 2016 22:56:39 +0000

Al, you and I will never agree politically, but we do share the bond of “Jazz”. I discovered the genre while in HS, as I cruised the FM dial for something different. I happened upon WBGO as they were in the middle of a Miles Davis celebration. Like a pebble dropped into a still pool, my interest expanded outward in concentric ripples that continue to this day.

Your initiation into Jazz (and Coltrane) resonated with me, as my introduction to him was also through My Favorite Things. I discovered the tune and album late in HS, and it followed me into college. I spent much time flat on my back, with headphones clamped to my ears, MFT on the tt, with the volume turned up. From the fast but metronomic waltz tempo, to the transition into ‘Trane’s solo that goes off in all directions while remaining anchored to the theme, it was a great way to tune out, and then into ones own thoughts.

I share this as a way of pointing out that there is common ground even with those we vehemently disagree with. Like everyone, I was astonished at the outcome of the election. I did not vote for Trump (or Hillary), but I understood many of the sentiments on both sides. I consider myself a conservative, and I can say to my liberal friends that they now understand how we felt in 2008. BUT, the sky did not fall and the country did not end. There were changes (good or bad depending on perspective) but here we are today, debating the meaning of the outcome. The real winner is the US. Let us unite to preserve our country so we may continue to have these debates, and express our national opinion every 4 years. I think the American Experiment has a lot more life left in it.

And I will listen to “One Up, One Down” this evening !

By: Steve Heckman

Steve Heckman — Thu, 01 Dec 2016 00:00:13 +0000

Wow—Thank you so much for so openly and freely sharing your deepest emotions. Your essay was so moving, and your courage in being so open about your personal pain, as half of our nation goes through a very similar process of shock, dread, disbelief, anxiety and horror, was beautiful and inspiring. I totally resonated to your reaction to the election results, also imaging the Apocolypse, with the Mad Hatter at the wheel with some of the sickest and most corrupt cronies, including a neo Nazi (!) as chief of staff—which still makes me shudder—However, I too found solace on November 9th and the days after in listening to Coltrane, first going through A Love Supreme from start to finish, followed by the almost 28 minute version of One Down, One Up from Live at the Half Note. It was not until a few hours later, I realized the hidden message in my choice of music to listen to, in an effort to soothe my terror and rage. When reflecting on the title “One Down, One Up” I was reminded of the cyclical nature of the struggle of light vs. dark, the higher aspects of our humanity vs. “the beast.” Yes, perhaps we are One Down—for now—but I was given hope that One Down will be replaced by One Up; darkness will not last forever.

I also deeply resonated to your describing the effect Coltrane has had on your life. Listening to Coltrane has gotten me through the most difficult times, starting as a 15 year old, and continuing for over the next 50 years—when nothing around me seemed to make any sense, listening to Trane restored my strength to keep going—and provided me with all the sense that I needed; sometimes it was the only thing that made any sense. I did not know the story about Nagasaki. But your description of his wanting to be fully present with all that went on there perhaps sheds further light on why, for me, even just hearing one note from John’s horn is transporting, and makes me feel like I am not alone.

By: Rich DG Mono

Rich DG Mono — Wed, 30 Nov 2016 20:51:23 +0000

Regarding the documentary, it looks like our next chance to see it won’t be until 2017, correct?

By: Fredrik

Fredrik — Wed, 30 Nov 2016 20:07:04 +0000

A superb, personal post which to which I can relate to on multiple levels. The anxiety, the fears but the absolute knowledge that music can bring you salvation. Looking forward to seeing the movie. For me, living in a relatively progressive nation like Sweden, it’s impossible to understand how a goon like Trump can become the President of the United States of America, and thus the most powerful leader in the world. It’s a joke, and it’s sad. Let’s hope for a calm and collected next few years. Thanks for this post Al. Keep faith.

By: Tessa Souter

Tessa Souter — Wed, 30 Nov 2016 19:24:46 +0000

That was an extraordinary read! Thank you!

By: Craig Holiday Haynes

Craig Holiday Haynes — Wed, 30 Nov 2016 19:12:35 +0000

Thanks for your determination, diligence and insight! I still remember times that John Coltrane came to my house and Even as a 7 or 8 year old boy, I could sense his strong spiritual and serious nature. Eric Dolphy was of a different nature and was my first male adult friend (I was a bit younger when he would come over though). I’m looking forward to seeing the documentary and having it help me in dealing with the current events of the day as well. Thanks again!