I’ve just heard the news that Alice Coltrane has died. I’m quite distraught by this. An amazing human being who managed the near-impossible task of stepping out from the colossal shadow cast by her late husband, producing a run of albums in the 1970s (Ptah, World Galaxy, Universal Consciousness, A Monastic Trio, Journey In Satchidananda, Huntingdon, Lord Of Lords) which demonstrated amply the reasons for John’s faith in her abilities.
Lord, help her to be.
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January 14, 2007 at 7:29 pm
themilkman
This is a terrible news. I just cannot believe it. I was so excited to see her play live in April.
I first heard of her with the great interview she gave to The Wire some years ago, and found myself intrigued by the character and how spiritual she was, and thanks in part to Dave at work, then, so much thanks to Andrew, I have discovered her work and fallen in love with her stunning music. Seeing her live would have been the cherry on top of the cake.
Just last week, I sent my three favourite albums of hers (Ptah, A Monastic Trio and Journey in Satchidananda) to a couple of friends who were, like me all these years ago, intrigued by her work.
May she rest in peace.
January 15, 2007 at 10:49 am
Mandrew
A
men.
January 19, 2007 at 11:32 pm
martin fletcher
I am genuinely shocked and saddened (and yet not surprised - everyone dies eventually) by this news.
I first heard Alice Coltrane on The John Peel Show (UK BBC Radio) in 1972 - he played an extract from ‘Journey in Satchinananda’, and I immediately fell in love with the harp, the Indian influence and the pure soul.
23 years later my partner gave me as a present the ‘Journey in Satchinananda album on CD (it took that long to find! -I had tried so many times..), and I play it more than almost any other album I own. I am a blues harmonica player, and yet this music spoke to me in a way that I had not previously thought possible.
Alice Coltrane was a multi-instrumentalist who crossed many musical boundaries,and yet received little acclaim (perhaps because her husband was such a key figure in jazz, and therefore her unique contribution was hidden from view).
Alice Coltrane played harp and piano but also had a unique organ style. Each element of her playing is distinctive and entirely individual and unique
She made albums of jazz/Indo-jazz fusion/devotional music based on her love of Indian spirituality, musical form and John Coltrane - every item is infused with her sincerity and devotion…although there are items I don’t find personally satisfying, I find the intention behind the performance entirely genuine.
Altough inevitable..as everything returns eventually to the centre of being..I mourn the loss.
I will keep listening.
Martin Fletcher
UK 20/01/2007
January 22, 2007 at 4:14 pm
mapsadaisical
Martin - me too. I was about to dash to the airport when I heard the news, and had no time to write the full obit that she deserved. Thanks for expanding it for me.