![]() ![]() I prefer the more melodic vibe of his Atlantic recordings, as well as his earlier albums for the Impulse! label, like “Crescent” and “Coltrane.” Although a jazz standard, this next song – named after Coltrane’s first wife, Juanita Naima Grubb – seems to have the more universal appeal of a simple prayer. Some would argue that those performances are his crowning achievements. In an earlier post, I confessed that I tend to bail out of Coltrane’s more manic, atonal pieces. With due respect to Alice, let’s move on to a song by John Coltrane – and so many great ones to choose from. Huntington Ashram Monastery/Alice Coltrane Given the huge shadow cast by her husband, she remains one of the jazz world’s most underrated artists. It’s powerful stuff, haunting yet hopeful… from a master who left us in 2007. But this harp sounds as deep as the dark soil beneath us. Then there’s Alice, playing an instrument normally associated with heavenly bliss. The bass player is jazz legend Ron Carter – another Miles Davis alumnus – and he’s laying down one of the great bottom lines of all time. This groove sounds ancient to me, as old as any root that feeds the blues. And few songs prove this point better than the next one. If Alice Coltrane taught us anything, it’s that spiritual music isn’t necessarily “happy” music – it can be dark and dangerous but still uplifting. It may be a product of its time, but “My Goals Beyond” is a timeless piece of work with moments of great beauty – like this one from his original composition, Follow Your Heart: Follow Your Heart/John McLaughlin The songs were assembled as a tribute to his Indian guru Sri Chinmoy, and McLaughlin plays stunning acoustic guitar throughout in settings that range from single-note meditations to big, droning passages with soprano sax, violin, tablas and drums. But his solo album from 1970, “My Goals Beyond,” is something altogether different. John McLaughlin gained fame and notoriety with his fiery electric guitar on Miles Davis’ landmark “Bitches Brew” album ( definitely not Sunday morning music). With that off my chest, I’ll also admit that one of my favorite Sunday-morning albums is a musical love letter to Eastern culture and religion. Besides, chanting reminds me of the Hare Krishnas I spent much of the ‘70s avoiding at airports. Repetition’s cool when you hear it in a song by John Lee Hooker or Lightnin’ Hopkins, but kind of annoying when delivered by your yoga teacher. But I guess I’m a little too American to take that leap. Someone suggested I should mix it up with a little Sanskrit chanting. Lyrics, like the Good Book itself, are subject to different interpretations and endless debate. And let’s stick with instrumentals for now. Or even the worshipful sound of Bill Evans or Ahmad Jamal on piano. I’m thinking Coltrane-like spirituality, as embodied by both John and Alice. Then again, Sunday morning music should not be without a certain aura of spirituality, as subtle as it might be. ![]() But as an appropriate soundtrack for Arts and Leisure, it just doesn’t fit the bill. It’s really something that should be experienced in person – preferably in an inner-city, African-American, “make you sweat, sway and swoon” church (I’m still searching for the right one, honest… I swear). That’s because the best gospel music, in terms of energy level, is right up there with Metallica or the Jonas Brothers. On the other hand, I rarely play gospel music on Sunday morning. I’m trying to wake up, not go back to sleep. ![]() But don’t expect Mantovani, Enya, Celtic Women or Windham Hill. Now this sacred songlist is about as close as I get to much-maligned labels like Easy Listening or New Age. (Hey, I did 12 years of hard time at parochial schools, so you Bible-thumpers can just back off right now!) ![]() And for me, that worship involves a cup of joe, the Sunday Times, and a playlist of soul-soothing music. ![]()
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