What eludes some people about A Love Supreme is the depth of
meaning it had for John Coltrane. The easiest way to convey this to you
is to use John's words. What follows is straight from the liner notes:
ALL PRAISE BE TO GOD TO WHOM ALL PRAISE IS DUE.
Let us pursue Him in the righteous path. Yes it is true; "seek and ye
shall find." Only through Him can we know the most wondrous bequeathal.
During the year 1957, I experienced, by the grace of God, a
spiritual
awakening which was to lead me to a richer, fuller, more productive life.
At that time, in gratituude, I humbly asked to be given the means and
privilege to make others happy through music. I feel this has been granted
through His grace. ALL PRAISE TO GOD.
As time and events moved on, a period of irresolution did prevail. I
entered into a phase which was contradictory to the pledge and away from
the esteemed path; but thankfully, now and again through the unerring and
merciful hand of God, I do perceive and have been duly re-informed of His
OMNIPOTENCE, and of our need for, and dependence on Him. At this time I
would like to tell you that NO MATTER WHAT...IT IS WITH GOD. HE IS
GRACIOUS AND MERCIFUL. HIS WAY IS IN LOVE, THROUGH WHICH WE ALL ARE. IT
IS TRULY -- A LOVE SUPREME --.
This album is a humble offering to Him. An attempt to say "THANK YOU
GOD" through our work, even as we do in our hearts and with our tongues.
May He help and strenghten all men in every good endeavor. The music herin
is presented in four parts. The first is entitled "Acknowledgement", the
second, "Resolution", the third, "Pursuance", and the fourth and last part
is a musical narration of the theme, "A LOVE SUPREME" which is written in
the context; it is entitled "Psalm".
In closing, I would like to thank the musicians who have contributed
their much appreciated talents to the making of this album and all previous
engagements.
To Elvin, James and McCoy,
I would like to thank you for that which you give each time you perform on
your instruments. Also, to Archie Shepp (tenor saxist) and
to Art Davis (bassist) who both recorded on a track that
regrettably will not be released at this time; my deepest appreciation for
your work in music past and present. In the near future, I hope that we
will be able to further the work that was started here.
Thanks to producer Bob Thiele; to recording engineer, Rudy Van Gelder;
and the staff of ABC-Paramount records. Our appreciation and thanks to all
people of good will and good works the world over, for in the bank of life
is not good that investment which surely pays the highest and most
cherished dividends.
May we never forget that in the sunshine of our lives, through the storm
and after the rain -- it is all with God -- in all ways and forever.
ALL PRAISE TO GOD.
With love to all, I thank you,
John Coltrane
A Love Supreme
I will do all I can to be worthy of Thee O Lord.
It all has to do with it.
Thank you God.
Peace.
There is none other.
God is. It is so beautiful.
Thank you God. God is all.
Help us to resolve our fears and weaknesses.
Thank you God.
In You all things are possible.
We know. God made us so.
Keep your eye on God.
God is. He always was. He always will be.
No matter what...it is God.
He is gracious and merciful.
It is most important that I know Thee.
Words, sounds, speech, men, memory, thoughts,
fears and emotions -- time all related...
all made from one...all made in one.
Blessed be His name.
Thought waves -- heat waves-all vibrations --
all paths lead to God. Thank you God.
His way...it is so lovely...it is gracious.
It is merciful -- thank you God.
One though can produce millions of vibrations
and they all go back to God...everything does.
Thank you God.
Have no fear...believe...thank you God.
The universe has many wonders. God is all.
His way...it is so wonderful.
Thoughts--deeds--vibrations, etc.
They all go back to God and He cleanses all.
He is gracious and merciful...thank you God.
Glory to God...God is so alive.
God is.
God loves.
May I be acceptable in Thy sight.
We are all one in His grace.
The fact that we do exist is acknowledgement
of Thee O Lord.
Thank you God.
God will wash away all our tears...
He always has...
He always will.
Seek Him everyday. In all ways seek God everyday.
Let us sing all songs to God.
To whoma all praise is due...praise God.
No road is an easy one, but they all
go back to God.
With all we share God.
It is all with God.
It is all with Thee.
Obey the Lord.
Blessed is He.
We are from one thing...the will of God...
thank you God.
I have seen Godd--I have seen ungodly--
none can be greater--none can compare to God.
Thank you God.
He will remake us...He always has and He
always will.
It is true--blessed be His name--thank you God.
God breathes through us so completely...
so gently we hardly feel it...yet,
it is our everything.
Thank you God.
ELATION--ELEGANCE--EXALTATION--
All from God.
Thank you God. Amen.
Whatever happened after this time, and whatever life John lived, this work,
this
masterpiece of
innovation and
emotion stands throughout
history as one of the most
honest and
true musical endeavors ever
recorded. John Coltrane was more than just a
Saxophonist, more than just a
musician. John Coltrane was an
artist of the highest and greatest
calibre, worthy of his
reputation and worthy of praise.
I may not be a Christian and I may not believe in God, but I believe in
John Coltrane and I believe in the strength of his conviction; and when I
listen to this piece, I believe that any man, woman or child can
achieve greatness in whatever they do; if only for an instant. I thank
John Coltrane for what he gave me.
Please read this if you wish to know my dilema
regarding this piece and Branford Marsalis.