Synopses & Reviews
More than a simple biography of John Coltrane, this book is an in-depth examination of his unique sound and work, tracing the saxophonists career arc from a Navy band to his recordings just a few years before his death, at which point he was already a venerated figure within the music industry. The first part of this exploration focuses primarily on the roughly 10-year period before Coltranes death, during which he achieved an incredible series of musical milestones in an almost religious pursuit of perfection, and analyzes the evolution of his playing style and the critical reception to it. The second part of the book discusses Coltranes legacy and influence, not only within the context of jazz but also on other modern musical forms. Through research and investigation, Ratliff identifies Coltrane not just as a preeminent jazz musician but as one of the great creators and innovators of his time in any field.
Más que una simple biografía de John Coltrane, este libro es un examen exhaustivo de su sonido y su obra única, recorriendo la trayectoria del saxofonista desde sus primeras actuaciones con una banda de la marina hasta los discos grabados a las puertas de la muerte, cuando ya estaba establecido como una figura venerada dentro de la música. La primera parte de esta exploración se enfoca principalmente en la década antes de la muerte de Coltrane, durante la cual había ido hilvanando una prodigiosa sucesión de hitos musicales en una búsqueda casi religiosa de la perfección, y analiza la evolución de su estilo de tocar y la recepción crítica de éste. La segunda parte discute el legado e influencia del artista, no sólo dentro del contexto del jazz, pero sobre otras expresiones musicales modernas también. A través de la investigación e indagación, Ratliff identifica a Coltrane no sólo como uno de los más importantes músicos del jazz, pero también como uno de los grandes creadores e innovadores de su época.
Review
"Always going past the legend to focus on the real-life stories and the actual recordings, Ratliff's assessment is a model for music criticism." Publishers Weekly, on the English-language edition
Review
"Brilliant, economical . . . sharp . . . [Ratliff] skillfully and convincingly places Coltrane as something of a man apart from most other musiciansa cultural comet, as much as a musical one." San Francisco Chronicle, on the English-language edition
Review
"This is popular, nontechnical music analysis at its best." Booklist, on the English-language edition
Review
"A formidable analysis that captures, in very carefully chosen language, Coltrane's charisma, the passion of his search, and the exceptional importance of his legacy without ever falling back on the verbal effusiveness so common in jazz books." Phillip Lopate, author of The Art of the Personal Essay
About the Author
Ben Ratliff is the jazz critic for the New York Times and the author of The Jazz Ear: Conversations over Music. He lives in New York City.