SPILL ALBUM REVIEW: ALICE COLTRANE – THE CARNEGIE HALL CONCERT

ALICE COLTRANE
THE CARNEGIE HALL CONCERT
VERVE RECORDS

Alice Coltrane’s live album, The Carnegie Hall Concert, has recently been released. Knowing this is an Alice Coltrane album, it is evident you are in for an experience. This work certainly doesn’t disappoint. The control and mysticism of this work alone say a million words about Alice Coltrane’s pure mastery at every turn. It is, quite simply, the masterwork of a true genius showing off their talent.

The opening track, “Journey In Satchidananda”, is an excellent example of the quality of this album for two different reasons. To begin, it feels too perfect to even sound live, which brilliantly just shows what a great artist Coltrane was. Second, when seen on its own, the production is simply extraordinary. The track includes additional noises to bolster the song and enhance the spiritual element at play. These noises help to heighten the suspense and transform a straightforward jazz tune into a full-fledged masterpiece. The remaining tracks continue this tradition, which is even more daring and satisfying.

The entire album keeps up a balancing act; it feels like at every turn there is so much feeling planned and thought out. It’s almost unbelievable to think this was all done live, considering the level of intricacy that is woven throughout this work. If I had to choose the most standout track here that really gets this across, it would be “Africa”. This track has an intensity rarely felt before and spins itself with odd and unbearable sounds that ingeniously all work together to make a daring and spiritual live performance. There’s a level of respect each track alone has, considering how long they are, and despite that, Alice Coltrane never once dips in quality with either production or her pure mastery. She is continually showing off what a masterful musician she is.

The Carnegie Hall Concert is a mystical masterclass that represents what jazz can be. Moreover, it exemplifies the quality of an exceptional live album. It is a performance that is far better than most jazz studio albums that come out, and it stands as a testament to the genius Alice Coltrane was.

Overall, The Carnegie Hall Concert is a work that shows off not just the unbelievable skill and talent Alice Coltrane had, but what a brilliant live performer she was.

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