Album of the day (#3106): Ascension by John Coltrane

[albummaster]

Today's album of the day

Ascension by John Coltrane (View album | Buy this album)

Year: 1966.
Country:
Overall rank: 929
Average rating: 78/100 (from 239 votes).

Thumbnail. Click to enlarge.

Tracks:
1. Ascension, Pt. 1
2. Ascension, Pt. 2

About album of the day: The BestEverAlbums.com album of the day is the album appearing most prominently in member charts in the previous 24 hours. If an album, or artist, has previously been selected within a x day period, the next highest album is picked instead (and so on) to ensure a bit of variety. A full history of album of the day can be viewed here.

[Tha1ChiefRocka]

"The band is just warming up. We'll be ready to play in 40 minutes."

[Fischman]

This album is one the famous for Coltrane finally putting both feet fully into the avant-garde, and that's a fair assessment. But while many may lament the lack of traditional melody or structure, there is still very much a method to Coltrane's madness. I hear a marvelous cohesiveness in all that chaos. It must have been a bit of a shock to folks in '66... but maybe not too much as it was preceded by Ornette Coleman's seminal avant garde outing by over half a decade. Still, I suspect few ears were ready for this, especially from the guy who gave us the equally brilliant and gloriously listenable Blue Train. Nevertheless, if you've got the ear and the stomach for it, the 'Trane is more than ready to take you for a ride with this one.

[stangetzaway]

If you want to torture someone with a hangover this is the one.

[Jameth]

I missed this post, yet listened to Ascension for the first time last night. I only have Spiritual Unity to compare it to, but it was truly enjoyable. It pulls you into this warped, other world all its own.

I listened to both Editions, and I can see why there was the switch, because Edition I lacks the ultra cool twin bass solo found in the second edition.