Sold Date: February 1, 2023
Start Date: January 25, 2023
Final Price: $37.00 (USD)
Bid Count: 8
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COLTRANE 'ASCENSION' (VERSION II) STEREO IMPULSE/ABC A-95 1970s 
JOHN COLTRANE "ASCENSION" (VERSION II) STEREO VERSION LABEL: ABC IMPULSE!  AS-95 RECORDED: VAN GELDER STUDIOS JUNE 28, 1965 RELEASED: ORIGINALLY 1966 PRESSING: MID 70s GREEN/PURPLE 'TARGET' LABEL ENGINEER: RUDY VAN GELDER PRODUCER: BOB THIELE MATRIX: (Etched) AS-95 A/B Circled 'I' 
CONDITION: VINYL: VG++   JACKET VG++ 
I've been going thru my massive vinyl record collection this winter and pulling out some LPs that I thought that someone else would want for their collection. I've been collecting records for over 40 years and it's time to pass some of them on to the next generation of collectors.
This week on EBay I am offering up this very nice clean copy of John Coltrane's 1966 Free Jazz Masterpiece "Ascension".
First off, this is a mid-70s pressing on the Green ABC/Impulse label. It is 'Version II' of the recording, as were most all copies pressed at this time. It is a Stereo copy and the Jacket still has the early round Impulse symbol and design.
As you probably know if you're reading this, the first version released on Impulse in 1966 was known as 'Version I,' the 2nd take recorded at the session. Coltrane preferred the first take and the record was soon replaced with that version instead, called 'Version II.' Most pressings contained 'Version II' until the CD era when both versions were combined.
So, this is a Stereo, mid-70s pressing of Version II of 'Ascension' on the ABC/Impulse label.
~~~~~~~~ Free Jazz was a relatively new approach to Jazz in the early 1960s. The term came from Ornette Coleman's 1961 album "Free Jazz" recorded by his famous double Quartet. On that album, Coleman encouraged extreme improvisation and steered away from almost all forms of structure. That album would establish some of the 'rules' of Free Jazz.  
Coltrane was one of the most innovative and creative jazzmen in history and the first real signs of his Free Jazz approach appeared on Coltrane's mythical album 'A Love Supreme' in 1965.
Even though Coltrane had already released many classic, groundbreaking albums, 'A Love Supreme' was Coltrane's masterpiece. It was recorded in December 1964, in a single session, and was an offering from Coltrane's mind and soul to a higher power beyond. 
It's well known that spirituality had helped Coltrane kick his drug habit, and he was working hard in 1965 to find a sense of enlightenment. His music at the time was becoming increasingly Spiritual and it emerged from his heart and soul.
Coltrane had reached a point in his career where he almost didn't have to prove anything anymore. He could play and record whatever he wanted and he went on to do the session that would become 'Ascension'.
'Ascension' follows on that same spiritual journey but finds Coltrane pushing his beliefs further, incorporating his anger about the way African Americans were treated in the 1960s and the frustrations they experienced. Coltrane intended to make 'Ascension' a reflection of the times but also as a timeless statement.
There are a number of 'classic' recordings of the the early development of free jazz but Coltrane's 'Ascension' is one of the the most important.
~~~~~~~~~~ 'Ascension' is considered to be the record that put John Coltrane clearly into the avant-garde free jazz scene and one of the best albums of the style.
John Coltrane made a raw, personal, brutal, but very spiritual album. It is one of the most accomplished free jazz albums. There is nothing like it in jazz.
Many classic jazz albums were made during a single recording session, and 'Ascension' was one of them. On June 28th 1965, Coltrane returned to Rudy Van Gelder's recording studios, accompanied by 10 different musicians to support him, some of which were well known veteran jazz artists and some of which were part of the New York Free Jazz scene. Every musician Coltrane hand-picked for the session was a master of his instrument.
Coltrane surrounded himself with the best musicians, which is one of the reasons why 'Ascension' is a masterpiece.
Famously, 'Ascension' was recorded twice that day. Each take was one long performance, lasting for around 40 minutes. Coltrane understood the importance and immediacy of recording live and being spontaneous in the process.
Coltrane apparently gave the musicians little advance information and no directions for their solos, except that they were to end with a crescendo.
On 'Ascension', the whole ensemble alternates with individual solos by it's members. It's a collective piece, has a group feeling, but generally has an absence of structure, typical of pure free jazz.  The 10-piece expanded ensemble was made up of five saxophones, two trumpets, and a four piece rhythm section.
The Personnel on this album includes:
John Coltrane- tenor saxophone  Freddie Hubbard- trumpet  Pharoah Sanders- tenor saxophone  Archie Shepp- tenor saxophone  McCoy Tyner- piano  Jimmy Garrison- bass  Elvin Jones- drums Dewey Johnson- trumpet; Marion Brown- alto saxophone; John Tchicai- alto saxophone; Art Davis- bass.
~~~~~~ From the beginning of 'Ascension', you are immediately aware that something great is about to happen.
Both takes begin with the theme from ‘Acknowledgement’, which sets the rhythmic, chordal and philosophical direction of the piece.
The album starts with the entire ensemble making a combined statement and then each musician plays a solo, followed by a return to ensemble playing. The whole album is a huge burst of improvised music, both individually and collectively. 
The order of soloing is the same on the two versions.
The solos are all fantastic with each soloist working within the constraints of the theme, but each musician is searching for a way to push the limits. Each player finds ways to stretch the sound of their instrument, with false fingering, overtones, and playing in extreme registers.
No one musician tries to outplay the other. They are not in competition with each other, they are in competition with themselves, trying to push their own playing, their own limits, and trying to express their own inner spirituality, all while being a part of the overall mood of the piece. It's all totally improvised and is a fantastic display of instrumental prowess.
Each musician is on their own spiritual journey and committed to the whole enterprise.  ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Listening to the album, it's a sustained flow of ideas that crash against the ears.
Drummer Elvin Jones rarely uses any discernible rhythm yet manages to keep the piece flowing. 
There are swirling tides of un-interrupted, largely improvised, intense music, that unfolds spontaneously and in real time, but still manages to express spirituality and unification. Controlled, elegant, cacophony.
It's amazing how the musicians could sustain such levels of intensity and focus for over forty minutes. Then take a break and do it all over again.
'Ascension' is a moment of artistic creation, caught live in Van Gelder's studio one afternoon in 1965.
It's awesome, inspiring, intimidating, challenging, intense, beautiful and emotional. John Coltrane's 'Ascension' is the ultimate piece of musical art. It isn't meant to entertain you, you're just supposed to experience it and 'feel' it.
Jazz musician Dave Liebman called 'Ascension' "the torch that lit the free jazz thing". 
~~~~~~~~~~~~ Anyone who hasn't heard this music certainly owes it to him or herself to do so.
It's probably the most polarizing album in the Coltrane discography, and could be the best thing you've ever heard, just as likely as being the worst.
Fans of this piece of music can be organized into two categories: those who claim to understand it, and those who admit they can't.
There is no melody, no harmony, and no tempo, so this shouldn't be a good album, but it definitely is. You are forced to pay attention to everything going on and absorb it.
After listening to this album, you emerge, perhaps cleansed, perhaps relaxed, but definitely changed from the way you were before listening.
~~~~~~~~~~ CONDITION: I tried to show good hi-resolution photos of the cover, labels and vinyl in my pictures.
VINYL: The vinyl looks great. Clean and Bright. There are one or two very small smudge marks keeping it from being excellent, but it looks terrific. It needs a good cleaning after 40 years in my collection.
This is my original copy and I took great care of it. I tried to show some close-up pictures of the vinyl to show how good it looks. I'll call it VG+ to keep everyone happy, but you can see how nice it looks. I'm sure you'll be happy with it.
LABELS: This is pressed on the Green mid-70s ABC/Impulse! label. The labels are clean and bright. No marks or damage. The spindle holes are sharp and clean, suggesting minimal playing.
JACKET: The Gatefold Jacket is in nice condition. This has the earlier ABC/Impulse jacket with the round Impulse logo, not the 'box' logo used on later pressings.
The jacket has the A-95 Mono catalog number, but the vinyl has the AS-95 Stereo markings. This is the earlier Gatefold jacket. The inside of the gatefold has photos and long liner notes that describe the recording and intention of the album. The Gatefold seam is fine and there are no names or marks.
There is a little bit of ageing and toning on the outer jacket which is hard to see due to the white cover, but not bad. These all-white covers were notorious for showing dirt and wear. This one looks pretty good.  The corners are sharp, with minimal bumping. The classic 'orange' Impulse spine is fine, some slight 'fading' at the top of the spine. There's some very mild ring wear, and no seam splits. I'll call it VG+ also, but you can see from my pictures it's quite nice.
Overall, a very nice copy of this classic John Coltrane album. I'm sure you'll love it.
~~~~~~~~~~~~ ** NOTE: I'm selling this rare 'Collector' record "AS IS" and "NO RETURN". It's rare and as described and I'm sure you'll be very happy with it.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ I’m recently retired and downsizing and letting go some gems and rarities from nearly 45 years of vinyl record collecting. Check out the many other fantastic 45s and 33s coming soon to my page!
All records have been carefully evaluated and graded by me. I visually inspect all records under bright light, personally gently clean them with a soft cloth and then, if unsure, play them on a modern high-end turntable to get a true picture of condition. Please look at all the high-resolution pictures I added. They are all my own and are of the actual record being sold. The pictures are part of the description and can show small details, label variations, and condition better than I can put into words. 
My grading is fair and honest and I will ALWAYS refund you for anything you’re not happy with. I have had over 3,300 happy and satisfied EBay customers over the years, with 100% positive feedback, and I have been buying/selling on EBay for well over 20 years, so please bid with confidence!
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As you well know, packing and shipping rare records requires special care and attention, therefore, shipping cost within the lower 48 states is $5.00 on this item. If you would like insurance, or anything faster than Media/Economy Mail, please let me know and I can arrange it for you. I’ll work with you to make sure you’re happy!
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THANK YOU for looking and reading if you got this far.  -- JOHN