By Gregory Crofton
So I did. It is pretty freaking amazing. The whole band on that record sounds fantastic.
Director John Scheinfeld, as he should have, focused on the music in his latest documentary film.
Best known for WHO IS HARRY NILSSON (AND WHY IS EVERYBODY TALKING ABOUT HIM?) (2010), Scheinfeld chose a literal name for CHASING TRANE, which is right on the mark.
Keeping up with Coltrane’s music wasn’t really possible. He moved fast and learned fast. It seems he became too good, unlistenable for many, in part because he practiced furiously, and reached for the outer limits when he was able to stretch himself that far.
Coltrane, who died at 40, was a determined man. Determined to quit heroin cold turkey. Determined and skilled enough to express his spirituality and hope to reflect and deflect the pain and horror that comes in life.
Trailer for CHASING TRANE
Watch director of CHASING TRANE talk about his film before its premiere last year in Los Angeles.
And here’s an older documentary about Coltrain, THE WORLD ACCORDING TO JOHN COLTRANE.