John Coltrane – A Love Supreme: Live In Seattle

This recording is from a concert that took place the day after they had recorded this classic:
https://discogs.librosgratis.biz/master/37246-John-Coltrane-Om (allegedly on acid)
and two days after this amazing concert, where Pharoah Sanders first sits in with the group:
https://discogs.librosgratis.biz/master/200017-John-Coltrane-Featuring-Pharoah-Sanders-Live-In-Seattle
And then, two weeks later, they recorded the title tracks from these two albums:
https://discogs.librosgratis.biz/master/75934-John-Coltrane-Selflessness-Featuring-My-Favorite-Things
Also including Juno Lewis, who made this recording and had the tapes on a bookshelf for 50ish years.
That this resurfaced and has been released is just a miracle. It is a really nice piece of the puzzle.

Am I the only one who dislikes the cover art?
Having a live recording of A Love Supreme is a miracle, yet the cover is just ... meh?

My pressing quality was fine. But I want to say, especially because some people here are posting comments of "stop complaining, you had plenty of warning via online reviews", that I bought this in spite of those reviews because I believed it couldn't be *that* bad and for you all know, the people making the negative comments are listening back on a mediocre playback system or with a Crosley turntable or whatever.

So let me just say: believe the reviews. Honestly, I don't think this needs to be released on vinyl. Most of us are into vinyl because of the sonics. And while sonically speaking the recording isn't technically awful, it can only be described as "good" if you are especially interested in hearing the details of Elvin Jones and Tyner, and some of Jimmy Garrison.

I mean, this is like buying a ticket to see a show where the star performer decides they are going to play from inside the bathroom rather than come on the stage. And that is literally what it sounds like -- as if Coltrane and Pharaoh are in another room entirely. I am actually considering returning this or reselling it. Yeah, it is a historical document, but this is the kind of thing I wouldn't mine having on CD. There is no logical reason to own it on 180-gram vinyl, in my opinion. YMMV.

Furthermore I am worried that Coltrane's legacy will fall prey to 'Charlie Parker syndrome'. At this point it is only a matter of time before somebody unearths a cassette of Bird farting the notes to Cherokee in the back of a taxi cab, and releasing it for Record Store Day on marbled 180g vinyl for $50. Please, let's not do this with Coltrane...

The overall sound is very low and you have to crank up your system. The mix is unbalanced and while this is supposed to be a Coltrane recording, there is not that much actual Coltrane on this recording. You have Pharoah Sanders Tenor Sax and Carlos Ward Alto. Because this was not a pro recording and more of a bootleg, the saxophone is far back in the mix. Drums and piano are loud and clear and this would be great booked as a McCoy Tyner/Elvin Jones release with special guest John Coltrane. Big disappointment considering this is an Impulse! release and not a public domain knock-off label. The vinyl package is excellent, the performance is excellent, but the mix leaves much to be desired. I wanted to love this album and pre-ordered it, but this is just how it is.