Alice Coltrane

Eternity's PIllar

Exotic Material

Drawn from the Coltrane archive, here are seventeen episodes of Alice Coltrane’s weekly programme Eternity’s Pillar, broadcast very late on Sundays by the LA television station KTTV, 1985-1986. Nine hours overflowing with devotional wisdom, meditation, and music.

‘Coltrane appeared seated on a set decorated with flowing curtains, musical instruments, peacock feathers and objects of spiritual significance. She’d play piano, harp or keyboard, sometimes singing bhajans accompanied by her followers or performing instrumental versions of old gospel hymns.’

Also included is a 15-minute segment from a 1970 episode of the National Education Television Black Journal, featuring an interview with Alice at home in Dix Hills, NY, and footage from a Glen Cove performance with Pharoah Sanders, Reggie Workman, Bill Wood, and Rashied Ali.
Plus a full-colour 80-page book containing a detailed episode guide, Alice Coltrane’s written responses to questions about Eternity’s Pillar, a new interview with Michelle Coltrane, a remembrance by Jaya Lakshmi Moss, and three new essays.
‘Transportive, regardless of whether one has any interest in the spiritual message… a unique, fascinating treasure trove’ (The Wire).

Hold tight, rudy, and take a deep breath, here’s a glimpse of Alice taking off, in a rather garish ad.