Chi Coltrane (16-11-1948, Racine) was one of seven children of a Canadian mother and a German father, a violinist. She showed an early interest in music and began playing the piano at seven, and by twelve could play eight instruments. Her favourite instrument is the piano, with which she wanted to find God. In 1970, she played in various clubs in Chicago. A year later, she represented her country at the International Rock Festival in Rio de Janeiro. Not long after, she signed a record contract with CBS/Columbia Records.
Her debut album 'Chi Coltrane' was released in 1972 and became a worldwide hit thanks to her first single 'Thunder and Lightning'. More than a million copies of the single were sold. After a successful tour, she spent two years in the studio recording her second album 'Let it Ride' (1974). Coltrane wrote all her own songs and this album was again a great success. She then gave 300 concerts worldwide in one year. She also scored hits in Europe, including top ten hits in Germany, the Netherlands, Austria and Switzerland. With Go like Elijah, she spent weeks in the Dutch Top 40 and the Daverende Dertig, including two weeks at number 1 in 1973. Between 1973 and 1975, she attended the 'Salter School of Music' in Los Angeles. In 1975, two compilation albums were released: 'Greatest Hits' and 'Best of Chi Coltrane'. Two years later, her third album 'Road To Tomorrow' (1977) appeared. She then moved to Europe, where she made her next albums: 'Silk and Steel' (1981), 'Live!' (1982), 'Ready to Roll' (1983) and 'The Message' (1986). From 1991 she lived in Zurich, after which she returned to her native country in 1993, where she started a recording studio in Los Angeles. In 1996, her compilation album 'Chi Coltrane's Golden Classics' was released. In 2009, Chi Coltrane returned to the stage with the album 'Yesterday, Today and Forever', which is a compilation of her work from 1982 and also contains some new songs.
Top 2000
In the 24th edition of the NPO Top 2000, Chi has one entry. Go Like Elijah is at number 856 and has dropped 50 places that year (2023). But hey, that could easily change the following year!
In a TV broadcast of the Top 2000, Chi spoke about her youth. “I started playing piano at seven. It is a gift from God. At twelve, I played eight instruments and performed for the first time. Then I decided to choose one instrument to master. Instead of several, I chose one: the piano. I knew two things for sure in my life. The first was that I would become a famous pianist. The second was that I had to find God. I knew that from a young age. I always said I would become a famous pianist.”
Sunday Morning Classic
On 16 April 2023, Chi took the stage on our highly coveted Sunday Morning Classic podium with her debut album Chi Coltrane from 1972.
Chi's debut album is timeless. Chi sounds somewhere between Carole King and Janis Joplin. With a groundbreaking voice, Coltrane guides us through uptempo blocks laden with brass and virtuosic piano and solemn ballads. This album features some of her best-known songs, which have stood the test of time with flying colours. Famous session musicians (Jim Gordon, Larry Knechtel, Lee Sklar...) helped make it a great album.
The often forgotten track is The Wheel of Life. The melancholy of this song cuts straight to the heart. I am surprised it has not been covered more. You Were My Friend is a reproachful song about someone who betrayed her trust. Go Like Elijah expresses her wish fantasy to die in biblical and theatrical style. Her words receive responses from a gospel choir. The Tree, a ballad with piano and strings, describes a spiritual connection with nature. Her voice is powerful and sensitive; her piano playing adds drive to the melodies.
"Just let me go like Elijah when I go I want to rise right up into the sky And ride white horses with fiery eyes Lord for my sins I apologise Just let me go Lord when I go When my time comes for me to go Just let me go like Elijah when I go"
Source: NPO, Wikipedia and various websites Photo: Mieremet, Rob / Anefo
