McCoy Tyner Trio with Symphony Orchestra;What The World Needs Now: The Music Of Burt Bacharach (1997)

McCoy Tyner Trio with Symphony Orchestra;What The World Needs Now: The Music Of Burt Bacharach (1997)

McCoy Tyner (Piano)

Christian McBride (Bass)

Lewis Nash (Drums)

1-(They Long to Be) Close to You Bacharach, David 7:51

2-What the World Needs Now Is Love Bacharach, David 6:09

3-You'll Never Get to Heaven (If You Break My Heart) Bacharach, David 5:04

4-The Windows of the World Bacharach, David 5:30

5-One Less Bell to Answer Bacharach, David 5:39

6-A House Is Not a Home Bacharach, David 5:36

7-(There's) Always Something There to Remind Me Bacharach, David 4:43

8-Alfie Bacharach, David 4:26

9-The Look of Love Bacharach, David 7:10

It took a number of listenings for me to really get into this album, even though I am a HUGE McCoy Tyner fan. John Clayton did an excellent job with the orchestrations. There is a great deal of variety. It is both harmonically challenging, yet accessible. 

A big band (at least some of whom have played in McCoy's own big band)joins the orchestra on "You'll Never Get to Heaven if You Break My Heart." They get a good groove going, and my one regret is that they do not appear on more of the tracks. 

McCoy has excellent rapport with both Christian McBride on bass and Lewis Nash on drums. I'm not sure if this was his working trio at the time or if they had just gotten together for this recording. Anyway, it sounds like they had been playing together for a quite some time. 

There are times when McCoy's wordless vocals get in the way as he takes off on a solo. I used to find this a total distraction, but I am coming to appreciate the fact that it is simply a part of his music and that there is a place for it. 

McCoy's playing has become more refined, elegant, and reflective since his Milestone recordings of the 70s. I love his playing from that era, but it was time to evolve some more. That is a good thing! Here is an elder statesman of jazz who still can deliver the goods.

Mc Coy Tyner Big Band: Journey (1993)

McCoy Tyner Big Band - Journey (1993)

While this isn't among Tyner's greatest recordings, it's still a rigorous, often exciting big-band date. The repertoire includes familiar Tyner compositions "Peresina" and "Blues On The Corner," originals from trombonist Steve Turre ("Juanita") and bassist Avery Sharpe ("January In Brazil"), plus other numbers by Angel Rangelov, Dennis Mackrel and the interesting "You Taught My Heart To Sing," co-written by Tyner and legendary Broadway lyricist/tunesmith Sammy Cahn. Although Tyner doesn't play with the ferocity or unpredictable edge that's characterized his finest sessions, he solos crisply, easily moving through hard bop, Afro-Latin and even swing-oriented big band settings. There's a comfortable feel, but not a staid one.

Tracks
1 Samba Dei Ber
2 Juanita
3 Choices
4 You Taught My Heart to Sing
5 Peresina
6 Blues on the Corner
7 January in Brasil

Personnel

    McCoy Tyner: piano, arranger
    Eddie Henderson: trumpet
    Earl Gardner: trumpet
    Virgil Jones: trumpet
    Frank Lacy: trombone
    Slide Hampton; trombone (track 1)
    Steve Turre: trombone, arranger
    John Clark french horn
    Tony Underwood: tuba
    Joe Ford: alto saxophone
    Doug Harris: alto saxophone, flute
    Billy Harper: tenor saxophone
    John Stubblefield: tenor saxophone
    Ronnie Cuber: baritone saxophone (track 1)
    Avery Sharpe: bass
    Aaron Scott: drums
    Jerry Gonzalez: percussion, trumpet
    Valtinho Anastacio: percussion (track 1)
    Dianne Reeves: vocal (track 4)

Michael Brecker: Tales from the Hudson (1996)

MICHAEL BRECKER

Tales from the Hudson (1996)

Track listing

All tracks composed by Michael Brecker; except where indicated

   1. "Slings and Arrows" — 6:19
   2. "Midnight Voyage" (Joey Calderazzo) — 7:17
   3. "Song for Bilbao" (Pat Metheny) — 5:44
   4. "Beau Rivage" — 7:38
   5. "African Skies" — 8:12
   6. "Introduction to the Naked Soul" — 1:41
   7. "Naked Soul" — 8:43
   8. "Willie T." (Don Grolnick) — 8:13
   9. "Cabin Fever" — 6:59

Personnel

    * Michael Brecker — tenor saxophone
    * Pat Metheny — guitar, guitar synth
    * Joey Calderazzo — piano
    * Dave Holland — bass
    * Jack DeJohnette — drums
    * McCoy Tyner — piano (Tracks 3 and 5)
    * Don Alias — percussion


In the crowded field of excellent tenor players, Michael Brecker rises to the top of my list. I think the thing that gives Brecker an edge over the others is the fact that he is a master of so many genres of jazz. Many people are no doubt familiar with the electric, funky side of Michael Brecker as the co-leader of the Brecker Brothers and former member of Steps Ahead. He has done significant pop dates with Paul Simon, Carly Simon, and Joni Mitchell. One could easily fill a CD collection with albums on which he has performed as a sideman in many jazz contexts.

Yet this is only his fourth CD as a leader. All of them have been in the modern, progressive, straight-ahead jazz vein. This one is, to my ears, his most successful outing yet. I think the difference is that this one is a little less "progressive" or "outside." The melodies here are a little more accessible and memorable, yet the soloing is just as creative and adventuresome as we have come to expect from Brecker and the other jazz luminaries on this CD. The top-notch team of sidemen here are Pat Metheny on guitar, Jack DeJohnette on drums, Dave Holland on bass, and Joey Calderazzo on piano. Pianist McCoy Tyner and percussionist Don Alias are added on two tunes.

Six of the nine compositions are Brecker's. They are varied, thoughtful, and provide great vehicles for improvisation. Metheny contributes "Bilbao" from his Travels album, Calderazzo contributes a medium tempo swinger, and "Willie T." comes from the late pianist Don Grolnick, who produced Brecker's first two solo albums and performed with Brecker frequently.

I would especially recommend this album to those who have come to jazz through the "new adult comtemporary" door and are ready to take the next step towards discovering what real jazz is all about.