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.