McCoy's Masterpiece
Phillip J. Crawford | San Francisco, CA USA | 10/10/2004
(5 out of 5 stars)
"McCoy Tyner is one of the most important pianists in jazz history. His 40+ year career is remarkable for its diversity and consistent high quality. I consider this recording his crowning achievement. Not only is "Echoes of a Friend" my favorite Tyner recording, I consider it to be one of the finest solo piano recordings I have ever heard. This is not easy listening music. If you like Kenny G., this is not for you. This is intense, passionate music played by a virtuoso musician. Think "Art Tatum meets Igor Stravinsky" and you'll have some idea what this CD is like. Along with Coltrane's "First Meditations (for Quartet)," this is some of the most astonishing spiritual/religious music ever recorded. (And this is coming from an atheist!) Buy this CD, turn out the lights, lie down with your head between the speakers, and prepare to have your consciousness altered."