Quartet marks a new phase in McCoy Tyner s illustrious career. The album, recorded live on New Year s Eve 2006 with tenor titan Joe Lovano, bassist Christian McBride, and drummer Jeff Tain Watts, is both a retrospectiv... more »e and a projective piece. While it features some of the compositions that have shaped Tyner s career, the album is a launch for Tyner s new label, McCoy Tyner Music, and will be the first among a series of three recordings that will be released within the next year.
Just over two years ago, Tyner was taken on as the first client of Blue Note Management, a division of the Blue Note Jazz Club. The success of this partnership lead to this release, which will be on the McCoy Tyner Music (MTM) label, created for him as an imprint of the Blue Note s in-house record label, Half Note Records. Upon listening, it is immediately apparent that Quartet features a working band and not just a gathering of four all-star musicians. Additionally, the record shows that Tyner, who now carries the torch as the only surviving member of the John Coltrane Quartet, is still at the top of his game as a composer, performer, and bandleader.« less
Quartet marks a new phase in McCoy Tyner s illustrious career. The album, recorded live on New Year s Eve 2006 with tenor titan Joe Lovano, bassist Christian McBride, and drummer Jeff Tain Watts, is both a retrospective and a projective piece. While it features some of the compositions that have shaped Tyner s career, the album is a launch for Tyner s new label, McCoy Tyner Music, and will be the first among a series of three recordings that will be released within the next year.
Just over two years ago, Tyner was taken on as the first client of Blue Note Management, a division of the Blue Note Jazz Club. The success of this partnership lead to this release, which will be on the McCoy Tyner Music (MTM) label, created for him as an imprint of the Blue Note s in-house record label, Half Note Records. Upon listening, it is immediately apparent that Quartet features a working band and not just a gathering of four all-star musicians. Additionally, the record shows that Tyner, who now carries the torch as the only surviving member of the John Coltrane Quartet, is still at the top of his game as a composer, performer, and bandleader.
"I just bought "Quartet" and I can't stop listening to it. I was hesitant at first when I saw this line-up, since these guys are used to leading their own bands and have a tendency to overpower the groups they play in. Maybe it's the fact that these all-stars are being led by Tyner, who is one of the greats, but as a cohesive unit, this quartet works like magic. It reminds me of hearing Miles' bands in the 50s and 60s, where every guy could have taken the spotlight but instead backed off in favor of being an equal part of the group. This is the case on "Quartet" - Joe Lovano, Jeff "Tain" Watts, and Christian McBride play like they're proud to be in McCoy's band and sound like they've been playing together forever.
The tracks on this live date from New Year's '06 are mainly taken from the Tyner Songbook. Lovano is a real driving force alongside Tyner, and together, they re-invent classics like "Walk Spirit, Talk Spirit" and "Passion Dance." The band takes these tunes in unexpected places that surely McCoy couldn't have imagined when he first penned them decades ago. McCoy's rendition of the standard "For All We Know" is a touching end to an otherwise energetic set of tunes. Somehow, he manages to be powerful and sensitive all at the same time.
It's great to see that McCoy is finally getting the respect he deserves with his own new label, McCoy Tyner Music. Thank god someone out here is documenting his projects. Too many of the McCoy Tyner's of the world are already gone.
Bottom line: Get this record - you won't be disappointed."
He's a soul man
eliot gardenstreet | Phoenix, AZ | 11/19/2007
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Maybe McCoy's playing has been stronger on other occasions, but I'm with Linda, this is the best McCoy Tyner album I've heard in years. The rhythm section makes my whole body want to move and makes my head and shoulders rock with appreciation. Joe Lovano adds an excellent twist, and the music is bursting with passionate intensity."
Superb!!!
blue skies | 09/28/2007
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Four truly creative jazz musicians playing awesome jazz. It doesn't get any better than this! I've listened to this CD a dozen times and still can't get enough. McCoy Tyner is playing at a career high level and Joe Lovano is as well. It's all there, I wonder if there is any other material from this gig? I'd love to hear the rest..."
At The Top
Louis J. Perillo | Pensacola, Fl, USA | 12/01/2007
(5 out of 5 stars)
"I agree that this is the finest CD he's put out recently. From start to finish, it's a moving journey. I have all his recordings(now that Horizon and Looking Out have finally been released on CD), and this stands up to the best. I'd also recommend the recordings of DD Jackson to those who love Tyner(or Pullen, or Hicks, or other great composer/pianists)."
MCCOY TYNER NEVER MISS THE TARGET
K. Prousalis | drama GREECE | 04/17/2008
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Mccoy tyners does it oncemore .THIS LIVE RECORDING is among mccoy s strongest efforts.The other ones IMO are his collaboration with the LATIN ALL STARS the marvelous LA LEYENDA DE LA HORA and NEW YORK REUNION.Perhaps a sharper and more speedy saxophone tune would help better the flow of excitement but this minor point would not be able to spoil the general result so as not to give it five stars ."