McCoy Tyner: Extensions

Jim Santella

Senior Contributor since 1997

Jim Santella has been contributing CD reviews, concert reviews and DVD reviews to AAJ since 1997. His work has also appeared in Southland Blues, The L.A. Jazz Scene, and Cadence Magazine.

Recent articles (1,677 total)

Published: January 1, 1997

Three numbers on this 1970 reissue recall the classic Coltrane quartet sound, and the fourth track goes a step further, into the spiritual late period Coltrane change. Tyner's sextet here includes Alice Coltrane's harp, Wayne Shorter's tenor and soprano, Gary Bartz' alto, Elvin Jones' drums, and Ron Carter's bass.

A powerful virtuoso, McCoy Tyner carried the legacy onward after Coltrane's death. "Message From The Nile," based on a 12-note, 2-bar motif stated initially by the saxophones of Shorter and Bartz in harmony, is repeated by each solo in turn. This was typical of John Coltrane's middle period, and the passionate solo work from everyone here is worthy of comparison. "His Blessings," on the other hand, uses the bowed bass, harp, and Shorter's flexible soprano sax voice, without any meter whatsoever, to relate a spiritual quality. Although a brief 40 minutes, this recording serves to remind us of the intense passion willed to us by the Coltrane legacy.

Record Label: Blue Note Records
Style: Straight-ahead/Mainstream