Really, all I have to say is the word McCoy and you can already imagine what is coming next. Talk about the place to be. I was so excited because this was my first time at the world famous Yoshi’s. Generally, most players who shoot through Yoshi’s on a west coast tour usually make their stop in Los Angeles as well. This is also true with McCoy. He will be in Los Angeles this week with Bobby Hutcherson.
I saw Bobby at the gig. He was leaving the first set and on his way to dinner. That brotha is one of the greatest guys in the business. A master talent and full of love. One of the nicest guys you ever want to meet!
I took a peek at the room and it was beautiful. The room and the stage filled with vibrant colors and the walls graced with classic photos of today’s and yesterday’s masters.
I was one of the first in the room and it filled quickly to a sold out crowd. It was nice to look around the room and check out all of the real supporters of straight ahead jazz. After ordering my sushi, it was time for the magic to begin!
The band was introduced one by one and first on stage was my man Eric Harlan, drummer extraordinaire. Followed by Charnett Moffett on Bass, Ravi Coltrane on Soprano and Tenor, Pharoah Saunders on Tenor and last the legend, McCoy Tyner. Three direct descendants of Trane with backup from a super strong rhythm section, the fans at Yoshi’s were in for straight ahead jazz it its finest.
The first tune was one written by Trane call “The Promise”. As soon as McCoy touched the keys you knew that you were in for a nice ride. The clarity of the sound really came alive when Charnett started playing with such ease and precision. Pharoah joined in on Tenor playing with passionate raw sounds running the gamut from honk and squeals of screams of creative wonder. Ravi, waiting patiently, steps in switching the sound from one tight pocket to another with Soprano.
Article comments
1 - HW Saxton Jr.
Great review. Tyner is unstoppable when
on top of his game. The last few years
his live performances have been wildly
uneven though. I don't see how he could
not be propelled to play his best with
Pharoah blowing alongside Ravi.WOW!
I saw him in Seattle at Jazz Alley about
3 or 4 years ago and his first set was a
washout.No energy at all.Half the crowd
beelined for the door immediately after
the set.He came back out for his 2nd set
and did a 30 minute take on "Naima" that
was so f'ing intense. He tore the tune
apart and put it back together again in
ways that ALMOST made you forget Trane.
Almost.
2 - LeRoy
Yes, I do find that sometimes the masters in this jazz game look upon thir performances as just another gig and sometimes they are on fire!
The Eye of the Tiger was some time ago. Some keep it and develope it and some play at a comfort zone. As Forrest Gump would say.....
LeRoy
3 - godoggo
I've noticed that 1st sets tend to be a washout for a lot of jazz musicians. I think this has less to do with any lack of integrity than with the difficulty of wooing the fickle muse. Also, many (not all) musicians naturally slow down as they get older. Often they alter their conceptions accordingly, emphasizing the subtlety that they lacked in their fiery youth. I don't think this is the case with Mcoy, though, leastwise based on the recordings I've heard (I haven't seen him).
Incidentally, one of my favorite Tyner performances was Coltrane's Ballads album, and it is unique among the ones I've heard. I wonder where else he might have played so delicately and melodiously?
4 - LeRoy
There is an album, or disc, by McCoy Tyner called Extentions which is absolutely one of the most beautiful pieces of music that I have heard to this day.
Here is the amozon link
http://www.amazon.co.uk/exec/obidos/ASIN/B000005H3D/wwwlink-software-21/202-9195329-4297448
Enjoy
LeRoy Downs
5 - Shark
I second Saxton's remarks about the band; what a friggin' lineup!
Aside: "Thembi" was the second jazz album I bought when I was a kid. And I worshipped McCoy, not just the Trane years, but post-trane solo work, various bands, and especially with Elvin Jones on drums.
A Quick Story: I saw McCoy in San Fran in 1976 -- and I've gone blank on the name of the club. (I was in SF with an avant garde music/performance group as part of an exchange program DFW/SFO (dallas-fort worth/SFOakland). We'd driven a couple of vans full of equipment straight thru, tex to sf without stopping. I crashed and burned at the hotel, woke up to find all my bandmates had split without me, taking the only wheels. I took a walk, stumbled onto the club, and spent the night drinking with Airto and listening to Tyner. When I got back to the hotel, I asked what they'd done;
"We went and got something to eat. And where've you been?"
"I was hanging with Airto and listening to McCoy Tyner."
Heh. Serves the fuckers right for leaving me.
Karma, baby.
6 - LeRoy
McCoy Still deserves to be worshiped. His playing is phenominal and he has been on that level ever since he has been playing.
Airto is one of the sweetest and coolest cat as well. I have seen a number of shows and hung out with Airto, Flora and their daughter Deanna who has her own band called Eyedentity. I do have an article on Airto as well. Check it out at www.thejazzcat.net.
LeRoy Downs