McCoy Tyner "Guitars"

[Peterdubya]

any thoughts?

[Tom Marcello]

Well Peter, I have only heard a couple of tracks, but I'm a little underwhelmed.

I've heard the Sco and the Trucks tracks.
Sco sounds a little like B.B. King on Blues on the Corner, though!

I need to listen to more, to be honest.

[Mike Schwartz]

This set comes as a CD & DVD set, and having watched the DVD first, really influenced how I feel about the project, which is that I love it!

In recent years, observing the transition of the combination of aging and health problems, this project illuminates and celebrates McCoy aging gracefully (not the intent of the makers, but my observation)

There's a lot to like here.
The Sco tracks are good.
Frisell is wonderful.....a combination of the expected flexibility along with reverence and respect.
I like the Trucks contribution also; pleasant enough kind of 'low risk' on the guitarists part.
Mark Rebot's contributions are decent too, with the exception of Tyner's "Passion Dance" which is a real clunker, IMO.
The meeting that bares the most fruit on this album to me is the collaboration with Bela Fleck. The sound of Bela's banjo in combination with the way McCoy voices is a great marriage.I'd love to see a McCoy/Fleck CD entirely. The musicians show obvious love for what they did together on the DVD, after one of Bela's compostions concludes Jack DeJohnette answer to "What do you think?" by Bela, is a simple and definitive "NEXT!", along with a very happy, satisfied, and complementary McCoy.

I'm probably not the only long term Tyner fan who has wondered how an aging and slowing McCoy will carry on, and how. The answer is pleasing to both see and hear.

[BlueMiles]

I like the album a good deal.

Tyner has the most experience (on record, at least) with Scofield, and they really sound good together, especially on the smoking "Mr. P.C." I'm always a fan of Frisell, and they make a fine pairing, especially on "Contemplation." Bela...good stuff. I even like Ribot's version of "Passion Dance," which is a tune that is almost impossible to ruin.

Yeah, I wouldn't mind Tyner doing a whole CD with Scofield or Frisell. Really with any of them. I'm really enjoying this. Also, and quite importantly, Tyner's own playing sounds better here than on his last album. He is still keeping the solos rather brief, and the guitarists domiante almost every track. But when you hear McCoy's hands upon the keys , it is the real deal, that vintage and utterly distinctive sound. True, he's no longer as muscular as in his prime, but that's to expected when you get to his age.

[Bill Barton]

I think that the collection is a "keeper" too. My take on it is somewhat different than Mike's. Personally, I don't particularly care for the tracks with Bela Fleck, which seem a tad bit boring, but actually like "Passion Dance," warts and all, as well as the other Ribot pieces. The ones with Sco and Frisell are very fine indeed. And Butch Trucks sounds good too; the bluesy, jamband-ish feel of his meeting with Tyner makes for a nice contrast.

[Ron Thorne]

If I'm not entirely misspoken, it seems as if folks such as Mike Schwartz and Bill Barton enjoy the benefit of hearing a recording such as this as a complimentary part of their experience . . . with no charges, ever.

That's a wonderful thing, which most of us never experience.

[BlueMiles]

I was intrigued by the idea of who McCoy selected for the record. I could see Scofield, whom he worked with in the past, and Frisell has proven he can play with any jazz giant. The others are pretty surprising. Aside from Trucks, the guitarists are not youngsters; but they do represent a different generation.

I've always wanted to hear Tyner with some of the great mainstream guitarists of his day, like Kenny Burrell and Jim Hall.

But, to say the least, I love the results of the meeting on this new disc.

[Bill Barton]

Originally Posted by Ron Thorne

If I'm not entirely misspoken, it seems as if folks such as Mike Schwartz and Bill Barton enjoy the benefit of hearing a recording such as this as a complimentary part of their experience . . . with no charges, ever.

That's a wonderful thing, which most of us never experience.

Good point, Ron... In fact, at "another forum" the whole issue of review copies was discussed and consensus seemed to be that this should be made obvious upfront if someone is discussing a new release. Whether this fact colors one's take on a particular recording is of course completely subjective. It's hard to say. When you sift through massive quantities of generally mediocre stuff to get to the gems it could be argued that the gems are all the more obvious. But when I think back on the recordings of 2008 that - if I had the money - I'd fork over full price to grab I can think of only two, and the Tyner isn't on that "short list."

[Ron Thorne]

To be clear, I wasn't leveling any charges or passing judgment on you or Mike, Bill.

I enjoyed promo copies of albums at one point in my life, which certainly allowed me the opportunity to hear many recordings I could never have heard or afforded. To date myself, those were the days when we spun vinyl on turntables at radio stations.

[Mike Schwartz]

Originally Posted by Ron Thorne

To be clear, I wasn't leveling any charges or passing judgment on you or Mike, Bill.

I enjoyed promo copies of albums at one point in my life, which certainly allowed me the opportunity to hear many recordings I could never have heard or afforded. To date myself, those were the days when we spun vinyl on turntables at radio stations.

....or the author of this thread, who asked for opinions based on listening to his (probably) promo copy & booked McCoy Trio w/Mark Ribot to the world famous/class venue to play in November!

Awaiting your take P_dubya.......

[Bill Barton]

Clarification noted, Ron. No, I didn't think that you were passing judgment. I too remember the days of slip-cues and Scully monster reel-to-reels that probably weighed as much as a Caddy. Actually, KBCS recently finally pulled their vintage vinyl out of storage, so some LPs are set for a spin or two on-the-air, that's for sure. No slip-cues though...

[Peterdubya]

For the most part, I like the CD, my favorite tracks are the ones with Trucks, Sco sounds great, being a Fleck fan, I like his too.... the most controversial tracks seem to be the Ribot ones..... I didn't like PAssion Dance at first listening, but it's grown on me, I love the first track, it's out and interesting.

THis was recorded some time ago, and I understand that McCoy has gotten stronger since then.

I look forward to the gig.