McCoy Tyner - 2000 "McCoy Tyner with Stanley Clarke and Al Foster"

McCoy Tyner - 2000 McCoy Tyner with Stanley Clarke and Al Foster

McCoy Tyner with Stanley Clarke and Al Foster is an album by McCoy Tyner released on the Telarc label in 2000. It was recorded in April 1999 and features performances of by Tyner with Stanley Clarke and Al Foster. The Allmusic review by Richard S. Ginell states that "This is Tyner reaffirming most of his strengths: the massive tone quality, the two-handed control over the entire keyboard, and the generally uplifting attitude conveyed through the shape of his melodic invention".

No longer trying to push the envelope of innovation, Tyner settles down with a pair of experts and carves out a very nice, fairly orthodox piano trio album. This is Tyner reaffirming most of his strengths: the massive tone quality, the two-handed control over the entire keyboard, and the generally uplifting attitude conveyed through the shape of his melodic invention. He does so in a program of six originals, three standards, and one tune by Stanley Clarke, mixing modal tunes, blues, funk, ballads, and a mildly Caribbean ringer. Only once does he evoke memories of the classic John Coltrane Quartet -- not in "Trane-Like" but in "The Night Has a Thousand Eyes." Clarke takes a break from the film studios and turns in one of his rare sessions on acoustic double bass, producing solid, faultless, relatively conventional support. He doesn't leave the electric bass entirely at home, however; his funky side bumps through one of the two versions of "I Want to Tell You 'Bout That," and he exercises low-key, electric subtleties on his "In the Tradition Of" and "Caribe." Foster throws himself skillfully into every situation; he is at ease in all idioms. The sound is excellent, with each instrument, even Tyner's formidable piano, in perfect balance. 

Track listing

1. "Trane-Like" - 9:12
2. "Once Upon a Time" - 5:31
3. "Never Let Me Go" (Evans, Livingston) - 4:19
4. "I Want to Tell You 'Bout That" - 5:19
5. "Will You Still Be Mine?" (Adair, Dennis) - 6:46
6. "Goin' 'Way Blues" - 6:31
7. "In the Tradition Of" (Clarke) - 7:38
8. "The Night has a Thousand Eyes" (Bernier, Brainin) - 4:53
9. "Carriba" - 5:41
10. "Memories" - 3:43
11. "I Want to Tell You 'Bout That" [alternate take] - 5:57

All compositions by McCoy Tyner except as indicated

• Recorded at Clinton Recording Studio "B", New York, New York on April 27 & 28, 1999

Personnel

• McCoy Tyner: piano
• Stanley Clarke: bass, electric bass
• Al Foster: drums