McCoy Tyner - Echoes Of a Friend

Echoes of a Friend Review

 

by Rovi Staff

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McCoy Tyner dedicated this 1972 recording of piano solos to John Coltrane. Five tunes, two by Coltrane, two by Tyner, and Rodgers & Hammerstein's "My Favorite Things," comprise the album.

On Coltrane's "Naima," Tyner enters softly in the upper register. After some orchestral piano strumming, he brings the listener into the melody. Then, using a chord as a launching pad, he takes off into a virtuoso right-hand piano break. Coming back into the melody, he uses the piano like a harp. "Promise," another Coltrane tune, starts with a Keith Jarrett-like groove, but quickly enters full-fledged McCoy Tyner territory. Sweeping into some low-register rumbling, the tune is stated in its simplest form and it's over. The 17-minute "The Discovery" starts with a gong, and immediately descends into a sweeping sonic torrent. After an outbreak of pianistic rage, there is a beautiful Debussy-like moment, spontaneous and natural. This is emotional and unrestrained music, best enjoyed if you just give in to it. It's beautiful, and innocent.

McCoy Tyner

Echoes Of a Friend       

All compositions by McCoy Tyner except where noted.

1. "Naima" (Coltrane) – 6:43
2. "Promise" (Coltrane) – 6:14
3. "My Favorite Things" (Hammerstein, Rodgers) – 8:44
4. "The Discovery" – 17:35
5. "Folks" – 7:33

• McCoy Tyner – piano 

Echoes of a Friend is a 1972 album by jazz pianist McCoy Tyner released on the JVC label, and later on the Milestone label. It was recorded in Tokyo, Japan, on November 11, 1972, and features Tyner in a solo piano tribute to John Coltrane.

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