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McCoy Tyner: McCoy Tyner: Extensions

By Jim Santella
January 1, 1997
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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.

Track Listing

Message From The Nile; The Wanderer; Survival Blues; His Blessings.

Personnel

McCoy Tyner

piano

Alice Coltrane

piano

Gary Bartz

saxophone, alto

Wayne Shorter

saxophone

Ron Carter

bass

Elvin Jones

drums

Album information

Title: Extensions | Year Released: 1972 | Record Label: Blue Note

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