McCoy Tyner • Nights of Ballads and Blues

 

Review by Stephen Cook
As the title implies, this McCoy Tyner release is a low-key, after-hours affair. Far removed from the intensity of work with then-boss John Coltrane, Tyner stretches out on a fine mix of standards and bebop classics. The pianist, of course, always had his own fleet and rich way with ballads, in spite of the galvanizing marathon solos he became known for on live dates and his later experimental recordings with Coltrane. His ballad style is even touched with a bit of sentimentality, which thankfully is kept in check by a bevy of tasteful lines. Backed by the topnotch rhythm tandem of bassist Steve Davis and drummer Lex Humphries, Tyner finds the room to develop classic statements on highlights like Monk's "'Round Midnight," Ellington and Strayhorn's "Satin Doll," and Parker's "Star Eyes." On more easeful tracks like "For Heaven's Sake," Tyner utilizes his block chord approach to meditative and romantic effect. Rounded out by solid blues sides like "Blue Monk" and Tyner's own "Groove Waltz," Nights of Ballads & Blues qualifies as one of the pianist's most enjoyable early discs.
https://www.allmusic.com/album/nights-of-ballads-blues-mw0000205692

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Reseña de Stephen Cook
Como el titulo indica, este disco de McCoy Tyner es un asunto de bajo perfil y de trasnoche. Lejos de la intensidad del trabajo con el entonces jefe John Coltrane, Tyner se extiende en una fina mezcla de estándares y clásicos del bebop. El pianista, por supuesto, siempre tuvo su propia forma de interpretar las baladas, a pesar de los maratonianos solos con los que se dio a conocer en directo y en sus posteriores grabaciones experimentales con Coltrane. Su estilo de balada está incluso tocado con un poco de sentimentalismo, que afortunadamente se mantiene a raya gracias a un puñado de líneas de buen gusto. Respaldado por el tándem rítmico de primera categoría formado por el bajista Steve Davis y el batería Lex Humphries, Tyner encuentra el espacio para desarrollar declaraciones clásicas en temas destacados como "'Round Midnight" de Monk, "Satin Doll" de Ellington y Strayhorn, y "Star Eyes" de Parker. En temas más tranquilos como "For Heaven's Sake", Tyner utiliza su enfoque de acordes en bloque con un efecto meditativo y romántico. Completado con sólidos temas de blues como "Blue Monk" y el propio "Groove Waltz" de Tyner, Nights of Ballads & Blues es uno de los primeros discos más agradables del pianista.
https://www.allmusic.com/album/nights-of-ballads-blues-mw0000205692

 

Tracklist:
1. Satin Doll
2. We'll Be Together Again
3. Round Midnight
4. For Heaven's Sake
5. Star Eyes
6. Blue Monk
7. Groove Waltz
8. Days of Wine And Roses

Credits:
McCoy Tyner (piano)
Steve Davis (bass)
Lex Humphries (drums)

1963

 

 

 

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