Customer Reviews

Enlightenment

5 star:		(8)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

It's very easy to compare this recording to "A Love Supreme," but careful listening makes clear this is Tyner's music through and through. It attempts to recreate the spiritual intensity of the Coltrane quartet using the musical vocabulary Tyner developed in his earlier solo work (particularly his Blue Note albums "The Real McCoy" and "Extensions"). But the most remarkable thing about it is Tyner's absolute freedom at the keyboard. In his solos here we hear him stepping out of Coltrane's shadow and taking the spotlight. Much as I love his more intimate 60's dates (including his sideman work with Wayne Shorter and Joe Henderson) I haven't heard any Tyner recording that measures up to "Enlightenment." It's an absolute must for any Tyner fan or anyone interested in the legacies of the classic Coltrane era.

An amazing display of musicianship- McCoy plays some of the most intense music I have ever heard him play on this album, his set from the 1973 Montreux Jazz festival. He is supported by bassist Joony Booth (from Tony Williams' group), Alphonse Mouzon (slick player), and Azar Lawrence, who played on Miles' Live recording, "Dark Magus", about a year after this one. The shortest track is 8 minutes long, with two tracks (the Enlightenment Suite and Walk Spirit, Talk Spirit) being roughly 25 minutes apeice! Epic Tyner is all over this album; his trademark fourth stacks and blistering right hand runs are in every tune. The group interacts really well, and another nice aspect to this disc is that you get your money's worth- the concert is presented in it's entirety (about 70 minutes). This is a great album. You should also note that most of this concert is not relaxed- the players play hard for the whole album!

this disc blows my mind --it`s an amazing document ---of a live recording that sounds as exciting today as it did in montreaux 73 where the audience was obviously inspiring these guys to new heights-- from jooney booths brilliant bass playing --listen to his beautiful solo that opens up the last track -- to mouzons wonderful percussion & lawrence`s great sax work and mccoy`s raging piano--this disc is a veritable force of nature captured on disc--a real beauty !

1. Presenting the Mccoy Tyner Quartet 1:19
2. Enlightenment Suite, Pt. 1 - Genesis 10:02
3. Enlightenment Suite, Pt. 2: The Offering 4:36
4. Enlightenment Suite, Pt. 3 - Inner Glimpse 10:04
5. Presence 10:35
6. Nebula 9:39
7. Walk Spirit, Talk Spirit - Introduction 24:04

McCoy Tyner, piano, percussion
Azar Lawrence, tenor & soprano sax
Joony Booth, bass
Alphonse Mouzon, drums

McCoy Tyner was really doing something great in the '70s. While many musicians were going "fusion," (not to say that fusion is invalid), McCoy took what he learned from playing with John Coltrane and put his personal touch on it. What resulted was some of the best music of the decade. Enlightenment, from 1973, is a perfect example of McCoy Tyner in his prime.

"The Enlightenment Suite" is often compared to John Coltrane's A Love Supreme. Some have said that McCoy was trying too hard to re-create the legendary 1964 masterpiece and could never measure up to it. But why would he feel the need to do that? He took part in creating A Love Supreme! Basically, he had already achieved greatness by 1964, so I hardly believe that Enlightenment was his way of copying John Coltrane. After all, that would just be copying himself, as he was an integral part of Coltrane's group for 5 years. McCoy had become a Muslim in the '60s and was becoming a very spiritual person by the early '70s. His music was starting to reflect his spiritual beliefs, at least more so than his '60s recordings as a leader. His playing style changed, or rather developed, and his writing style was all his own. McCoy Tyner really was (and still is) a very singular artist.

What a wonderful album this is. Every note played here is sincere and straight from the heart. McCoy, Azar Lawrence (sax), Joony Booth (bass), and Alphonse Mouzon (drums) work wonderfully together and really complement each other's playing.

Although everyone is so satisfying on this record, I especially enjoy Azar's playing. Every saxophonist who has ever played with McCoy Tyner has been compared in one way or another to Coltrane, which is unfair. That is like comparing a person to God. I'm not saying that Coltrane was God; I just don't think that anyone will ever be able to measure up to him. He was just on a whole other level that is almost unreachable. Azar's voice on this album is very supportive and strong, and he doesn't overplay. This is the only album I've heard him play on so far, but I can tell that he definitely has his own style. Joony Booth and Alphonse Mouzon are awesome as well.

Enlightenment... A landmark in McCoy Tyner's long career.

A terrific live recording of a dream quartet. What a set ! Walk Spirit, Talk Spirit steals the show though. It's a soul jazz masterpiece and really displays the depths of Tyner's conception.

I picked up this album by chance. I didnt have any previous experience with McCoy Tyner and decided this looked interesting. To be honest, it was the cover photo that caught my attention, but I think it is appropriate. Sometimes the process of being enlightened is difficult and painful.

Anyway, I was blown away by the entire cd, especially the last track. I am primarily a jazz fan, but I enjoy a little of everything. This album contains some strong fusion influences which I really love.

I would recommend this album highly. However, I will tell you its not what you might call easy listening--listening to these tunes requires your full attention!

i have waited 20 years for this to come out on cd and so worth it! I now keep it as my special treat to myself to be enjoyed on a super stereo - audio heaven!

This album has many moments of simply incredible piano playing. It is one of McCoy's most overwhelmingly brilliant recordings. It also has perhaps his catchiest tune ever, Walk Spirit Talk Spirit.

I have to agree, on the whole, with space_antelope (!) below. I don't think this record is as consistently inspired as many other Tyner albums. Tyner is in his own unremitting 'sheets of sound' phase at this point (also captured on the more satisfying, because more dynamic, solo record ECHOES OF A FRIEND), seemingly more interested in playing as many notes as possible than making them count. This is a problem with a lot of early 70s Tyner, although he had got it out of his system by mid-decade. HORIZON (recently remastered) in particular, from 1979, is a masterpiece on par with his Blue Note triumphs THE REAL MCCOY and TENDER MOMENTS. That later music is just as virtuosic as this, but it breathes more.

I find the 'Enlightenment Suite' pretty compelling, especially the 'Fire Waltz'-like opening section - although the solo portion is hard to follow (and seems to recycle ideas from the second-to-last track on ECHOES OF A FRIEND). The suite features good, if inevitably Trane-like, work on soprano and tenor from Azar Lawrence. The middle cuts on the album are more routine, though - a themeless blues, a percussion showpiece - and Lawrence often sounds lost. The finale, 'Walk Spirit, Talk Spirit,' builds on a wonderfully wistful and reflective bass solo from Joony Booth, but eventually turns into a knockoff of 'Oye Como Va' (!!). It redeems itself with a sweeping conclusion.

First of all, I must start off by saying that the recording quality is the only thing that diminishes this record's appeal. McCoy Tyner is a great musician and I wouldn't expect the music itself to be lagging. If you enjoy "A Love Supreme" and want something in the same style, this will make a good addition to your collection, but you will need to get over the quality of the recording.