Pianist McCoy Tyner seems to be experiencing a new creative peak at the age of 70. Spring 2008 he released a great live album with Joe Lovano. Barely six months later he releases Guitars, a collaboration with four top guitarists and banjo player Bela Fleck. On top of that he is supported by the formidable rhythm section of fellow veterans Ron Carter and Jack DeJohnette. The most famous guitarist to
… participate is John Scofield. His contribution is all about the blues, with John Coltrane's composition Mr. PC and Tyner's own Blues On The Corner. Bela Fleck contributed two pieces of her own and gives a virtuoso performance of My Favorite Things. The latter piece is of course also known from Coltrane, just like Greensleeves, which here gets a glowing rendition of slide guitarist Derek Trucks (of Allman Brothers fame). Bill Frisell plays Tyner's Contemplation and some African orientated pieces. The contribution of avant-garde guitarist Marc Ribot can be called very surprising. After providing Tyner's Passion Dance with a piece of wah guitar, he and Tyner perform some beautiful free improvisations. Guitars is a fantastic CD, which comes with a bonus DVD with an intriguing look into the studio during the recording. (HB)more