McCoy Tyner - Things Ain't What They Used To Be (1990)

A relaxing album of (mostly) standards on (mostly) solo piano. John Scofield plays guitar on tracks 3, 4, and 6 while George Adams adds tenor sax to the final two tracks. Released on the Blue Note label; recorded at Merkin Hall, NYC, November 2, 1989 (solos), and November 27, 1989 (duets). A perfect album with a cup of coffee on a cool, spring Sunday morning. It's almost like having Tyner playing piano in your living room.

Press of the time:

• Stereo Review: "Tyner's finest album in years, perhaps his best ever."
• Billboard: "Tyner's 88-key artistry has never been more poignant or swinging"
• The Rolling Stone Jazz & Blues Album Guide (1999): ★★★½
• The Virgin Encyclopedia of Jazz (1999): ★★★

Peak on the US Billboard Top 200 chart: Did not chart
Peak on Billboard Top Jazz albums chart: #9

Tracks:

1. The Greeting - 2:26
2. Naima (John Coltrane) - 3:42
3. I Mean You (Coleman Hawkins & Thelonious Monk) - 4:57
4. Here's That Rainy Day (Johnny Burke & Jimmy Van Heusen) - 6:02
5. Things Ain't What They Used to Be (Mercer Ellington & Ted Persons) - 3:52
6. Joy Spring (Clifford Brown) - 4:21
7. Lush Life (Billy Strayhorn) - 5:34
8. Song for My Lady - 6:28
9. Sweet and Lovely (Gus Arnheim, Jules LeMare & Harry Tobias) - 3:56
10. What's New? (Johnny Burke & Bob Haggart) - 3:53
11. Search For Peace - 6:09
12. Blues On The Corner - 6:25
13. My One And Only Love (Robert Mellin & Guy Wood) - 8:00

I prefer the solo piano stuff, but of the duets, give me Joy Spring and My One And Only Love.

Personal Memory Associated with this CD: None. A relatively recent pickup from the used bins at Hogwild Records.