To mark the recent passing of pianist McCoy Tyner, the subject of our last post, the track for today is ‘Greeting To Saud (Brother McCoy Tyner)’ from the live album Elevation by tenor saxophonist Pharoah Sanders, released in 1974 on Impulse! records.
The 1970s was a time of rejuvenation for Impulse! as they released spiritual and avant-garde jazz by artists such as Alice Coltrane, Albert Ayler, Marion Brown, Archie Shepp and Pharoah Sanders, many of whom were disciples of John Coltrane, building on the modal and freer approach to jazz Coltrane had been exploring throughout the 60s.
Sanders began his career playing with the cosmic jazz pioneer Sun Ra and his Arkestra, and in 1965 appeared on Coltrane’s albums Ascension and Meditations. He went on to become a key player in Coltrane’s final quintet, bringing a youthful energy to Coltrane’s group with his intense, chaotic and fiery approach to soloing. Many critics at the time dismissed Sanders playing as abrasive and unmusical noise but Sanders is now recognised as having greatly influenced Coltrane’s later style. As saxophonist Albert Ayler once observed: “Trane was the Father, Pharoah was the Son, I am the Holy Ghost.”
‘Greeting To Saud (Brother McCoy Tyner)’, the sole studio track on the album, is a serene composition and a tranquil counterpoint to the album’s intense 18 minute opener ‘Elevation’. The track is incredibly atmospheric with pianist Joe Bonner playing a soulful, bluesy motif over a shimmering bed of bells, shakers and other percussion, and the deep, hypnotic drones of the tambura (a long-necked string instrument from India) played by Calvin Hill. The resulting effect is a rich soundscape that is both peaceful and meditative. It is a shame the track is only four minutes long as I could listen to it for hours on end.
Hip hop producer Madlib has cited Joe Bonner as his favourite jazz pianist and it’s easy to understand why. Bonner’s lyrical and deeply emotive style is particularly moving, which was no doubt a contributing factor in Madlib chopping up this track for rapper M.E.D.’s ‘Special’, offering a rough and rugged perspective on this spiritual gem.
Find this track and many more soothing musical offerings in our ‘In A Tranquil Mood’ playlist, and while you’re there, have a listen to our ‘Kings Of The Keys’ playlist for more beautiful music from McCoy Tyner and Joe Bonner!
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