Burning Dervish

This is the first McCoy record I ever purchased. Man, a heavy introduction to his work as a bandleader...

"...Fly with the Wind gave Tyner a rare opportunity to write for strings. Joined by bassist Ron Carter, drummer Billy Cobham, flutist Hubert Laws, piccolo, oboe, harp, six violins, two violas and two cellos, Tyner performed four of his originals (including the title cut) plus the standard "You Stepped Out of a Dream."...Tyner's orchestral piano blended with the strings very well."

- All Music Guide

From producer Orin Keepnews' notes on the "Keepnews Collection" reisuue:

"Although I had been very much impressed by his work with [John Coltrane], listening to [McCoy Tyner] in New York clubs in the years that followed made me aware of how remarkably he was developing. He was, and still remains, one of the most powerful pianists I have ever heard; many years ago having learned to merge that strength with a very personal form of lyricism—an unusual, unique combination. To me, it is this linking of power and beauty—in both the writing and the playing here—that distinguishes Fly With the Wind and makes it possibly my personal favorite among the 17 albums that I worked on with this extraordinary artist during our eight years together at Milestone."

That, to me, really is the essence of McCoy and has been a common theme in these posts: McCoy's "power and beauty". Dig it in action:

McCoy Tyner: Salvadore de Samba
from Fly with the Wind