Most of Bill Evans' work is great and timeless. Much of it, like this record, transcends jazz or any other stylistic category. It is simply gorgeous, intelligent music. As some writers have said, he seemed to distill beauty and nostalgia out of thin air.
March 5, 2008 |  | Desert island, here we come |  |
This is, for me, the quintessential Bill Evans album. Bill's trio finally had settled into their groove, and man, could they swing! This has lots of classic jazz standards and despite being recorded in the early days of stereo, the sound is terrific. If you need to delve deeper into what Bill was doing at the time, The Complete Village Vanguard Recordings, 1961 is a must buy companion, but this album a cornerstone of any serious jazz collection.
January 19, 2008This is my seventh Evans recording and it is like I am getting to know him all over again. This album has energy, freshness and joy that just isn't there on later recordings. The recording quality is more than satisfactory. The group's playing is smart and engaging with a skillful balance between technical skill and understated musicality. The playfulness brought to standards like Witchcraft is a welcome contrast to many of his later more brooding works. LaFaro and Motian provide their legendary support and interplay with their typcial flair. This was definitely a high point for Evans, before drugs, bad health and personal problems got in the way. No Evans collection would be complete without this recording.
April 16, 2007The artistic greatness of Bill Evans resides in his spelling treatment of the piano. He not only plays the keyboard; he plays with the instrument and certainly he would seem to establish with it a sort of spiritual connection making of it an extension this inner thoughts and moods.
That's why there have been so many versions about his compositions and however, just a few have been able to perform and express with such kind of feeling and inspiration the core of his compositions.
This is at least to my view, the main reason I recognize in him the essence of the genius. As Midas King all what he played it was pure gold.
March 9, 2007| | | another evans album you should have. | |
bill evans is perhaps the most satisfying piano player to get into my ears. the lyrical beauty of his playing is magical for late nights spent reading and listening to music. "the village vanguard recordings" are my favorite bill evans, but this comes up a close second. buy with confidence if you love music steeped in beauty.
February 10, 2007More reviews at Amazon.com ...
