Bill Evans - Bill Evans Alone

Few notes but played well

Few words for whom I consider the best jazz piano player ever. Few notes but full of significance, something like Simenon in his writings, few words but enough to make understand all the characters, situations and so on. December 15, 2008

Fine, beathtaking recordings

I agree that this may be the best solo jazz piano album there is. Some of the tunes start out slow, but the improvisation and energy are incredible when Evans gets going, and the rhythmic and melodic invention he exhibits are unique and awe inspiring. I have been listening to this album for 20 years, and it never fails to move me. An absolute must have for anyone interested in jazz piano. March 4, 2008

All alone.Right from the heart Bill Evans (Solo Piano)

'Here's That Rainy Day'(Johnny Burke-Jimmy Van Heusen)
'A Time For Love'(Paul Francis Webster-Johnny Mandel)
'Midnight Mood'(Joe Zawinul/Ben Raleigh)
'On A Clear Day You Can See Forever'(Alan Jay Lerner/Burton Lane)
'Never Let Me Go'(Raymond Evans/Jay Livingston)
Medley-''All the The Things You Are(Kern-Hammerstein)/'Midnight Mood'(Joe Zawinul/Ben Raleigh)
(Alt Take) 'Never Let Me Go'(Paul Francis Webster/Johnny Mandel)

Bill Evans,alone at Town Hall with a perfectly tuned piano and no audience.A very unique situation especially with a high-caliber player.It creates an entirely different atmosphere for the performer and the aura,I believe,brings something that you wouldn't hear in a standard player/audience situation.Of all the Bill Evans I've listened to over the years,there is something special about this recording.What a touch.Superb melodic and harmonic invention.What a creative mind.He has many,many followers,as all the greats usually do.There is a fascinating series on 'you tube',a compilation of interviews by of all people his brother Harry,also a pianist and teacher,is the interviewer.It's
brother to brother.Talk about true brothers!.Highly recommended.Bro Harry and Bill simply discuss the the 'ins and out' of how to learn,teach,and create your own approach and it is a unique pleasure to hear Bill,a very astute thinker and well-spoken man share his thoughts and comments.The Universal Mind of Bill Evans is the title of the series.We have the great wit and wisdom of Steve Allen who appears intermittently to 'keep all the ducks in a row'.Alot of fun.Enjoy.

September 10, 2007

Piano Genius

The other night, I was sitting on my deck sipping some cheap wine as I sometimes do when the cash starts running out. The wind was blowing and I could hear the wrestling of the bamboo swaying right and left against a smoldering sky streaked with pink, orange and violet. A ribbed candle sat on the patio table with the flame flickering in and out. I was physically and mentally exhausted that day and in the background I could hear some jazz piano music that was playing on a old Panasonic stereo system I purchased almost 20 years ago at Circuit City. It's just about on its last knees, then I remembered a friend suggested that I play this CD. There is only one thing to say.......There are jazz piano players and then there is Bill Evans. I know that he died in 1980, but if his physical presence was ever with me on that deck, believe me I would have taken him. March 31, 2007

Excellent

This was my first exposure to Evans' solo work, in fact to anything led by him. Bill Evans in his solo work evades the typical ultimatum between stride style left hand and booie woogie left hand, playing straight up chords instead and often echoing the right hand melody with his left. He also maintains a certain evenness and serenity through his melodic choices, and for these reasons the album feels less exhausting than some other jazz greats' solo albums; the others are great indeed, but I could easily listen to this album multiple times in succession. March 8, 2007

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