I was introduced to Bill Evans by 2 people in another forum -thanks to jafant, and gprace. The first album I heard of Bill Evans, "Portraits of Jazz" and I was hooked.
Now I have over 20 of his CD albums. My most favorite from the 60s are "Explorations" and "How My Heart Sings". The recording and mastering of the CD are excellent! From the 70s, my favorites are "Quintessence" and "I Will Say Goodbye". I give Bill Evans CDs as gifts to friends I know who appreciates good music.
I am disappointed with "Undercurrent" album’s recording, the one with Jim Hall. The dynamic range seems compressed, sounds kind of like listening to AM radio. Among the Bill Evans duets, I like Cannonball Adderley and Chet Baker the best.
So glad I was introduced to Bill Evans. I was 11 when Bill Evans passed away. ....alas I never had a chance to see him in concert. |
jbhiller
start w the 1st release from Bill Evans and progress forward.
Keep me posted as you collect this outstanding catalog.
Happy Listening! |
This thread is 7 years old and I just read through it top to bottom. I think that shows I'm really enjoying the hobby--reading old stuff, looking for subjects of interest.
Great topic guys. I have to vote Waltz for Debby. Wolfe's point about the sonics and background noise in the restaurant/cafe are charming and add mood. It's hard for me to believe this was a live recording out a a small, yet now famous, venue.
Portrait is pretty well recorded--if not more perfectly than Waltz for Debby, even though WFD has a special glow to the instruments.
I have so much more Bill Evans to discovery. I'm just so glad people appreciate this guy's genius so much.
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Toss up between Portrait In Jazz and Explorations. Listening to the excellent Waltz For Debby as I type this. |
Also his Montreux Jazz Festival albums are terrific. |
"Intermodulation", with him and Jim Hall on guitar. |
Lenny, Whats up? I think mine is the only suggestion you didnt take. I feel left out :) |
I don't know, but I just bought:
BILL EVANS TRIO PORTRAIT IN JAZZ
BILL EVANS TRIO WALTZ FOR DEBBY
BILL EVANS MOON BEAMS
THE BILL EVANS TRIO HOW MY HEART SINGS
BILL EVANS INTERPLAY
Hope I like them. |
I've noticed that the Riversides (Waltz; Vanguard, esp.) seem to be preferred to the Verve or Fantasy eras here.
I'm curious how widespread these preferences are among the legions of BE fans. |
my favorite album is I will say goodbye... |
Im not sure if the conversation here is intended to be restricted to vinyl, but if not, Bill Evans The Sesjun Radio Shows is a real gem. |
For JFrech - Yes I have two separate releases. The second is Tony Bennett & Bill Evans Together Again. Released on Rhino. R2 75837. It is a terrific album. Mine is on CD and sound is pretty good. |
Waltz for Debby and Sunday at the VV |
It's gotta be Waltz for Debby, with Sunday at the Village Vanguard a close second. |
You have to give piece piece pieces with C. Adderley a listen. One of my favorites. |
Yashu, yes the Tony Bennet with Bill Evans is killer. I have that on 45. Is their a second one? what label? I'd love to track that down... |
Although this is not a single title, the Mosaic "Final Village Vanguard" box set is one of my Fav's ... |
"You Must Believe In Spring" is a good expample of excellent work he was doing in the last years before his death, both in studio and live. He always put together a super trio. I agree with posters above, lots of great stuff to choose from.
Charlie |
I met Toots a number of years ago and he told me his favorite recording was with Bill Evans. It truly is incredible. If you also like Tony Bennett his two older recordings with Bill Evans are wonderful. |
Undercurrents....and also Bill Evan's Trio at Shelly"s Manne-Hole...... |
Listening to "Quintessence" right now. Ranks right up there with the best. For a great live recording, I recommend "The Last Waltz", Bill's final recordings, with Joe LaBarbera & Marc Johnson. |
"Infinity", with Toots Theilman on harmonica, it's his most unusual and beautiful work. |
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I recently bought a new LP of "Waltz for Debby" and love it along with the LP of "Everybody Loves Bill Evans". The sound in the background of the tinkling glasses and "Madmen" era crowd yammering is cool in the Village Vanguard stuff. |
Waltz for Debby is hard to beat. Everything wiht LaFaro & Motian blows me away!
Cheers,
Spencer |
"Portrait In Jazz". The Village Vanguard albums are, of course, landmark recordings, but "Portrait..." catches the Evans/Scott LaFaro/Paul Motian trio at their first full stretch. It has the advantage of freshness and some harder swinging performances than on the Vanguard set. Unfortunately, the fine Analogue Productions mono LP has the lesser take of "Autumn Leaves", which, while still excellent, does not approach the transcendent stereo take available on other LP and CD versions. The stereo "Autumn Leaves" is one of the true miracles in the history of recorded jazz. |
I like the Analogue Productions 45 lp box set :)
I've yet to find one I don't like..."Alone" is pretty good if I had to pick one. |
