Alone (Again) - Bill Evans

Advantages: Moving, beautiful harmonies and solos.
Disadvantages: Not everyone likes jazz

...Over the years my taste in different jazz styles has changed, but Bill Evans still stands out as one of my favourite musicians; the artist who originally enticed me into the world of Jazz, and whose work has significantly affected my own style as a Jazz pianist. Recoded in 1981, ‘You Must Believe Ins Spring’ contains pieces of a less upbeat and syncopated style than that of his earlier work, and instead more flowing, beautiful pieces, played with the heart-felt lyricism for which Evans is renowned. Sticking to a jazz trio form, (piano with drums and double bass), Evan’s creates the perfect atmosphere in each piece through subtle textures and natural, unspoken collaboration with his fellow musicians. Being a huge fan of Evans I may appear somewhat biased in his favour; the album is after all one my favourite. But anyone who has some... Read review

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Advantages: Good
Disadvantages: Bad

...such a mystique — if it was possible, it wouldn't have mystique — but surely much of it has to do with the exceptional band playing at the peak of its power. After all, this is hardly Miles' show alone. Pianist Bill Evans was instrumental in pushing Davis toward modal music, and tenor saxophonist John Coltrane was eager to follow. Those three are joined by Cannonball Adderly on alto sax, Jimmy Cobb on drums, and the incomparable bassist Paul Chambers (pianist Wynton Kelly sits in for Evans on "Freddie Freeloader"). As Evans said in the original liner notes for the record, the band did not play through any of these pieces prior to recording. Davis laid out the themes and chords just before the tape rolled, and then the band improvised through each composition. Improvisation had always been a large part of jazz, but this kind of preplanned, unrehearsed... Read review

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Advantages: It will blow your mind
Disadvantages: It will disturb your complacency

...Earl Anderza and I were cell mates in San Francisco City Prison in July of 1970. As I was the only other person in there who loved jazz & knew musicians and since we were probably the only two guys in that cell block with IQs higher than the temperature of the over-crowded air, we became friends, At that time, even though I had been a denizen of Jazz clubs in San Francisco (from the Blackhawk where I saw Horace Silver for the first time in 1960 or 61, when I was 16, from behind the screen that segregated people under 21 from those who were old enough to drink; to the 181 Club after hours; Jack's on Sutter for Sunday Morning Jams) , in LA (Shelly's MannHole where I came every night for a week each to hear Mose Allison & Bill Evans play two sets); in New York (Thanks to a beautiful woman who had flown me from California to hear Bobby Short... Read review

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