Bill Evans - Evans in England (2 LP)
- LP
- 2 piece(s)
- 2019
- 18 tracks
- 1 uur, 51 min
- jazz
Evans in England
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3.7
Average of 10 reviews
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Exploring fresh, unearthed tracks from the late jazz master Evans is always a delight—even when, like with Resonance's work here, the recording quality isn't perfect. But wow, Resonance absolutely nailed it! Frankly, it'd be enough if this just served as a historical artifact, but I'd go so far as to say it's one of Evans' most amazing live performances, which is high praise given this recording's bootleg status and Evans' vast, impressive body of work. This particular session is a significant one, capturing the quintet's sound in 1969. At this stage, Evans was in a great place creatively, having kicked his heroin habit (for a time, at least) and playing with renewed energy and passion in his newly-formed, longest-lasting trio. The cozy venue setting lets you really appreciate Gomez's rhythmic, conversational bass playing, which meshes perfectly with Morell's drumming. This is especially noticeable on "Waltz for Debby," where the trio delivers a faster, more lively version than the famous Village Vanguard recording from years before. Plus, both “The Two Lonely People” and the tender “Sugar Plum” get their debut recordings here. The excitement and chemistry among these three musicians is undeniable, making this a pure joy to listen to. Evans spent years searching for that magical sound he'd created with bassist Scott LaFaro, whose life ended far too soon. In this trio, he finds that magic once again.
I'm absolutely in love with it, the sound quality is fantastic! But, I must say, my copy looks like it's been played a lot... all four sides. Could someone lend me a hand here, please? When I listen to the start of "Waltz for Debby," I notice a pitch or tuning issue with the piano. Might be a tape speed error too... has anyone else picked up on this?
As for what's inside this live album, it showcases Bill Evans at the top of his game. His flow and creativity are truly remarkable. Musically speaking, it's a perfect 10. In my opinion, it's one of the best live performances, with an outstanding Eddy Gomez. I've read many reviews about the sound quality, but I believe they're overstated. We must remember that this is a recording done by an amateur, and it shows in the microphone placement. There are some occasional saturation issues, but overall, the sound is decent, and you can enjoy it without any major distractions. It's a far cry from the previous recording at the same venue a few years prior, also released by Resonance, which was unbearable and not worth purchasing. In this case, unless you're a very picky audiophile, the exceptional quality of the music makes this album a must-have.
I was on the fence about purchasing this due to some folks' less than stellar remarks regarding the audio and even this performance. Utter rubbish: it's a fantastic concert with a pleasant sound. If you're a fan of Bill Evans at the Village Vanguard, go ahead and grab this.
The album is set to come out on CD (and likely as a lossless digital download) on April 19, 2019. If you missed out on this 2xLP version, think about grabbing it in one of those other formats for around $20-25. That way, you're backing the label rather than the resellers trying to overcharge you, and you'll still get to enjoy the music. It might not be your go-to format, but hey, it is what it is.
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