Bill Evans Trio › The Solo Sessions, Volume 1

Solo performer: Bill Evans (piano).

Recorded at Sound Makers Studio, New York, New York on January 10, 1963. Includes liner notes by Orrin Keepnews.

Personnel: Bill Evans (piano).

Liner Note Author: Orrin Keepnews.

Recording information: Sound Makers Studio, New York, NY (01/10/1963).

Photographer: Phil Bray.

This is a solo piano session from jazz piano icon Evans, recorded in January 1963 but not released until 1989. This is a set of standards & show tunes: "What Kind of Fool Am I," "'Spartacus' Love Theme," When I Fall in Love," the Miles Davis tune "Nardis," "My Favorite Things." Whether or not his personal problems had an impact on his playing is hard to say. Not that he plays poorly--he plays well. But this is Evans at his most haunted and introspective--the sound of a man nearing the end of his own rope. There is a spare, harrowing quality of this album that is hard to ignore--or forget. Not the best place to begin with Evans, but if you're already a fan, this is one to treasure.

Genre:

• Jazz

Music Categories:

• Jazz Instrument: Piano