Search - Bill Evans :: Loose Blues

Evans the composer

N. Dorward | Toronto, ON Canada | 10/09/2000

(3 out of 5 stars)

"This album has a peculiar history. It was recorded in the early 1960s for Riverside, but was only released after Evans' death. The album features a stellar band--Zoot Sims, Jim Hall, Ron Carter and Philly Joe Jones--and, most intriguingly, the tunes are all originals, none of which except "Time Remembered" entered Evans' regular repertoire. The results were, however, less than satisfactory: the tunes were so difficult that no useable takes were made of more than a few, so most of the tunes are heard here in composite versions pieced together from multiple takes.The resulting album is a good but not great Evans disc; the seams don't show too obviously but the tensions & problems in the studio are indeed sometimes audible, & some of the trickier tunes receive tentative performances. However, there's of course much that's excellent on the disc--I might point to "Time Remembered", the first version of the tune Evans ever recorded (& one of the few tunes on the disc which is presented in one unedited take). All the tunes are of great interest--"Loose Bloose" for instance carries the contrapuntal experiments of the earlier "Interplay" to even greater lengths--& the fact that they were rarely recorded by Evan elsewhere makes this disc especially valuable.So: a worthwhile disc but not quite Evans at his best. It is nonetheless worth a listen."

Do not overlook this gem!

Joel S. Schneider | San Francisco | 02/21/2007

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I have been a great fan of Bill Evans since 1962. He is in my and many people's estimation the classiest, most refined, emotional and original of jazz pianists since Bud Powell. I have the majority of his recordings. For years I passed this one by because I heard the session had been difficult and somewhat troubled. I assumed, like the Evans/Getz collaboration, that it was a case of great talents that on that particular day just didn't gell. I finally broke down and purchased it - boy was I in for a pleasant surprize! This is a wonderful, unique recording that I have listened to over and over again and have only grown to love more each time. By 1962 standards these were certainly difficult compositions for improvization but their emotional depth, originality and uniquely Evans perspective sound fresh and inspired to modern ears. The wonderful combination of master soloists, each with his own voice, is a lyrical joy. Wait no longer - hear it for yourself."

Loose Blues : an outstanding band perfomance

Joel S. Schneider | 10/22/1999

(5 out of 5 stars)

"One of the best quintets around,all times! The confluence of Bill Evans,Jim Hall and Zoot Simms at the melodic section has produced an outstanding perfomance! Don't miss it! Luis Muñoz -Argentina-"