Search - Bill Evans :: Since We Met

The most pianistic of Evans releases

Michael Hardin | South Duxbury, Vermont United States | 07/02/2006

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Much has been made of the first great trio led by pianist Bill Evans, the one with bassist Scott LaFaro and drummer Paul Motian. Indeed, this trio revolutionized the piano trio format, using bass as an equal melodic and rhythmic contribution. With LaFaro's death, though, the Evans trio backed off a bit from this approach, especially in the days with Chuck Israels in the bass chair. When Eddie Gomez joined in the late 60s, however, the level of interplay between piano and bass was brought back, though to a lesser extent, and in Philly Joe Jones, Evans had a drummer who could be a third contributing voice. This group unfortunately did not last, but Marty Morell, the drummer on the present album, was a very competent and complimentary drummer to Evans' and Gomez's interlocking lyricism.



In many ways, this album is more conservative than those albums from the groups where interplay was stressed. But in the place of amazing interaction is absolutely brilliant work from the leader; it seems like Evans was at his most pianistic when the rest of the band took a back seat. This album is like that, and though it wasn't the most groundbreaking (in fact if anything it was behind the times, recorded during the height of jazz-rock-fusion) it is one of the most beautiful. Evans' choice of tunes for this live set at the Village Vanguard is a stunning mix of gorgeous standards and originals. Most tunes feature rubato piano introductions that showcase how brilliant a pianist Evans was, and his presence is more commanding here than in anything he recorded before, including the classic Vanguard release with Scott LaFaro. Then when the band comes in, we get to hear the three swing with the best of them. Eddie Gomez is perhaps the most lyrical of all bass players; he has fluid technique and something about his tone and use of range pushes his soloing beyond the level of most bass solos. My favorite tune here is definitely Joe Zawinul's "Midnight Mood."



Bill Evans' success as an artist lies in how he was always able to be creative and interesting while remaining totally accessible to anyone. The music here will never be sonically offensive to anyone and is in fact quite beautiful on all levels. His beautiful, dynamic pianism impressed even my Chopin crazed female friend who didn't even like Keith Jarrett's "The Koln Concert." I am therefore convinced that even people fundamentally turned off by jazz will enjoy or at least be able to tolerate this music, and those who like jazz at any level will find this album stunningly beautiful. Plus, if you enjoy this, there is also "The Tokyo Concert" by the same group during roughly the same period, which is equally as good, and the studio album from three years later, "I Will Say Goodbye" is close."

Bill and Eddie in top form

Anthony R. Guarriello | Rutherfordton NC | 04/06/2006

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Its funny because I was reading the book Everything Happens to Me a musical biography of pianist Bill Evans and the author seems to think that this album holds nothing exciting for the listener. Well I can't agree. I think the interplay on this live date from Jan 1973 at the Village Vanguard with Eddie Gomez on bass and Marty Morell on drums is some of the best that has been captured on disc except for the classic Vanguard dics with the late Scott LaFaro. In comparison, I think Bill's playing had become more forceful. Personally my favorite tune on this record is the Cy Coleman song See-Saw. The arrangment that Bill has given it. The melody played in a light waltz and then solos in a hard presto four time,its neat to really listen to Eddie while he walks through the form,he is burning. The album also features such classic Bill songs such as Time Remembered and Turn Out The Stars. The title track Since We Met is also very good. The recording quality is not the best but I think the sound of the acoustic bass is awesome,by this time Eddie was using a pic up for his bass. The bottom line is that this record might not be the best starting point for someone new to the Bill Evans trio but then again maybe not. Get this record!"