Search - Bill Evans :: Starfish & Moon

I freely admit it . . .

Jan P. Dennis | Monument, CO USA | 12/14/2003

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I'm a sucker for this kind of slick, easy-on-the-ears, ultra accessible jazz--so long as the cheese factor doesn't overwhelm.And, thankfully, it doesn't on this entirely enjoyable disc.Maybe it's because Bill Evans (tenor and soprano sax) retained just enough of a genuine jazz sensibility from his days as a Miles Davis sideman; maybe it's because the band, including my favorite Eastern European percussion/voice wildman, Arto Tuncboyacian, a young Adam Rogers on guitar, monster bassman James Genus, fluid keysman Jim Beard, manages to always skate just this side of jazz lite; maybe it's because the tunes, almost all by leader Evans, have just enough spine to keep them from slipping into unlistenable syrup--I don't know what it is, but it works. At least for me.And I think it'll work for you too, if you're not a jazz snob who listens only to Anthony Braxton and Cecil Taylor. The vibe here is what I call "Heartland Jazz," pioneered by Bill Frisell and perfected by Joel Harrison on his remarkable disc, Free Country (see my Listmania List for other examples of this unique genre).Check it out; I think you'll like it."

The complete package

tom saunders | dallas texas usa | 04/08/2002

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Bill Evans does it again! From a great cover ( which matches
the music perfectly) to music that grooves with soul and depth.
I love the fact that each cd tells a story.Never boring.
His sax playing has a depth and range very few have.starfish
is an acoustic groove cd I would recommend to anyone interested
in great music ( not smooth jazz fluff)"

Bank on Bill

Shawn Rule | Ann Arbor MI | 03/02/2002

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I first became aware of Bill Evans on the "Escape" compact disc. Wow, "The Sunday After" (among others) truly blew me away and he has followed that work with Starfish and the Moon which is personal and affectionate but also adventurous. "It's only history" is by far the signature work on the disc with soaring horn work by Evans it reminds this reviewer of getting wisdom from ones grandfather. "Big blue hat" puts me in the mind of Paris in the summer its very open and breathes effortlessly (Miles would have been proud) and check out "I'll Miss You". This work is inspired to say the least...Bravo!!!!"