Search - Eddie Costa :: Guys & Dolls Like Vibes

Bill Evans fans, take note

Michael St John | St. Paul, MN | 11/01/2001

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Eddie Costa may not be well known, except to Tal Farlow fans and those who closely read the sideman credits on some Tony Bennett records, because he led only a few sessions for small labels before dying in a car crash at age 31. However, he was a nicely gifted pianist and vibes player, and here was given a dream band to play six choice tunes from GUYS AND DOLLS. On this January '58 date, Costa sticks exclusively to vibes, because on piano he has Bill Evans, just months before he would join Miles Davis. Rounding out the group are Wendell Marshall on bass and Paul Motian (who would soon after be part of Evans' trio) on drums.The material, arrangements, and playing are all top notch. If you're a fan of '50s jazz, the sound of jazz vibes, or you just dig Bill Evans, I highly recommend this set."

At last, Eddie Costa is back!

Fernando Ortiz de Urbina | LONDON United Kingdom | 01/28/2002

(4 out of 5 stars)

"The jazz archive emporium that is now under Universal's Verve banner has made it possible for us to have Eddie Costa (1930-62) back as a leader. His was another sad case of untimely death in the history of jazz, and blimey we've had some! Jimmie Blanton, Clifford Brown, Scott LaFaro or Stan Hasselgard are just a few of the youngsters who died leaving us with just a glimpse of what they might have achieved.
There are many places where one can come across Costa's musicianship, but for me there are two groups where he plays especially well: one is Sal Salvador's (in his "Quintet/Quartet", now on Blue Note, check out his playing on "Yesterdays" or "Boo Boo Bee Doop"), and the other, Tal Farlow's drumless trio (he plays one his trademark low register solo on the version of "Yesterdays", included in the Farlow compilation Verve Jazz Masters vol. 41, that is simply amazing).
As for this album (originally on Coral), even though I miss livelier tempi and Costa's piano playing, it is a very good collection of music, played by an exceptional quartet, Costa plus Bill Evans, Wendell Marshall and Paul Motian. By the way Motian, Costa and Evans were 26, 27 and 28 respectively. All four of them play as if they were a stable performing unit, with Evans sounding surprisingly bluesy (in "Adelaide"), Paul Motian precise and full of swing, playing especially in the multi-meter "Luck Be A Lady", and Marshall remaining discreetly in the background with some interesting lines in the ballads. And the leader is, as was the rule, full of ideas and playing with the virtuosity that makes you forget that there is some effort involved in playing. Regarding the music and the arrangements of these show tunes, I guess this is as far out as it could go with a bunch of under-thirties in 1958, one year or two before "Kind Of Blue" and "Free Jazz". Great music, but just the beginning of the thread leading to other Costa jewels. So grab your coat, get your (detective's) hat, and look for the silver lining that is Costa's uplifting playing."