Craft Recordings releases a sparkling re-mastered vinyl of a classic Bill Evans Trio album.
Bill Evans Trio – Waltz For Debby – Riverside Records RLP-359 (1962)/Craft Recordings CR00617 180-gram stereo vinyl, 38:29 *****:
(Bill Evans – piano; Scott LaFaro – double bass; Paul Motian – drums)
The history of piano-based trios is an integral part of jazz history. While the piano is featured prominently, many ensembles featured a collaborative effort. Among the most revered trios are Bud Powell (with Ray Brown and Buddy Rich), Oscar Peterson (with Ray Brown and Ed Thigpen), Ellington/Mingus Roach, Vince Guaraldi (Fred Marshall and Jerry Granelli) and Keith Jarrett (Gary Peacock and Jack DeJohnette). Among these groups is the quintessential Bill Evans Trio, featuring Scott LaFaro and Paul Motian. The debut (Portraits In Jazz) on Riverside Records in 1959 was the first of four influential albums. LaFaro was killed in an automobile accident in 1961, but his contributions to jazz are noteworthy.
Craft Recordings has released a re-mastered 180-gram vinyl of the final trio recording, Waltz For Debby. It was recorded live during the Sunday At The Village Vanguard sessions. This is the album where Evans focused on his considerable legacy of romantic expression. He intermingles classical musical imagery with jazz aesthetics in a unique way. Side 1 opens with the Victor Young 1949 film tune, “My Foolish Heart”. Evans starts with tender melancholy, and both LaFaro and Motian (brush) complement the mood flawlessly. His elegant piano lines have a gossamer resonance and distill the essence of the song. There are subtle tempo upticks, but the gentler vibe is never diminished. Next up is the signature composition, “Waltz For Debby”. This has become a jazz standard with covers by David Benoit, Chick Corea, Oscar Peterson and Cannonball Adderley to name a few. Evans originally recorded this a a solo piece on the 1956 album, New Jazz Conceptions. The pianist slides gracefully into a 3/4 time with a delicate, aspirational touch. At the 1:13 mark, the trio shifts into medium-swing mode. LaFaro executes a nimble counterpoint and Motian’s impeccable timing anchors the jam. This is quintessential Evans with breezy touches,, complex right hand notation and chord manipulation. LaFaro gets a well-deserved solo with his unique “guitar-like” runs. It is timeless jazz. Shifting back to moodiness, “Detour Ahead” exudes heartfelt emotion. Evans’ innate grasp of balladry is compelling. His ability to insert well-timed flourishes and then revert to bluesy intonation is agile and emphatic. Again, his band mates are in relaxed lockstep, and the quieter moments are hypnotic.
Side 2 kicks off with another jazz rendition of a pop song (“My Romance”). Evans captures the songwriting nuances of Richard Rodgers for the first minute. Then, there is another shift to medium-swing as LaFaro plays counterpoint (and has another extended solo) against the first piano run. Motian’s economical drumming is flawless. A relaxed, gossamer-like translation of Leonard Bernstein’s “Some Other Time” (from On The Town) is breathtaking in its haunting beauty. It seems fitting that Bernstein who incorporated jazz and modern classicism would be covered by Evans. A meditative, intimate feel permeates this performance. The finale (“Milestones”) is a homage to Miles Davis. The aesthetics are different here, with crisp jazz accents. All three musicians turn up the heat with LaFaro (who is featured here) and Motian driving the pulse, while Evans instills bop energy and technique.
This vinyl upgrade of Waltz For Debby is excellent. The sound mix (Kevin Gray/Cohearant Studios) and vinyl pressing (RTI) are pristine. The only detectable live “noise” is the audience clapping. The stereo separation is very good. This album would be a valuable addition to any jazz library.
—Robbie Gerson
Bill Evans Trio – Waltz For Debby
TrackList:
Side 1: My Foolish Heart; Waltz For Debby; Detour Ahead
Side 2: My Romance; Some Other Time; Milestones.
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