This excellent vinyl box is an expansive look into classic Bill Evans.
Bill Evans Trio – Haunted Heart: The Legendary Riverside Studio Recordings – Craft Recordings – CR00902 [11/21/2025] 180-gram 5-LP Box Set *****:
(Bill Evans – piano; Scott LaFaro – double bass; Paul Motian – drums)
After Bill Evans’ session work with Miles Davis, he formed a trio in 1959. With Scott LaFaro on double bass and Paul Motian on drums, Evans integrated his crystalline, lyrical style into a highly collaborative environment. Despite the untimely death of LaFaro, the subsequent two studio albums (Portrait In Jazz, Explorations) and a pair of Village Vanguard live releases established the group’s legacy. Evans achieved iconic status in various instrumental formats, but this early trio was a pivotal flashpoint.
Craft Recordings has released a 180-gram, re-mastered 5-LP box set (also available on a 3-CD package) of the Riverside albums. Bill Evans Trio – Haunted Heart: The Legendary Riverside Recordings features re-mastered sound by Paul Blakemore (Plangent Processes) and is cut to lacquers by Kevin Gray (Cohearant Audio). Included are the stereo upgrades of the trio’s two iconic studio albums and 26 alternative track (16 previously unreleased). Incisive liner notes (John Densmore, Eugene Holley Jr.) and rare photographs are part of this unprecedented reissue. Disc One consists of the trend-setting Portrait In Jazz album. The unique jazz covers are executed with color and stylistic nuance by Evans, LaFaro and Motian. “Come Rain Or Come Shine” increases the tempo and Evans distills the melodic shading with LaFaro’s counter work. A highlight is the medium-swing arrangement for “Autumn Leaves”. LaFaro’s early solo glides and Motian’s brush work is nimble. Evans plays with him before his lyrical runs. This dynamic infuses “Witchcraft” and “When I Fall In Love” (a master class in hushed elegance) merging sophisticated interplay and improvisation. Two original compositions, the jaunty “Peri’s Scope” and a melancholic “Blue In Green” (co-written with Miles Davis on Kind Of Blue) expand the musical tapestry “Someday My Prince Will Come” is a definite gem with waltz-time structure. Evans sparkles on this one with soulful articulation.. A second LP of alternative takes of this session provides audio glimpses into the chemistry of the group.
Disc Three is Explorations, released in 1961 unfortunately would be the last studio album for this trio. Tales of band tension fueled the intensity, but had no discernible negative impact. With up tempo gems like the opening track, “Israel”, Evans’ fluent chording and right hand runs are amazing. LaFaro folds in his bass lines seamlessly and Motian’s brush work and breaks are exemplary. With elegiac sophistication, “Haunted Heart” is jazz balladry at its finest. “Beautiful Love” is a lively affair, showcasing Evans’ indelible artistry His ability to explore the essences of melody permeates “Elsa” (with 3/4 time signature). LaFaro and Motian are always present without being extraneous, and the sinewy upticks in rhtyhm make this cut interesting. This threesome can anticipate each other’s moves, and they demonstrate an elevated jazz pedigree on Miles Davis’ modal “Nardis”. An innate sense of tempo agility transforms Irving Berlin’s “How Deep Is The Ocean?” Into jazz fare. “Sweet And Lovely” has magnetic interplay between Evans and LaFaro, and Motian’s timekeeping is flawless. He contributes forceful drum breaks and a monumental solo. Two LPs of alternative and outtakes (featuring unique versions of “The Boy Next Door”) complement this historic album.
Bill Evans Trio – Haunted Heart: The Legendary Riverside is a fitting update to a jazz touchstone. The re-mastered sound is potent with crisp detail and meticulous recording. This vinyl pressing is top-notch. Collectors will appreciate the packaging, sleeves and booklet.
Highest recommendation!
—Robbie Gerson
Bill Evans Trio – Haunted Heart: The Legendary Riverside Studio Recordings
TrackList:
Disc One/Portrait In Jazz Stereo:
Side A: Come Rain Or Come Shine (Take 5, Album Master); Autumn Leaves (Take 13, Stereo Album Master); Witchcraft (Take 5, Album Master); When I Fall In Love (Take 2, Album Master)
Side B: Peri’s Scope (Take 2, Album Master); What Is This Thing Called Love (Take 4, Album Master); Spring Is Here (Take 4, Album Master); Someday My Prince Will Come (Take 5, Album Master); Blue In Green (Take 3, Album Master)
Disc Two/Alternative Takes From The Portrait In Jazz Sessions (Mono):
Side C: Witchcraft (Take 4, Alternate); Witchcraft (Take 6, Alternate); Spring Is Here (Take 4, Alternate); Come Rain Or Come Shine (Take 2, Alternate); Come Rain Or Come Shine (Take 4, Alternate)
Side D: Autumn Leaves (Take 9, Mono Album Master); Blue In Green (Take 1, Alternate); Blue In Green (Take 2, Alternate); Someday My Prince Will Come (Take 1, Alternate)
Disc Three/Explorations (Stereo):
Side E: Israel (Take 1 Album Master); Haunted Heart (Take 3, Album Master); Beautiful Love (Take 2, Album Master); Elsa (Take 5, Album Master)
Side F: Nardis (Take 2, Album Master); How Deep Is The Ocean (Take 3, Album Master); I Wish I Knew (Take 4, Album Master); Sweet And Lovely (Take 4, Album Master)
Disc Four/Alternative Takes From The Explorations Session (Stereo):
Side G: Elsa (Take 4, Alternate); Elsa (Take 6, Alternate); Sweet And Lovely (Take 3, Alternate); Sweet And Lovely (Take 5, Alternate)
Side H: Sweet And Lovely (Take 6, Alternate); Nardis (Take 1, Alternate); Beautiful Love (Take 1, Alternate); I Wish I Knew (Take 2, Alternate)
Disc Five/Alternate Takes And Outtakes From The Explorations Session (Stereo):
Side I: I Wish I Knew (Take 3 Alternate); I Wish I Knew (Take 5 Alternate); Haunted Heart (Take 2, Alternate); The Boy Next Door (Take 1 Outtake)
Side J: The Boy Next Door (Take 4 Outtake); The Boy Next Door (Take 6 Outtake); Walking Up (Take 1 Outtake); How Deep Is The Ocean (Take 1 Alternate); How Deep Is The Ocean (Take 2 Alternate).
