20 Jul
Homecoming by Bill Evans
- Written by James Shell
-
font size
decrease font size
increase font size
With all the Evans concert recordings that have been released in the past couple of years, was there really any point in putting out another, especially one that features the same repertoire and personnel as many of the others? Yes, for three reasons: Evans was and is one of the major jazz artists, and anything he played is worth hearing; this concert was given at his alma mater and thus finds him and his trio in inspired form; and because on every Evans recording there seems to be at least one moment that dazzles the listener with the brilliance of Evans' musical mind. Here, it is an unaccompanied version of "I Loves You, Porgy" that compares favorably to the Village Vanguard and Montreux recordings of the same song. Evans gave freest rein to his imagination when playing solo, and on this track one hears a beautiful example of how he applied the rubato idea intrinsic to jazz not only to rhythm but also to harmony, melody, and even dynamics. Homecoming also features some delightful photos of Evans' college days, good liner notes with reproductions of excerpts from Evans' letters to one of his professors, and an interview that gives a glimpse of the determination and pride of this outwardly gentle and modest man.
Additional Info
- Artist / Group Name: Bill Evans
- CD Title: Homecoming
- Genre: Straight-Ahead / Classic
- Year Released: 1999
- Record Label: Milestone Records
- Tracks: Re: Person I Knew; Midnight Mood; Laurie; Song from MASH (Suicide is Painless); Turn Out the Stars); Very Early; But Beautiful; I Loves You, Porgy; Up With the Lark; Minha (All Mine); I Do It for You; Someday My Prince Will Come; Interview with Bill Evans by Rod Starns.
- Musicians: Bill Evans (piano); Marc Johnson (bass); Joe LaBarbera (drums).
- Label Website: -
- Rating: Five Stars
Read 133
times
Published in
Straight-Ahead / Classic - CD Reviews
