Track Listing

1. Re: Person I Knew
2. Gary's Theme
3. Letter to Evan
4. 34 Skidoo
5. Laurie
6. Nardis
7. Interview - Bill Evans, Bill Evans, Harry Evans

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #84617 in Music
• Released on: 2001-04-03
• Number of discs: 1
• Formats: Live, Original recording remastered

Customer Reviews

A master at the height of his powers....
The second volume in the series and a worthy successor very much the equal. Again a feast for mind and heart, I actually prefer this Edition. "Re: A Person I Know" is extraordinary, probably his best redition of the piece, just as you are sighing in appreciation at the sheer beauty of this piece he hits you with "Gary's Theme". Evans is one of the true masters of the ballad and it's exploration. "Laurie" is yet another simply amazing ballad. "Nardis" starts out as a study on piano, with Evans improvising almost leading you astray, you are lost in these wonderful thoughtful exploration of this Miles Davis classic, and then suddenly the trio comes in and suddenly it's an upbeat vehicle with Marc Johnson taking an outstanding solo with absolutely no excess as does Joe La Barbera, a fine and underrated drummer. With Evans passing we lost a master at the height of his power. The potential of this trio is on exhibit here. Another thing in favor of this recording is that the audience came to listen, no excessive plates clattering, complete snippets of conversations, just a stellar performance by one too soon gone from us. This CD should also have been cast in gold along with Edition one.

The fruits of his labor.
In the interview concluding this album, Evans underscores his preference for musicians who have woodshedded, paid their dues, given their all for the art as opposed to the naturally gifted and fame-minded. Consider this album the consummation of Evans' musical journey, as inspired and impassioned as the Requiem Mozart composed on his death bed. It reveals the pianist at the height of his powers--creatively, spiritually, even physically. I have a slight preference for Edition One because of the inclusion of "I Loves You Porgy," an untouchable, unforgettable solo performance. But both editions contain Evans' most passionate and sustained lyrical "singing" on record. This recording should quickly silence any criticism of Evans' music as self-indulgent, tentative, or impressionistic.

Nardis alone is worth the purchase
This and Volume 1 are must haves. Check out Bill's intro on Nardis - completely in time, yet unprecedented rhythmic displacement.

The whole recording is this good. IMHO, some of the best, most moving Bill ever.