 | New Jazz Conceptions by Bill Evans
Buy new: $11.98 / Used from: $2.45 His first album as a leader finds his playing still in hard bop mode, with the Powell and Tristano influences apparent; includes the original 1-minute version of "Waltz for Debby".
|
 | '58 Miles Featuring Stella by Starlight by Miles Davis
Buy used from: $11.88 You'll hear Evans first articulate his authentic impressionistic voice in the *gorgeous* solo on "My Funny Valentine". This disc features two sets by the "Kind of Blue" sextet, with Miles Davis, John Coltrane, and Cannonball Adderley, all in top form.
|
 | Everybody Digs Bill Evans by Bill Evans Trio
Buy used from: $3.70 His second album as a leader with somewhat aggressive drumming from Philly Joe Jones; features the brilliant, harrowing solo "Peace Piece".
|
 | Kind of Blue by Miles Davis
Buy new: $7.98 / Used from: $2.98 "The greatest jazz album of all-time"; Evans's contribution is one of the big reasons why. Miles himself said it should be called "Moe's Music" (Moe being his nickname for Bill).
|
 | Portrait in Jazz by Bill Evans
Buy used from: $4.75 The first album by Evans' classic trio including legendary bassist Scott LaFaro and subtle drummer Paul Motian, highlighted by a trio version of "Blue in Green".
|
 | Explorations by Bill Evans Trio
Buy new: $10.99 / Used from: $5.37 The second LaFaro trio album with very well-crafted arrangements, including a gorgeous version of Earl Zindars' "Elsa"; the group's definitive studio recording.
|
 | The Blues and the Abstract Truth by Oliver Nelson
Buy new: $14.99 / Used from: $3.99 The other essential album on which Evans appears as a sideman (also check out George Russell's Jazz Workshop, Mingus's East Coasting, & Art Farmer's Modern Art).
|
 | The Complete Village Vanguard Recordings, 1961 by Bill Evans
Buy new: $26.99 / Used from: $17.58 One of the fabled moments in the history of jazz, this live recording puts the spotlight on LaFaro and his "telepathic" interaction with Bill. LaFaro, tragically, died ten days later, and Evans didn't record as a leader again for almost a year. This complete 3-CD set replaces earlier issues (Sunday at the Village Vanguard and Waltz for Debby).
|
 | Undercurrent by Bill Evans
Buy new: $10.99 / Used from: $6.99 Evans' "comeback" album finds him creating haunting, cobweb-like structures with master guitarist Jim Hall--a perfect meeting of minds.
|
 | Moon Beams by Bill Evans Trio
Buy new: $10.99 / Used from: $6.99 The essential document of the "second" trio, with bassist Chuck Israels; a program of all ballads but featuring steely playing from Evans.
|
 | Conversations with Myself by Bill Evans
Buy new: $18.98 / Used from: $4.99 An extraordinary experiment: Evans communes with himself by overdubbing three piano tracks; "Spartacus Love Theme", swirling like snowflakes, is "to die for".
|
 | Bill Evans at Town Hall by Bill Evans
Buy new: $14.98 / Used from: $5.49 The trio recordings are merely average, but the 14-minute "Solo--In Memory of His Father," which introduces the unforgettable "Turn Out the Stars" theme, makes this essential.
|
 | Intermodulation by Bill Evans
Buy new: $11.98 / Used from: $11.10 The second pairing with Hall is about as good as the first and though briefer swings harder (e.g., "Jazz Samba").
|
 | Bill Evans Alone by Bill Evans
Buy new: $13.99 / Used from: $7.99 The greatest solo jazz piano album ever? Evans at his most exposed and most rarefied, stretching way out on "Never Let Me Go".
|
 | The Tokyo Concert by Bill Evans
Buy new: $11.98 / Used from: $5.17 A wide-ranging live set featuring the brilliant bassist Eddie Gomez and Evans' crystalline solo "Hullo, Bolinas."
|
 | Since We Met by Bill Evans Trio
Buy new: $11.98 / Used from: $4.50 Deeply expressive live recording of the trio with Eddie Gomez, one of Evans' very best live albums.
|
 | The Tony Bennett / Bill Evans Album by Bill Evans
Buy used from: $2.98 An unexpected but brilliantly executed pairing that demonstrates Evans' enormous sensitivity as an accompanist.
|
 | Alone (Again) by Bill Evans
Buy new: $11.98 / Used from: $3.98 A sequel to 1968's "Alone"--nearly as successful, too, with Evans building extraordinary structures out of simple materials ("People", etc.).
|
 | I Will Say Goodbye by Bill Evans Trio
Buy new: $11.98 / Used from: $30.70 The final album for Fantasy, with very strong tunes by some of Evans' favorite composers, including a fantastic impressionistic reading of Johnny Mandel's "Seascape".
|
 | You Must Believe in Spring by Bill Evans
Buy new: $10.99 / Used from: $4.24 The most intimate of all Evans' trio recordings; it doesn't demonstrate his full range, but the sustained mood can enhance many a late evening.
|
 | Marian Mcpartland's Piano Jazz by Bill Evans
Buy new: $11.98 / Used from: $6.54 This interview disc, an invaluable document, sheds a great deal of light on Evans' thoughtful personality and incomparable art; the solo version of Ellington's "Reflections in D" is the musical highpoint.
|
 | The Paris Concert, Edition One by Bill Evans
Buy new: $8.94 / Used from: $5.99 The definitive representation of Evans' final trio; his playing had never before sounded so sweeping, commanding, rhapsodic; highlights include Paul Simon's "I Do It for Your Love" and the solo version of Michel Legrand's "Noelle's Theme".
|
 | The Paris Concert, Edition Two by Bill Evans
Buy new: $11.98 / Used from: $6.30 Not quite as significant as the first edition, but still powerful, with an epic version of Miles Davis's "Nardis" and a brief interview segment.
|
 | Artist's Choice: Highlights from Turn Out the Stars by Bill Evans
Buy new: $8.96 / Used from: $1.90 The end of the road, with killer versions of "Turn Out the Stars" and "Yet Ne'er Broken". Those titles say it all.
|
 | Bill Evans: How My Heart Sings by Mr. Peter Pettinger
Buy new: $60.00 / Used from: $8.09 Concise, well-written biography that places the emphasis where it belongs--on the music; features a comprehensive discography.
|
Listmania!
