(1962-68) Bill Evans COMPACT JAZZ [1987 Verve] [Dtritus]

A Verve compilation from 1987.

Bill Evans (1929-80) was unquestionably the most influential jazz pianist of the last quarter century. His crystalline chord voicings, subtle rhythmic sense, and long, fresh melodic lines consistently revitalized the song form. His ballads, dark or wistful, were definitive. Evan's singular artistry is captured here in a variety of settings-3 miraculous solos from his masterpiece album, "Conversations with myself" (which, through overdubbing, gives us the unique pleasure of hearing three Bill Evans), a cheerful duet with guitarist Jim hall, five diverse trio tracks by five different trios and two gorgeous performances of classical themes with trio augmented by symphony orchestra. Bill Evans' pianistic romanticism will forever recall the words of another romantic genius, John Keats: "Beauty is truth, truth beauty, that is all/ Ye know on earth, and all ye need to know."

James Isaacs (from booklet)




I'm not sure who determined CONVERSATIONS WITH MYSELF to be Bill Evans' "masterpiece album." I find it more novelty than masterpiece, but a crummy Bill Evans
LP ( if ever there was one) would still be better than most albums. The rest of the praise is right on, hyperbole and all.........................Dt