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| Popmatters |
_25.08.2011.jpg) For all the attention paid to his sense of harmony and melody, one could overlook an equally integral aspect to Bill Evans’ mastery: he knew how to swing. This is what prompted the shift from his innovative work with modal technique back to a post-bop model. Rather than exploring the limits of his modal themes, Evans returned to the more traditional chord progressions of standards. This perceived step backward did not, however, limit Evans from further progress. With Scott Lafaro on bass and Paul Motian on drums, Evans’ short-lived group expanded the possibilities of a piano jazz trio. Only releasing two studio albums and an essential live date at the Village Vangaurd, the first iteration of the Bill Evans trio gelled quickly and successfully enough to make its lasting mark in an astonishingly short period. Sadly, Lafaro’s early death ended this landmark trio just at the height of its power. Explorations, the last studio album recorded by the group, showcases a telepathic harmony between drummer, bassist, and pianist. Rather than simply taking turns soloing, in Evans’ trio, the members have to freedom to play improvisational, weaving lines throughout the tunes. This looser space requires each musician’s active participation throughout the songs, creating a more inspired and unified sound. Explorations opens with John Carisi’s “Israel”, a minor-blues number originally recorded by Miles Davis for his Birth of the Cool album. Motian’s improvisatory hi-hat lines, along with Evans’ and Lafaro’s joint syncopation introduce the number and the band as an integrated force. The band then dives into a hard swinging rendition of the tune, topping Miles’ prior effort in becoming the definitive version. The soloing found here, and the rest of the album, is tight, rhythmic, and in the best sense, restrained. Evans asserts “Haunted Heart” as a standard with the following track. With Motian and Lafaro’s understated accompaniment and Evans’ open voicings, this is the most space given on the album....full text |
| Elbo |
| For all the attention paid to his sense of harmony and melody, one could overlook an equally integral aspect to Bill Evans' mastery: he knew how to swing. For all the attention paid to his sense of harmony and melody, one could overlook an equally integral aspect to Bill Evans' mastery: he knew how to swing. This is what prompted the shift from his innovative work with modal technique back to a post-bop model. Rather than exploring the limits of his modal themes, Evans returned to the more traditional chord progressions of standards. This perceived step backward did not...full text |
| Blogcritics |
| Bill Evans, 1929-1980, is recognized as one of jazz music’s most influential pianists of the post-World War II era. His improvisational excursions and interpretations of various melodies would influence several generations of jazz musicians. His career began as a teenager and, after a stint in the military, he found himself performing with such musicians as Charles Mingus and Art Farmer. During 1958 he became an important member of the legendary Miles Davis Sextet. He formed the Bill Evans Trio during the late 1950s with bassist Scott LaFaro and drummer Paul Motian. They would issue two studio and two live albums together. Both live albums would be recorded at the Vanguard Theater on June 25, 1961. Ten days later LaFaro would die in an auto accident, bringing to a close one of the more creative and influential trios in jazz history. Explorations was released in 1961 and was the second of their two studio albums. It now returns as a part of The Concord Music Group’s ongoing Original Jazz Classics Remasters Series. The album's sound has a clarity not found on its previous incarnations. While the original liner notes have been retained, a new essay by Ashley Kahn sheds new light onto the album's creation. A number of bonus tracks are also included. Alternate takes of “Beautiful Love,” “How Deep Is The Ocean,” and “I Wish I Knew” demonstrate the improvisational nature of the Trio, as they are different from the tracks that were used on the original release....full text |
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_25.08.2011.jpg "Bill Evans Trio - Explorations (OJC Remasters) review")