You know that there is a revival of vinyl albums when for the first time since 1987 their sales actually outnumbered those of compact discs. Why is that? Probably the warmth and intimacy that the 33 1/3rds provide, as exemplified by this Desert Island Disc by Bill Evans.
It’s usually a toss up as to whether the title of The Greatest Jazz Trio of All Time goes to Nat “ King” Cole’s team of Oscar Moore/g and Wesley Prince/b or Bill Evans’ original team of Paul Motian/dr and Scott La Faro/b. This album is one of two that Evans’ team recorded at The Village Vanguard back in 1961, and it stands the test of time of, well, timeless melodicism and improvisation.
LaFaro had a style of playing the bass that freed Evans’ left hand in order to create harmonic explorations, and he does so with elegant ease as on “Some Other Time” and “Detour Ahead”. Evans’ touch on “Waltz For Debbie” and “My Foolish Heart” are the defining takes of these two masterpieces, while Evans demonstrates he can also dig in, with a sleek read of “Milestones”. The affection between the musicians and audience is palpable, with the clinking of the glasses almost feeling like a part of the song. Is it still possible to wear out the grooves?