Customer Reviews

Affinity

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Recorded in 1978 with the legendary jazz harmonica player and composer Toots Theilemans("Bluesette"), this album represents several "firsts" for Bill Evans. These are his first versions of Paul Simon's beautiful "I Do It For Your Love", and the standard "Days of Wine and Roses" (Not counting the "V.I.P Theme" muzak record)- -two tunes that stayed firmly in the trio's repertoire till the very end.

It is also the first Evans release to feature bassist extraordinaire Marc Johnson. This is an essential album -- and some of Evans' most inspired later-period playing. His use of the electric piano on some tracks blends beautifully with Toot's warm melodicism, egging Bill on to some stunning work as an accompanist and soloist -- and the two jazz masters are in rare form throughout. "Affinity" can also boast of one of the most fluid and creatively soulful recorded versions of the classic "Body and Soul" in all of jazz.

Theilemans later regarded the sessions for "Affinity" as his favorite!

As the title suggests, Bill Evans and Toots Thielemans really do have an affinity for each other's work. Evans's piano and Thielemans's harmonica are mellow and meditative on this CD, capturing many lovely shades of blue. Whether performing an original like "Sno' Peas" or a cover of one of Paul Simon's more obscure songs, "I Do It For Your Love," Evans and Thielemans create the perfect aural backdrop for watching the rain from your living-room window, a good cup of Moka Java or glass of Merlot in hand.

Jazz harmonica master Jean "Toots" Thielemans has often cited this album as being his favorite performance. A quick listen will quickly reveal why Toots feels so strongly about this work.

Toots has been the undisputed grandmaster of Jazz harmonica since the 1950's, playing with just about everyone from Benny Goodman to stints with George Shearing, Quincy Jones and other reknowned Jazz giants. He pioneered Bee-Bop harmonica and can be heard on the soundtracks of movies from "The Pawnbroker" to "Midnight Cowboy" to "The Getaway" and more. He's recorded dozens of great albums as well as making guest appearances on hundreds of recordings.

Paired here with piano great Bill Evans, Toots plays with a mastery and sensitivity that I can only stand in awe of. Like a spring, notes pour out of Toots effortlessly, each hitting at exactly the right moment in the song. Technically, it is a masterpiece. Toots also shows the ability to know when to back off, letting the spaces speak for themselves. During those quiet moments he leaves you wanting to hear more. Every moment of this CD is a joy.

This recording is a monumental piece of Jazz and one the the greatest pieces of Jazz harmonica ever produced. I strongly recommend that you give this CD a whirl.

Bill Evans had fur tipped fingers. Somehow, his playing was always softer and more mellow and melodic than any other jazz pianists of his time. Add to that the master of melody that Toots was, and you have a beautiful CD. It's not all soft and sweet, though. Both musicians could swing, too, and they swing a bit on this CD, too. A really nice jazz CD, with some really fine jazz musicians.

In Affinity, Bill Evans quits the trio formula to incorporate Toots Thielemans on harmonica. Except for two tunes, this album is composed of ballads and in this sense, Affinity is comparable to many other albums of Bill Evans' end of life (e.g. You must believe in Spring). The mood is extremely melancholic, as if the pianist was aware of his future death, and Toots' harmonica will make you cry. It's a very nice recording that not only jazz fans will appreciate. Jazz fans may say that there is nothing revolutionary here, but is that a necessary condition?

This is great. One of the last albums Bill Evans recorded. 97% is fabulous. I play it all the time. Very enjoyable.

It's a pity the two artists never met again becouse it's a really wonderful instrumental combination. Perheaps missing some tune such as Alfie - remember Steve Wonder's harmonica solo?-.

I've been loving this album for a couple years now, and just listened to it twice in a row while lying in the tub with a candle going and the wind howling outside. Bill and Toots made it that much sweeter; this album goes with so many moods and places. Affinity just keeps getting better as time goes by, as truly great art will while it becomes part of the tapestry of your experiences.

This is a treasure-trove of emotions and musical genius. Toots is so far beyond any other harmonica player I've ever heard, including Stevie W and John Popper and the rest. His tone here is luscious, deep and sparkling; it sounds like they miked both the harp close-up and also the amp he plays through with some reverb, so you get the immediacy of the acoustic instrument and the more epic sound of the amp. Few sax players have ever sounded this good.

Add to that an almost surreal level of musical intimacy with Evans' harmonic genius and this is an album completely unique in sound and feel.

There is so much poignancy and feeling in every track here, even when they swing. Every cut is a highlight; Body and Soul and Blue in Green are both classic versions. Marc Johnson fits in like he's been playing with Bill for years. It's hard to believe this combo made only one album; most bands never get this tight and intuitive even after a decade. There's no question why it's Toots' favorite of all his many performances.

If you like jazz, the sound of a harmonica, or superb piano playing, this is a must. If you like all three you will be in heaven with this album.

Absolutely splendid music.

10 previous reviews-8 don't mention Larry Schneider and the two that do dis him. Well I happen to like his playing as Bill Evans apparently did, as well as Horace Silver and Thad Jones-Mel Lewis during this time period. Check out his solo on Wine and Roses. It builds beautifully from start to finish.
And I'm not crazy about jazz harmonica. No accounting for taste.

When I found out that there was an album released of two of my heroes: Bill Evans and Toot Thielemans, I could not wait having that on my turntable in 1979.
However I was rather disappointed. Of course Bill and Toots enjoyed their company, but what on earth is this freaky sopranosaxofonist Larry Schneider doing here?
To these ears he spoils this record completely.
How well this could have been!
A few months later the Bill Evans Trio, this time with Marc Johnson and Joe LaBarbera, toured the Netherlands and in a small town: Lelystad at the "Meerkoet" Toots Thielemans joined the trio.
The result was a stunning concert, the only one in Europe and as far as I know the only "live" performance of these two giants together.
This concert makes it very clear what could have been.
So I urge a recordcompany: release this concert, it's pure jazz history. (sadly Bill died 9 months later)
I know Toots will be proud (I interviewed him), since he was already very proud to do this record with Bill.

Arnold van Kampen, Netherlands, writer about jazz.