Customer Reviews

Empathy: Simple Matter of Conviction

5 star:		(5)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

This is a more unknown albeit good session by Evans. Actually its two... one from '62, the other, '66. Both have Shelly Manne which is an interesting twist for Evans. In my opinion he sounds much different with Manne than he did with any other drummer, almost avante garde at times.

Starting the album with Irving Berlin's Washington Twist, Evans and Manne sound almost Brubeck-ish and even forceful, without sounding forced or silly. Other songs, like the second track, Danny Boy feauture Evans playing at his most sensitive and quiet. Very pretty.

Session two (with Eddie Gomez on bass, instead of Monty Budwig) has a bunch of Evans originals, including A Simple Matter Of Conviction, which is neat and quirky, plus Orbit (Unless it's you) which is pretty good and conventional. The last two originals are Only Child which is quite pretty, and These Things Called Changes which is more uptempo and shiney. These songs are pretty obscure for Evans, thus making this cd almost essential and unique. Pick it up.

I have been listening to Bill Evans for more years than I care to think of, and have many of his 33 rpm albums. Having said that, "Empathy" is one of my favorite albums and I think one of his best. Now, I know I will get a lot of flak from other Evans fans who consider his best years were with Scott La Faro, but hear me out.

Evans' playing on this album (6 cuts) range from the joyful, ebulliant, to the pensive, moody Evans we often associate with him. "With a Song in My Heart" and "Washington Twist" (by Irving Berlin, no less), are bouncing, joyful outings, as are "I Believe in You" and "Let's Go Back to th e Waltz". The two ballads, "Goodbye" and "Danny Boy" are a combination of one-note and brilliant chordal playing, with clusters and complex, two-handed chords, all the while with soaring melodies. "Danny Boy" is notable for its sad, lonely aura, while "Goodbye" has some very forceful, bluesy playing by Evans.

I think this is Bill Evans at his best. No fan, or novice, should consider his collection complete until they have listened to this at least once. You won't be sorry!!

These two Bill Evan's Sessions differ greatly from your standard Evan's album's. However, it is a very unique look at his skill in playing others music beautifully. He only has a few originals on these two albums. This is not a Bill Evan's starter kit, but should be owned and loved by his fans.

"A simple matter of conviction". The fact is that this is more a matter of monster talents to be real!! These two encounters are a dream come true! Bill Evans with Shelly Manne, Eddie Gomez and Monty Budwig. An impressionist kind of jazz, light, fluid, deep, delicate, intellectual, ironic, with an unbelievable interplay between the musicians. If you love Jazz, you can't do without this recording. It's Bill Evans at his best, with some spice added by Shelly. Probably there will never be another Bill, but sure there will never be another Shelly too.
Really, trust me, these two albums are wonderful. Buy this piece of jazz history.

In this double session, you can hear a very special sound in Evans' style. I believe this is also because of great Shelley Manne on drums: it is true, he didn't reharsal so much with Evans, but Manne, better than anyother (sorry for Motian, Morrell, Riel, La Barbera...), can support and enhance the intricate rhythmic concept of Evans and he does it with great personality! With Manne, finally, we can enjoy the real trio balance not just two voices + drums as in the historical session at Village Vanguard...but probably Mr. Evans preferred to dialogue just with bass.

I am a huge fan of the Bill Evans piano genre. I believe he is a legitimate classicist along side of Debussy and Rachmaninov. I am a bit disappointed that this set includes short versions of standards with way too much drumming solo empty space. Even his own very fine original pieces are clipped shorter than I would like.

I love this Bill Evans album. One highlight is With a Song in My Heart, which is very funny. But the whole album (actually two albums) is a joy to listen to.