At Shelly's Manne Hole [Live]

Bill Evans | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (July 1, 1991)
• Number of Discs: 1
• Format: Live
• Label: Ojc
• ASIN: B000000YEW
• Also Available in: Audio CD  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (8 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #65,140 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

15 of 16 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Not as Lofty, But Still Great, April 24, 2001

By 

M. Allen Greenbaum (California) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: At Shelly's Manne Hole (Audio CD)

For a CD that opens with "Isn't It Romantic," this is a relatively sparser, more aggressive Evans album. Compared to "Waltz for Debbie," for example, you won't hear as much of the soaring notes and atmospheric, delicate harmonies for which he is so famous. That said, it is still a fabulous CD, and just shows a different side of Evans.

Evans plays a wonderful collection of (mostly) standards, swinging on "The Boy Next Door (5:26)," with a nice bass solo by trio member Chuck Israels and some lilting runs by Evans. In the group, bass is emphasized more than drums (or just recorded better). There are several bass solos (e.g., on "Wonder Why," "Our Love is Here to Stay", and "All the Things You Are," to name a few) by the excellent Israels, but be forewarned if that's not your thing. Larry Bunker's drumming is very good, but sometimes nothing special.

"Swedish Pastry (5:55)" is a good example of the slightly different approach on this CD; Evans' boppish attack recalls the great Bud Powell. It also features an excellent Max Roach-like approach by Bunker. "Out Love is Here to Stay (4:51)" stays fairly close to the melody, but Evans' swinging style and assertive comping by Israels and Bunker keep it moving. He takes Monks' "'Round Midnight (9:07)" at a slow pace, alternating brooding tones with lighter single-note runs. I enjoyed the Israels/Evans duo on this very much. "All the Things You Are" (the almost obligatory bonus CD track) begins somewhat intellectual and studied, then somehow accomplishes a playful/abstract mood. The final cut "Blues in `F' (5:44)" is vintage Evans, with excellent comping by Israels and Bunker. As with some of the other songs, there's too little of Evans' playing--but he's a master when he plays.

The audience offers polite applause: neither detracting nor adding much to this live set. Recording quality is very good, and there are excellent liner notes by Chuck Israels. By the way, other than the famous "Village Vanguard" CDs, this 1963 set is the only live recording Evans made for Riverside (and also the last he made for the financially strapped company.)

I think this is an excellent album for Evans fans who want a taste of something different (and especially for those who like a lot of excellent bass work). Probably not "essential," but worth getting if you love this man's incredible work!

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars The highpoint the second trio achieved, November 21, 1998

By A Customer

This review is from: At Shelly's Manne Hole (Audio CD)

Different from other famous recordings by the Bill Evans Trio, you will feel the pleasure of listening to their plays in more relaxed atmosphere from this album. "Isn't it Romantic?" and "The Boy Next Door" are really good examples. These two tunes certainly posses something special that you seldom encounter in other Bill's albums. No doubt, "At Shelly's Manne-Hole" captured one of the Bill's best plays with the bassist, Chuck Israels, and the drummer, Larry Bunker. Although people tend to undervalue the second trio compared to the first one, this album explains that this perception is not always true. Listen to "The Boy Next Door" (this tune was played by the first trio when "Explorations" was recorded), then you will understand what the second trio achieved.

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Lesser known treasure..., April 1, 2005

By 

Larkenfield (Sedona, AZ) - See all my reviews

This review is from: At Shelly's Manne Hole (Audio CD)

I've heard a number of great Bill Evans albums over the years (great being his overall norm) and I was immediately attracted to this recording because Evans sounds so completely relaxed, laid-back and at ease at the piano, yet rises to the occasion with his sparkling, cascading technique when needed... In short, he seems to be having a good time and that usually means a good time for the listener... In addition, this is a beautifully balanced set with a satisfying blend of classics, ballads, and blues... all played in front of a modest but appreciative audience. I believe some of the magic is because of the warm acoustics at Shelly's Manne-Hole and a piano that seems to be capable of luscious sonorities and responds so well to Evan's superb touch. It seems like he really enjoyed playing it, and the feeling comes through his performance as he sounds so completely at home. This album plays well for active listening... or to set a sophisticated mood for an evening with someone special. I've enjoyed it countless times.