Customer Reviews

Solo Sessions 1

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

 

 

This album sets the standard for an intimate session by a solo piano. It's hard to find music more vulnerable yet precise in technique and finesse. This album is peaceful yet heartbreaking at the same time.

This record ( and its pair, volume 2) may be the most underrated record by the immense Bill Evans.Both volumes were recorded on the same day, January 10,1963, and they are exceptionnal. In fact, this is some of the greatest stuff Bill Evans ever recorded. One and a half year after Scott LaFaro's tragic death, Bill Evans is alone in a studio, and simply plays some of the greatest tunes he ever recorded. This is a very desperate album, a very sad one, but the music is completely outstanding. This is simply beauty. Bill's version of "my favorite things" is absolutely incredible, and so are the other tunes. These records have always been among my favorites by Bill Evans. Magnificent, essential to every jazz lover. You can't miss it!!!

Wow! What a sultry sound. Very intense and deep with emotion. Sends my mind into relaxation and warmth through my body.

I was not ready for this. As an admitted Bill Evans fanatic, I own about 75% of all of his available recordings and constantly search for new recordings of his. Last week I ordered both volumes 1 and 2 of The Solo Sessions. After listening to Bill thousands of times, my first listen to these solo recordings blew me away. I cried three times while listening. You can feel the pain that Bill is going through during this period when he was strung out on heroin. These recordings are the most intimate, reflective, emotionally-raw ones I have heard Bill make. If I had to choose one recording session to have sat in on during Bill's career, it would have been this one. Next to the original Village Vanguard recordings, these are, in my opinion, the most essential Bill Evans albums ever released.

This album is worth it just for the introductory notes on the "My Favorite Things/Easy to Love/Baubles, Bangles, and Beads" medley. I worked with my piano teacher for a couple hours trying to figure them out. Although, I now can play the intro note for note, it just doesn't have that Bill Evans feel. There is only one Bill Evans and if you can purchase only one Bill Evans CD, this would be one to consider.

These albums (solo sessions 1 & 2) are truly not to be missed. The clarity of the ideas Bill Evans expresses on these recordings, with his lyrical melodies that absolutely sing to the listener, spellbinding harmonies and uncanny sense of rhythm are simply beautiful. The Spartacus Love Theme / Nardis and My Favorite Things / Easy to Love / Baubles Bangles and Beads tracks are exceptional. Highly recommended.

Correva l'anno 1963 quando il trentaduenne Bill Evans entrò in sala di incisione per registrare queste solo sessions. Erano passati tre mesi dalla registrazione del memorabile "Undercurrent" in duo con Jim Hall. Il pallore in viso, gli occhiali da vista neri a montatura grossa, i capelli pettinati all'indietro e tirati a lucido, la sigaretta sempre in bocca, il busto sempre curvo sui tasti. Ma soprattutto due occhi costantemente persi in un pensiero di angoscia creativa. Il "golden trio" con La Faro e Paul Motian, che aveva rivoluzionato il concetto di interplay, era ormai lontano. Un'esperienza irripetibile, bruciata nello spazio d'un minuto sul ciglio di un'autostrada. Da quel momento, Bill Evans accentuò il ripiegamento in sè stesso e senza curarsi della "New Thing" continuò a rivoluzionare il jazz dall'interno, silenziosamente. Sviscerando con straordinaria intensità brani come "What kind of fool am I?", "My favorite things", "When I fall in love", "Nardis", "April in Paris", che attraverso le sue mani rivelano luci e colori sempre nuovi.
Arthur Cravan

Let me first say, the music on this CD is absolutely incredible. Evans has a way with the piano and it shines. However, I have a very good sound system and there is about 30dB of static covering every recording on the CD. Its just infuriating! It takes your attention away from the piano and keeps distracting you. Instead of clean notes with a black background, its noisy and it flushes away the notes. Its like trying to watch the TV during a blizzard. I'm very sorry, but I heard it on several copies of the CD and its just a terrible recording job.