Customer Reviews

Sunday at the Village Vanguard (20 Bit Mastering)

5 star:		(19)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

If bassist Scott LaFaro had not been killed in an auto accident ten days after this long recording session in 1961, one wonders what tunes Bill Evans would have put on this record, and whether that resulting album would have attained the fame of this one. Evans selected the tunes that LaFaro was prominently involved in for this release, which came a few months after the tragedy. Songs on which Evans himself dominated were left for the companion LP, "Waltz for Debbie." If you even think you like "piano jazz" you should own both CD's. Evans is of course, a magical pianist. LaFaro was taken before he could step out and be a leader, but who knows...had he lived, he might be as famous as Charles Mingus. The remaining member of the trio, Paul Motian, on drums, doesn't get the solo spotlight much, but his presence is essential to the overall success of these performances. The tunes on this disc are not instantly recognized standards, but the sounds coming through the speakers, (or better yet, headphones) are wonderful. There were many good pianists, and good trios or quartets, during the 1946-'66 heyday of classic jazz, but Evans, Monk and Brubeck are the cream. Very distinct artists, with widely divergent styles, but all three need to be in one's collection. And for Bill Evans', this CD and "Waltz for Debbie" are where you should begin.

Scott Lafaro's Playing on this record is perhaps his best ever, it is neither clunky nor hysterical. It is some of the most agile and artistic music ever played, tragically he died 10 days later. This trio was one of Bill Evan's favorites, if not the favorite (from biography) he struggled to release recording as quickly as possible, as a tribute to Lafaro, so everyone could hear the height of this musical achievment. This record is about Lafaro, to fast forward through his solos would be a crime. What some people don't understand is that the piano need not be the only focal point in a trio, it doesn't need to be solo piano with bass and drums. The concept here is where everyone in the trio is improvising in a more abstract way, playing off and around each other. The interplay is truly sublime, Paul Motian sounds great, Scott Lafaro sounds great, not only virtuostic, but also meaningful and with a well thought out timbre. I haven't ever heard a trio with this depth of musical thought. Keith Jarrett gets close, but this is where he is coming from. Too bad Lafaro didn't have a long carreer, or maybe this would be the concept people think of first. This is my favorite recording.

Recorded on 6/25/61, Bill Evans, Scott LaFaro and Paul Motian were one of the defining jazz trios of all time, and this is a fantastic album.

Right away you're seeing 4 stars and wondering why... especially if you've heard this one before. For me it comes down to one thing: the bass solos. I'm just not a huge fan of them here. LaFaro was an incredible bass player! I just think his best moments occur when everyone else is also playing. The way he and Bill counter each other is a thing of indescribable beauty. It's not even that the bass solos are "bad", it's just that when the entire trio is playing together I don't want it to stop. Everything moves and flows and undulates so wonderfully (as a trio) that it is a let-down when in every tune there comes 2 or 2.5 minutes of bass soloing which isn't nearly as interesting as when the whole trio was playing together.

That is the whole thing for me. The quality of this recording is so good... Bill's playing is gorgeous... Motian is right there for all of it... LaFaro's basslines are so interactive, just weaving life in and around everything the other two are playing... I just don't want that to stop. So when it does, it's a lull for a couple minutes, then they all get back down to business.

Don't even begin to consider skipping over this disc, though! This was an incredible band and every tune here is a winner. The performances are even better than the tunes! This is an essential purchase.

The first thing I noticed as I listened to this record for the first time was the incredible bass work by Scott LaFaro. His death was most unfortunate, but this recording definitely keeps his spirit alive. I was very intrigued, as he is for the most part the main instrument on this album, and he seems to be playing as if he knew it was his final performance.

The rest of the band performs wonderfully. Evans is a remarkable bebop pianist, having the ability to swing at times and carry out whimsical intertwining piano lines at other times, i.e. the intro to Alice in Wonderland. Drummer Paul Motian has an overall gentle touch throughout the entire album, using brushes a lot of the time, but also occasionally nears the point of attacking his drums during brief fills in songs such as the great verson of Miles Davis' "Solar."

Another thing I loved about the album was the sound. It has a great, tight club sound, and you can't even really tell that its live until you hear the light claps at the end. The instruments aren't mixed in extreme stereo (like all instruments to the extreme left or right speaker), which is very nice when listening to it in headphones.

All in all, there is not a bad song here. Don't let the multiple takes of most songs hinder your decision in buying this CD, as the trio is simply amazing at using improvisation to make each take totally unique. The album is great for both careful listening and background for conversation, which is what I think really defines an album as remarkable.

first, like another reviewer, i have owned this set of tunes on lp, cassette, and cd, and spent many hundreds of hours listening to it. trying to absorb all it has to offer. second, UNLIKE a different reviewer, i have always considered Scott LaFaro to be one of the most lyrical bass soloists of all time. as a bassist myself, he has long been my hero. however, what i would like to add is my feeling that the BEST thing about these sessions (and the others recorded on these dates) is the nearly psychic interaction between all three of the musicians. this is absolutely what a piano trio was meant to be. for after all, music does not happen in a vacuum. it is an exchange among players and listeners; even long after the music has been recorded, those listening to it are continuing its lifeforce.

Hard to believe this item, with its high sales rank, hasn't been reviewed yet. I'll put it simply: this is one of the greatest of all Evans' records, and henceforth one of the greatest of all jazz records. Certainly one of the finest records in this format (piano/bass/drums) you'll ever hear. The configuration of the disc, with alternates right after originals, might seem like a poor choice, but its redeemed by the freshness of performances. You don't might hearing these tunes twice in a row! RIP Scott LaFaro (and Bill himself at this point). Please pick up Waltz For Debby after (or before) this, containing the remainder of this amazing evening!!

I've owned every incarnation of this fabulous event -- vinyl, tape(s), CDs -- and still marvel at its perfect spontaneity. To suggest, as did one reviewer, that Scott LaFaro's brilliant solos are "clunky" annoyed me -- until said reviewer referred to Mr. LaFaro's instrument as a "bass guitar." Ah, well . . .

As a professional jazz pianist, I'd like to join the thousands who owe so much to this album and, once again, say "Thank you, gentlemen! I'm forever in your debt."

Its' beautiful. Its swings and transports you. Among other kinds of jazz, I'm a huge bop - hard bop fan and shame on me for not branching out and getting this one sooner. Maybe the timing had to be just so. I'd give this one to anyone with ears. And the 20bit is a very special recording, too. Gotta love those glasses tinking in the far, far background. Do youself or a friend a jazz-favor, hook up to this one. Any thoughts of who, currently on earth, might fill these shoes?

I echo everything 'A music fan from My computer said' about this record. This may be the best recording of this format (piano, bass and drums)ever. What a pity that the great Scott LaFaro was only around for such a short period of time. He truly was one of the all time great bass players.

I am relatively new to jazz. Based on reviews I read here at Amazon, I bought this album and I am so grateful to everyone who tried to describe just how good it is. Many reviewers have written about the bassist and the tragedy of his loss. They are correct, but this album is about more than a stunningly-good double bass player. The trio brought the form to a whole new level. Each of them has great skill, but the whole is still far greater than the sum of the parts. I know it's a little thing, but I also like the sounds in the background. You can hear change hitting a table and highball glasses jangling. The extra noises are enough to add atmosphere, but not so much as to distract. With my headphones on, I am truly transported. This is one of my favorite albums of all time.