Undercurrent [Original recording reissued, Original recording remastered]

Bill Evans, Jim Hall | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (July 16, 2002)
• Original Release Date: 1962
• Number of Discs: 1
• Format: Original recording reissued, Original recording remastered
• Label: Blue Note Records
• ASIN: B0000691U0
• Also Available in: Audio CD  |  Audio Cassette  |  Vinyl  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (28 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #5,856 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)
  • #25 in Music > Indie Music > Jazz > General

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

27 of 27 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Inexhaustible music--one of the year's best reissues., December 28, 2002

By 

Samuel Chell (Kenosha,, WI United States) - See all my reviews
(TOP 100 REVIEWER)    (HALL OF FAME REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Undercurrent (Audio CD)

Listeners might be forgiven for expecting a lot from a pairing of Bill Evans and Jim Hall. Not to worry. The album more than repays the investment (unlike the disappointing meeting between Bill and Stan Getz). One of the highlights is the up-tempo treatment of "My Funny Valentine" which, given its harmonies, makes complete musical sense. Moreover, the "alternate take" of the tune provides, if anything, a fresh and welcome perspective on Bill, who eschews the implied left-hand rhythm of the first version in favor of a masterfully-constructed, contagiously-swinging walking bass line (no comparable moment in Evans' vast discography comes to mind).

Thank goodness Blue Note thought to reissue the session (thankfully, too, capturing the sound of the piano was not left to Van Gelder). As for the vastly superior audio mixing of this edition to the original, I refer you to the previous reviewer's testimony. I will say that the album cover is one of the most evocative I've ever seen--sort of a variation on Millais' "Ophelia" as seen from below.

25 of 25 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars sublime, probing, beautiful music, March 7, 1999

By 

[e-mail] (Dallas, Tx.) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Undercurrent (Audio CD)

This is, quite simply, one of the most beautiful, poignant, and emotionally stirring jazz albums ever recorded. These two men were obviously led by the same muse, especially during these sessions. The ability that each one possesses for probing deeply into emotional and psychic realms is very much in evidence here. Listening to this recording is like eavesdropping on a very deep and private conversation between two creative geniuses.

One may ask, "Why so many ballads?" The answer would simply be, "Because they can." If you're a jazz musician, this album will teach you how to play ballads. If you're not a musician, it will teach you to feel life a little deeper.

Join these two masters as they lead you on a journey into your own soul, uncovering the fragile and mysterious beauty that is life.

Jason Bucklin

15 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The art of great conversation, October 5, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Undercurrent (Audio CD)

This is almost a perfect example of the kind of Jazz that Hall and Evans were masters at. I remember reading about Hall in a Who's Who of Jazz music as a guitar player who was oxymoronically labeled as 'too subtle' at times. Evans was already acknowledged at the time as an innovator of the Jazz conversation with the legendary trio...This date is brilliant, but never blinding. Check 'My Funny Valentine' for what telepathy means, as also the first take of Romain, where the melodic line seems to switch very naturally between the instruments. Also, the harmonic turns that both Hall and Evans give each take are worth listening every time around.

This will remain among my top jazz records of all time.