Complete Gus Wildi Recordings

This colossal 2–hour release captures some of the unique pianist’s lesser-known work. The first of the four dates included on this edition was recorded with Jimmy Knepper’s quintet in New York in September 1957. Alto saxophonist Gene Quill, bassist Teddy Kotick and drummer Dannie Richmond round out the group. The second date is a very rare 1959 session with Evans accompanying singer Frank Minion. Featuring the full rhythm section of Miles’ legendary sextet – Evans, Paul Chambers and Jimmy Cobb – the quartet performs homage to the legendary album Kind Of Blue with excellent versions of So What and Flamenco Sketches and with original lyrics by Minion. The band also performs Monk’s modern standard Round Midnight. The third session – recorded in August 1957 – features Evans with the Charles Mingus sextet. The date is legendary in that Evans found out about it six hours prior to recording and sight-read everything to perfection. Not an easy task with Mingus compositions! The bonus tracks included complete Charles Mingus and Jimmy Knepper’s association with Gus Wildi. This means that not only does this astounding compilation contain Bill Evans’ complete recordings with Wildi, but Mingus’ and Knepper’s as well!

Disc 1

1. You Stepped Out of a Dream
2. Love Letters
3. Ogling Ogre
4. How High the Moon
5. Idol of the Flies
6. Avid Admirer
7. So What
8. Flamenco Sketches
9. Round Midnight
10. Memories of You
11. East Coasting
12. West Coast Ghost
13. Celia
14. Conversation

    Disc 2
    

15. Fifty-First Street Blues
16. East Coasting [Alt Take]
17. Memories of You [Alt Take]
18. Scenes in the City [#]
19. Nouroog [#]
20. New York Sketchbook [#]
21. Duke's Choice [#]
22. Slippers [#]
23. Bounce [#]
24. Slippers [#] [Alt Take]
25. Gee Baby, Ain't I Good to You [#]
26. Close As Pages in a Book [#]
27. Irrisitible You [#]

[#] = Bonus Tracks. Recorded 1957-1959.