| A complete never before released live
performance from Koblenz, Germany, December 9, 1979 by the final incarnation of
the Bill Evans Trio.
Taped in Koblenz, Germany just a few
months before the pianist’s untimely death,
its highlights include beautiful versions
of Jimmy Rowles’ “The Peacocks”, various
Evans’ originals and an unusual reading
of Miles Davis’ “Solar”, a tune he only
rarely recorded.
Includes 12-page booklet
In early 1979, Bill Evans’ beloved brother Harry committed
suicide. The pianist was devastated and began a run that would
lead to his own death on September 15, 1980. Consumed by
pain and awash in alcohol and drugs, Evans nevertheless
undertook a long international tour for the remaining months of
1979. For his performance in Koblenz, Evans performed his
typical repertoire from that period, including both standard tunes
and some of his own compositions. The pianist is featured here
with his final trio, which included the aforementioned bassist
Marc Johnson and drummer Joe LaBarbera, who were both very
young musicians. According to LaBarbera, the full pressure of
playing with the celebrated Bill Evans fell mostly on the trio’s
bassist, who was always living under the shadow of the late
great Scott LaFaro. Privately recorded by an audience member,
the sound quality on this performance is obviously not perfect.
The chatter from the audience can sometimes be distracting.
However, it doesn’t prevent us from enjoying one of the last
unburied treasures of Bill Evans’ career.
|