BILL EVANS
Waltz For Debbie (Original Jazz Classics)
Reviewed by Ron Saranich

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Bill Evans once said "It bugs me that people try to analyze jazz as an intellectual theorem. It's not. It's feeling." When I listen to this cd, I understand more than ever what Evans meant. My emotions run the entire gamut, from pure joy to deep sorrow. Evans knew what he wanted to say and had the tremendous talent to clearly express himself.

Waltz For Debby was part of the legendary Village Vanguard sessions Evans' Trio performed in 1961. With Evans on piano, Scott LaFaro on bass, and Paul Motian on drums, the group applied to perfection Evans' theory that all three were equals involved in simultaneous improvisation. The results sound as if each band member was able to make their instrument sing. Simply put, this was one of the best piano trios of all time.

Ten days after this concert, Lafaro was killed in a car accident. Evans, crushed by this tragedy, turned deeper to heroin and stopped playing music, even at home, for almost a year. Critics feel he never again approached this peak level. However, the wonderful music lives on. My favorite tunes are three which, for me, evoke strong feelings of sadness, lost youth, and tender memories - "Waltz For Debby," "My Foolish Heart," and "Some Other Time." This is classic, heart-felt music that all jazz fans should purchase immediately or dust off from their collection and rediscover. Suffice to say, the man was a genius.

[Ed.Note: This is an older re-release that was just too good to forget about. You won't find it in the new release racks. Look around. It's worth it.]

© 2000 - Ron Saranich