Dave Rickert
October 2002

Combing the Catalog
Archive <& /articles/verv_archive.tmp &>

By David Rickert

Alone
Bill Evans
1968

With the exception of a select few like Art Tatum, before 1968 pianists who were comfortable working solo were difficult to find. The only time pianists were heard unaccompanied was when the bassist and drummer were summoned to subdue a rowdy patron in the bar. Even Monk, who recorded solo numbers often, merely paid homage to the stride masters that preceded him without breaking any new ground. Leave it to Bill Evans to record the first major solo piano record that advanced the concept, for if he couldn’t do it, no one else could. Rest assured that every cocktail pianist from the past thirty years has worn out a copy of this record, but as one might expect Evans is capable of delivering far more than just background music for barflies. Working through a handful of gently swinging standards, Evans seduces the listener with rich, glistening chords that hang in the air like falling leaves. He also has a keen rhythmic sense at his disposal, whether the tempo is taken at a gentle stroll or a brisk gait, and can fashion endless variations of basic melodies seemingly on the spot. It’s hard to go wrong with an Evans album, and this one is no exception. Those who have already been hooked on his impressionistic miniatures will embrace this reissue, especially with remastering that captures every nuance. A generous helping of alternate takes more than doubles the original playing time.

At Basin Street
Clifford Brown/Max Roach
1956

It’s worth noting that the Clifford Brown/Max Roach Quintet was in full swing about a year before Miles Davis formed his first classic quintet, if only to highlight what might have developed had Brown and pianist Richie Powell not met with an untimely demise (they were both killed in a car accident). At the time of this recording a young buck named Sonny Rollins had replaced Harold Land, and considering what Rollins became in a few short years, there’s no telling what Brown, Roach & co. could have devised given the chance. At any rate, this is the last recording of the group, and as with their previous records, it’s a furious, scrappy delight. Brown and Roach were extending the advances of bop by working over the changes of standards, messing with tempos and rhythms and creating new heads in an effort to find new textures and avenues to explore. Unlike previous records which were filled with fast-paced blowouts, the group seems content to explore medium tempos, coaxing novel melodic concepts out of the material much like Davis was concurrently. There’s still plenty of fiery blowing from Brown, who was already generating some serious heat at the age of 25, and Rollins proves he can hold his own with the blistering trumpeter. Most of the records by the Brown/Roach Quintet have achieved legendary status; if only everyone could lay claim to an epitaph such as this. Of course the usual selection of alternate takes and false starts is generously included.

Bill Evans-Alone
Tracks: 1. Here's That Rainy Day 2. A Time for Love 3. Midnight Mood 4. On a Clear Day (You Can See Forever) 5. Never Let Me Go 6. The Two Lonely People 7. Here's That Rainy Day (alternate take) 8. A Time for Love (alternate take) 9. Midnight Mood (alternate take) 10. On a Clear Day (You Can See Forever) (alternate take) 11. Never Let Me Go (alternate take) 12. Medley: All the Things You Are/Midnight.
Personnel: Bill Evans-solo piano.

Clifford Brown/Max Roach-At Basin Street
Tracks: 1. What Is This Thing Called Love? 2. Love Is a Many Splendored Thing 3. I'll Remember April 4. Powell's Prances 5. Time 6. The Scene Is Clean 7. Gertrude's Bounce 8. Step Lightly (Junior's Arrival) 9. Flossie Lou 10. What Is This Thing Called Love? (alternate take) 11. Love Is a Many Splendored Thing 12. Love Is a Many Splendored Thing (alternate take) 13. I'll Remember April (Breakdown) 14. I'll Remember April (alternate take) 15. Flossie Lou (alternate take).
Personnel: Clifford Brown-trumpet; Sonny Rollins-tenor saxophone; Richie Powell-piano; Max Roach-drums; George Morrow-bass.

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