Sunday At The Village Vanguard

OK -- you've made your move on the couch, Miles Davis Kind of Blue has just played out but she's just getting warmed up, so what now? You gonna say "excuse me for just a second, don't go anywhere", go put on this record, and resume the snogging.

I have always found Bill Evans to sound like "falling down" -- the sun falling down, the rain falling down, the snow falling down. What makes the Trio so transcendent is the dialogue between piano and bass with the percussion actually guiding the journey.

It's tempting to dismiss Sunday At The Village Vanguard as safe, geriatric and boring, the sort of music you would expect to hear in an upscale hotel lobby bar. But that isn't really fair--the album deserves a closer listen. In most popular (as distinguished from classical) improvisatory music, the function of the rhythm section is to lay down a groove, keep time, and provide a rhythmic and harmonic structure for the soloist to blow over. Bill Evans has had a lot of trios over the years, but this is probably the first one in which each member of the trio could and was expected to fluidly take on any role: time keeping, harmony, soloing, holding down a groove or pulse, etc. This required intense listening from all the members of the trio and is actually very difficult to do well. A close listen will reveal that the trio is communicating almost telepathically, and that the playing is exquisite, which accounts for the legendary status of this album, especially among jazz buffs. That said, if you aren't willing to put in the effort to intensively listen to this music, it will most likely come across as safe, geriatric and boring. That is why I actually prefer other recordings of the Bill Evans Trio, especially Turn Out The Stars, which was recorded shortly before Evans died. Evans pours his heart and soul into those performances with unmatched ferocity, knowing he didn't have long to live. So, how to rate Sunday At The Village Vanguard? Well, for what Evans was going for, it's pretty much perfection, an easy 5/5. However, I have to be honest--I don't really enjoy listening to it that much.

Unexpectedly easy listening, super accessible and engaging. The live format works well, love the chatter and glass clinking. Even though the band's namesake is on Piano I thought the bass was way more impressive. Has got to be the world's most undercover drummer; he's somehow always there but never there. Would definitely benefit from several more listens. All Of You is the highlight. Although lots of the stuff from this era is difficult to relate to and tempting to dismiss, this exercise has made interesting to imagine what it would've sounded like to me in the context of that time in space. Also have been dishing out lots of five stars lately.

I listened to this 8 times yesterday, and will do so again today. This is like the jazz album you wanted to discover to help you get a better understanding. Backstory is amazing, it's just incredible brass free jazz.

J'ai demandé à Robert Dimery ce que faisait cet album dans la liste des 1001 et il m'a très rapidement répondu (Robert et moi sommes très proches) qu'il voulait à la base ajouter un autre album mais a cliqué sans le faire exprès sur une playlist appelée "3 hours jazz chillax music" et l'a insérée dans les 1001. Robert est quelqu'un d'extrêmement tête en l'air.

One of the first albums I listened to when getting into jazz. Amazing brassless jazz album. Just a piano, drums and bass and it sounds great.

One of the more remarkable displays of virtuosity you're going to hear. Not from headliner and reluctant cover-boy Bill Evans, but by upright bassist Scott LaFaro. He bounds all the way across the fingerboard playing counters and solos, yet never loses sight of the melody. Evans leads incredibly well from his piano, and very selflessly. His sense of timing and dynamics on album closer (and LaFaro composed) Jade Visions brought me to tears. They clearly knew how to get the best from each other. The Stereo image on the recording is impeccable, capturing every nuance of the players and the club. If there was any downside, it's that I'm often left wanting the drums to do more, aside from the welcome solo on All of You (Take 2). Maybe it's the inner rock-child that still lives inside me, but sometimes there is such a thing as too tasteful. Today's the first time I've heard this trio and any of its member play, and I'm already crushed this was the final time they had a chance to. Scott LaFaro died in a car accident soon after. I couldn't think of any better tribute. PSA to anyone listening on Spotify: The bonus tracks have been mixed in with the originals, following straight after the preferred take. The correct track listing should be: "Gloria's Step" (take 2) – 6:09 "My Man's Gone Now" – 6:21 "Solar" – 8:52 "Alice in Wonderland" (take 2) – 8:34 "All of You" (take 2) – 8:17 "Jade Visions" (take 2) – 3:44

I have no doubt this is a quality jazz album, but sheesh I nearly fell asleep. The very long bass solo in Solar is just too much for me to handle. I can’t take it. Not enough excitement. This is the background music at a cocktail hour not a concert for which I would want to pay money.

Les voy a ser franco y honesto: es demasiado refinado para mí. Los barriobajeros no escuchamos este tipo de obras maestras.

Absolute classic, incredible from start to finish.

A jazz album worthy of some serious superlatives. Blissful stuff from open to close. I am a sucker for Alice in Wonderland; this nearly gets 5 starts just for that track.

Admittedly, I'm not a very sophisticated jazz appreciator; however, this seemed almost featureless, with only parts of "Alice In Wonderland" eliciting a knowing stroke of the chin. Harsh 2*

Fine jazz, not what I would choose to listen to though.

Culture has been cruel to impressionistic music. Whether Debussy or Evans, once innovative theorising and playing has become background listening, never definite, but just an impression. When it is difficult to grasp the melody, you only get a sense of it and a sense of the harmony and a sense of the structure. Such washiness sounds like a Sunday - lounging, lazing, lacking the structure of the rest of the week. Perhaps there is nominal determinism at play here. No doubt, a keener ear, better acquainted with jazz, may hear more structure, more melody, more direction. However, for me, it is all hard to distinguish behind the gentle murmurs and clapping, not because they are undeserved, but because the balance between the artist and audience is exactly the same as between diners and café background playlist. Sunday brunchtime probably. I don't enjoy writing any of that - the drums sounds great in parts; the bassist is ; Evans is obviously an exemplary pianist - but so what. 1.5 This is nonsense. Sure it‘s not *really* nonsense but… This is a closed shop. What is the particular brilliance of Bill Evans‘ ‘touch’ as a pianist to those who don’t play piano or listen religiously to recordings of piano players? What is a key recording in the history of the development of modal jazz to those who wouldn’t know Lydian from Adam? What is a watershed moment in the democratisation of the jazz trio to those who have heard less than three of them in their whole life - and didn’t (and couldn’t) pay close attention to their music even at that. The answer is, as most of the people present (and audible!) when this recording was made clearly knew, that the only thing this music really offers most of us is something pleasant to ignore while we chat to each other and get bluttered on a Sunday afternoon. Well it’s Tuesday and I’m sober. Even worse - yesterday we had a Sam Cooke Live record from the same era and it was everything this show wasn’t - a document of music-making that was irresistibly social; not just acknowledging of an audience but dragging them into participation and responding to their energy in turn. Humans, together, instinctively grasping the inexplicable power of music. That was worth recording for posterity - this wasn’t. This was worth recording for students of Jazz. Good luck to those students. 1/5

What a great record. The playing is top notch. You can be floored by this group or you can put it on as background music. That is not an easy accomplishment. I'll keep this one in rotation for killer laid back jazz. Really glad to have heard this

Music can serve as a rush or atmosphere, this is all atmosphere and it’s amazing. Excellent. The deep background conversation noise really adds something. Excellent, jumping off point

My jazz preferences sit in the seething demented and transcendental ecstatic sectors (late Coltrane goes down well), so this is just too plain nice to live long with me. But it is rather nice.

A gorgeous stroll with people who make you smile and laugh through a bustling city in winter.

Classic jazz instrumental Good for background

Just another jazz album, nothing dreadful.

Would have been nice background in a piano bar. Wasn't that great to have on whilst working.

meeh

Nice background music. I don't think I have ever heard of Bill Evan's, this is one that I will throw on for a dinner party or to just have something on. A nice collection of Jazz. Talented!

I love this album -- an amazing trio giving all three guys room to show how accomplished they were. So sad that the bassist died 11 days later in a car accident.

The bones of jazz. Great to listen to as background music 🎶

Masterpiece

Really good. Not a jazz guy but the skill is there. It is also more approachable than a lot of jazz but not fading into the background.

Beautiful chemistry between these three. One of Scott La Faro's last recordings. Bill's voicings and phrasings in this performance are masterful.

sophisticated focus music, great for work

5/5 - Excellent

Nice.

Phenomenal Jazz Classic, great recording

Not much into jazz, but you listen to this, you understand what makes jazz special. Phenomenal musicianship

A stunner. Loved every second. Absolutely beautiful

SO GOOD.

Smooth, calm, relaxing

This was extremely pleasant background music for the stuff I was doing around the house. I was a little leery because sometimes I find the improv parts of jazz to be annoying, but this combination of instruments and chill sound worked well for me.

What a great album! Very soothing jazz.

Really nice find. Like a Christmas present that someone forgot to give you - total surprise. Wish this list had more of these little gems...

carai, que BAIXARIA (rá) esse aqui. o cara largano o dedo no contrabaixão memo, foda-se. bonito demais. bonita homenagem pro contrabaixista, btw. só pedrada.

i was pretty satisfied with every song on this album and liked them all however i dont think i was thrilled enough by it to call it a 5 star album but i will happily rate it a 4

I want to listen to this in front of a log fire in a comfy chair drinking good whisky with a few friends.

Nr. 143/1001 Gloria's Step Take 2 3/5 Gloria's Step Take 3 3/5 My Man's Gone Now 3/5 Solar 3/5 Alice In Wonderland Take 2 3/5 Alice In Wonderland Take 1 3/5 All Of You Take 2 3/5 All Of You Take 3 3/5 Jade Visions Take 2 3/5 Jade Visions Take 1 3/5 Average: 3,0 It's okay I guess, but not something I would ever listen to actively. Maybe as background music.

Very cool and relaxing. Alice In Wonderland does certainly capture your attention for a moment.

I realised something masterful was afoot when I noticed these dainties weren't only sighing and swaying but giggling and winking at me too.

Its elevator music, but really good elevator music. Bill Evans is obviously the focal point on piano, but the dude playing bass was on some other shit. I enjoyed this music best when I focused on the bass and let the drums and piano just kinda fade a bit into the backround. Like all jazz I definitely recommend good headphones/speakers

Live jazz is best enjoyed live.

not really my genre of music but nice nonetheless

Nice to throw on for either active or passive listening. The ambience is great, and the mastering really sells it.

Absolutely loved it, best so far.

The best jazz I've ever heard. Minimal yet tight, full of interesting ideas. Should listen to it more.

Easy 5

Great old barroom jazz!

Jazz for DAYS

A Fairytale of an Album Atmospheric in both the figural and the literal senses, this album transports the listener to 1961 NYC, whispering like the handsomest gentleman you’ve ever seen, “Allow me.” This is nothing short of elf-song: piano keys that sparkle and a bass line full of frolic. Sweet and cool chord progressions with just enough dissonance to delight. Yummy. Melodies that never demand: they turn and ask, “May I?” When the variations come back around, you’ll be settled in, no worries, not a care. The background chatter makes you smile at times, adds to the cool, the easiness of it all. A most enchanting gentleman: you’ll let this one take you out again and again. My Man’s Gone Now (Live) Dark and enticing. Hinting. Surprising. The bass speaks the truth, and the piano nods. All of You (Take 2) (Live) Bright and exhilarating and just in time. (The songs are placed brilliantly on this album.) Each instrument shows off its individuality in this casual and quirky setting. Delightful. The drums’ll make you tingle. Alice in Wonderland (Take 1) (Live) A landscape painting of a song. Fantastic and frenetic without any frenzy. Too smooth to lose its cool. If it hadn’t already, the trio just won your trust. Absolutely in control. Enjoy the view. Jade Visions (Take 1) (Live) Restfulness defined. Be at peace with delicate cymbals, lullaby bass, trickling treble keys. The prettiest place you’ve ever been? Step aboard. We’re going there. What a way to end an album. More than 5 stars. Too good to be rated. Highly recommend.

Wow. I never thought outer space would feel so cozy.

Legendary

Awesome. Love it. Harmonies seem a little bit sparser than in his other work - leaving a bit more open to the listeners feeling. It's a very good trio

Beautiful, fun, punchy jazz - this is a great album, highly recommend!

Sublime

Love it, tranquil when I need tranquil. Deserving of repeat listens immediately.

Bill at the peak of his powers.

A mí juego me llamaron.

Brilliant jazz album love it.

The Jazz Piano Goat

An absolute powerhouse of geniuses playing some of the most influential, complex, technical AND heartwarming music ever played on a stage…what more could you want? This album lures you in with deceptively simple song structures but keeps you invested with its technical intimacy.

Evans's democratic vision of trio cooperation reaches its sublime peak here, with his understated leadership guiding three voices into one through a legendary session of musical telepathy.

A great jazz album. I did not like the mix in headphones, having a bass guitar next to my left ear felt unpleasant. Once I changed to mono it was a great easy listening album.

Just lovely.

bill evans en su prime

no se si bill evans puede hacer algo mal

First time listening to this album. Will definitely liston to again and put it on the Want list!

Bill Evans is my favorite jazz pianist/musician/everything. I adore Bill Evans. I own the complete works of Bill Evans master collection. I am heavily biased here. Bill has such a way of melodically pulling in listeners to absurd chord changes in a way where you forget you’re listening to a virtuosic pianist who may be the best musician to ever live. My best comparison to rock music is Rush, another trio of the best players of all of their instruments making music that is technically innovative but simultaneously accesible and easy listening. Also Scott LaFaro (bass) is just an insane talent who tragically died at 25; can’t imagine the beauty they would have continued to create had he not. I beg with the list that Waltz for Debby is on here, or at least Undercurrent.

Very good album One of his best …

Nice jazz

Immediate impression: I fucking love this. I could get lost in this style of music all day, it really tickles a part of my brain that I thoroughly enjoy. The only criticism I have is that it's hard to attribute a feeling to this. It's nice to have in the background, but I have to be under very specific circumstances to be able to lean into this. All that being said, I really really love this. Such a nice respite from the world.

++: Gloria's Step, My Man's Gone Now, Solar, Alice in Wonderland, All of You, Jade Visions 9,9/10

Drikke whiskey sour med Jarle.

Jazz always sounds better at The Vanguard.

Just really really good. Some of the best musicians playing their best. 5/5

SUBLIME 5 5 5 5 just beautiful

I love jazz

I am not sophisticated enough to understand why this is amaZing but I do enjoy it and like a pleb it makes me think of snoopy

Otro hermoso álbum de Bill Evans. Leí que fue lo último que grabó con el contrabajista Scott LaFaro antes de su fallecimiento, y que las grabaciones fueron elegidas por Bill Evans para mostrar los mejores momentos de LaFaro, destacando que todos los temas tienen solos interpretados por él, siendo esta una manera de honrar su recuerdo.

Bill Evans is just one of those people that feels like he should have some sort of "sold his soul to the devil" type mythos about him. it'd add some fun irreverence to what is a generally sad and bleak story to hear about. his friend said that his death in 1980 was the "longest suicide in history" -- i am praying to God my life doesn't bring me down such a dark path that my friends refer to my death as such. my god, what an album though. i'm a tad basic, so cool jazz already somewhat appeals to me as something i can approach and appreciate (especially as i listen to more jazz to compare it to) and something about Evans and the band he has assembled here makes the whole experience feel like magic. i swear, there's a "Daisy" quote here, a song that i find to be corny and dripping with gay 90s foppishness, and it somehow works. of course, i don't think anything tops the last track here, the solemnity of it contrasting all the bright and sweet feelings of the five tracks fire. if you're a musician, you can make magic anywhere, and a lot of magic was made at the Village Vanguard that night.

Production on this is great

Love this album. Great listen. Beautiful music. Well recorded.

True jazz

Masterpiece

Excellent

5 and more . I would love to rate it as 10 out of 10 if I could

So very peaceful, didn’t notice it repeat

Nice

Dypt behagelig og engasjerende å høre på. Alle tre musikerne spiller så respektfullt med hverandre. Jeg digger ideen til Evans om den demokratiske trioen. Evans styrer skipet behendig og selvsikkert med hans endeløst vakre pianospilling. Bassisten var selvfølgelig kjempeflink, og det er enormt trist at han døde i en så ung alder rett etter dette var spilt inn. Flere av soloene hans sprudlet virkelig i ørene mine. Samtidig så ble det kanskje liiiitt for mye av det gode i blant. Det samme kan ikke sies om trommisen, som limer alt i hop med presisjon og eleganse. Desidert et nydelig, grasiøst og sjarmerende album altså. Ikke noe å si på det.

Intimate recording of virtuosic prowess from all three. Love the block chords of the piano dancing over the endlessly searching double bass underpinned by the restless drums.

Wow. I LOVE this album. I wish I'd known about it earlier. Perfect classy and chill music. I will definitely have this on hand more often.

Minimal, clean, creative, and brilliant live jazz. Requires a little focused listening, but very rewarding. Evans might be my favorite pianist ever. Best song: Alice in Wonderland

Top tier jazz album.

Beautiful, elegant, timeless. All the individual performers’ work stands out so distinctly.