Sunday At The Village Vanguard

Nice but not a huge instrumental fan day to day

Do you like jazz?

Really interesting to hear the different takes right after each other. For example, Take 3 of Gloria's Step sounds much more lively rihht off the top than Take 2 does. Didn't listen too deeply to this one, but I would probably listen again.

“ I don’t get jazz. It all sounds the same. I mean it’s nice. But it all sounds the same.” - Kori Agreed

I'm a big fan of this album. Ideal listening while cooking for Thanksgiving. The musical choices all feel very tasteful and clean, while also being expressive and creative. Bill Evans on the piano is lovely, and the bass and drums also shine throughout the set. I love this style of jazz - it feels comforting to me. 9/10.

Not sure I truly understand jazz. I’m sure there is something unique about this album. But it sounded like good jazz.

This is an incredible jazz album. I loved the vibes here

Objectively, this performance was tight, cool, sophisticated, and difficult to really understand how much goes into it. I feel as though I would need to fully focus on each of the musicians here and how they are speaking to each other, how they are working together as this super talent of a musical trio, to fully appreciate this to its fullest. I found it difficult to fully lock in for the full duration of the album. My focus tended to slide after a while, as the music slowly fades in the background again and again. Catching myself again and again, "focus on the music James" I keep telling myself over and over. The music itself chronically fades into coffee lounge jazz, still, a pleasant cascade of background music. Pleasant being the key word here, I did enjoy this quite a bit. But I guess what I'm getting at is that I lack the musical/jazz knowledge to fully appreciate this album to its fullest. This kind of music I feel like is somewhat locked up behind bars to your average listener, (not to say I'm average), but for most people this would come across as classic ordinary jazz. I do at least know that this is far from ordinary. However, I only have an inkling of the intricacies of this language these musicians are speaking to one another over the course of this live recording. For that I find myself hard pressed to give this more than a 4.

Great recording, especially for a live show. I need to revisit this as I didn't give it a fair chance (listened to it while driving) but really enjoyed it.

Jaaaaaazzz! Light session music dbass piano drums

really clueless about jazz but it sounds smooth and great for focus music. Tracks to Track: Gloria's Step

Awesome Jazz, the piano skills are crazy.

Slow, not my kind of music

I used to not like jazz. I still don't, but i used to too. I can appreciate the artistry and the talent. There were a few nice moments on here, the musicians are great for sure, and the murmurs of the audience make the recording feel present and intimate but im not really moved by this style of jazz. My rating reflects my appreciation of the music but also my lukewarm enthusiasm for it.

Pre: know Bill Evans plays jazz piano but that's it Post: nice chill jazz for the most part , good to play on a rainy day

Smooth

Like a relaxing, expensive dinner

Instrumental jazz just bores me to tears. Good instrumentation though.

This was really beautiful and masterfully played

Bill Evans, Scott LaFaro and Paul Motian were not pushing any boundaries musically. But the interplay between each instrument and improvisations on each other made this a fascinating listen.

If I have learned anything so far in these albums, it is that I don't seem to be a very big fan of jazz. I thought I might like it more, since I like rock tunes with a jazzy feel. For me, the piano in this is too sharp on the ears, to the point it bothers me, and I turned the volume down. It's not repulsive, like some of the garbage on this list, I'd say a 2.33 rounded down to 2.

I don’t think any album will make me like jazz. Most of the bass sections are very messy. I didn’t care for it at all. Like I’ve stated before, jazz is just waiting music.

No

Smooth, cool jazz. A relaxing and enjoyable experience.

There’s jazz that I like to listen to, jazz that I am fine if it’s playing but don’t particularly like to listen to, and jazz that I don’t like. This is the second one. Also maybe that’s my scale for music generally and not just jazz? I will say this though, that bass player was playing like it was his last week on earth.

I’m sorry but I cannot listen to this. I would rate this negative stars if I could.

This album is undoubtedly very pretty, and the musicianship is fantastic. I love some good bass, and the piano playing was gorgeous. However, I would only choose to throw this on for background music not to just listen to for the fun of it. 3 stars for the talent though.

Great small group jazz. So many bass solos. I'd listen anytime I want something low key.

Felt like early morning at a coffee shop. You’re sitting at an outside table with the sun warming your skin, slowly waking up. Sipping your espresso and nibbling on your shortbread cookie (made in-house of course), you watch the people emerging from their homes and setting out on their days while listening to the lively and energetic Bill Evans Trio playing on the coffee shop speakers. The jazz mixes with the bustle of the street like cream mixes with coffee—taking something wonderful and making it just a little better.

Great jazz performance

Not my type of music, maybe if i drink a beer in a jazz club, it would be fine.

Jazz 🤮

Top tier elevator music right here.

The music is fine. The inclusion of background noise, including incessant talking, is moronic. Subtracts entirely.

Классный расслабленный джаз. Сложно тут что-то еще прокомментировать. Это просто очень хорошо. Во время прослушивания ощущаешь себя толи в нуарном фильме, то ли в дорогом ресторане (скорее, даже, второе). Люблю джаз. А кто нет?

This is the perfect soundtrack to complete your annual self review to. You’ll realize you have learned a lot and you are proud of yourself and it’s okay that you wish you didn’t have this job… now you can see the multi-faceted ways you’ve grown as a person because you have both this obligation and your dreams hanging in the balance, which actually creates a weird symbiosis And it’s okay to want fish and a jazz date with Coco. A fishy jazz date with Coco. Five stars!

I love drinking coffee and listening to jazz and thinking about the way the light hits the trees and feeling content in just experiencing that moment

Jupp, Jazz. Gediegen und ziellos.

The jazziest jazz to ever jazz

One of my favourite jazz albums of all time. Iconic opener.

Thoughts before listening: I am pretty sure that Bill Evans is a pianist, and I do typically enjoy piano led jazz. In general with Jazz artists I know and recognize a lot of the big names, but I have not actually listened to their work. That is definitely the case with Bill Evans so I am glad to have a reason to listen. This also seems as if it will be a live show which hopefully means a looser, improv heavy set. Review: This is very pleasant piano-led jazz with minimal instrumentation, just Bill on keys with a bass player and drummer. I quite enjoy this sound and especially love the interplay between bass and piano. This can easily slip into background music, but while I have made the comment a number of times on other albums on this list, the musicianship here really draws me in. My critique of albums as background music tends to be for more modern, electronic style albums, and I think its the organic instrumentation and free form live setting that keeps this interesting. I can picture myself in a New York jazz club sipping a cocktail and watching these world class musicians create these sounds onstage. 4-stars

I don't listen to enough jazz, and I really should.

The only 3 instruments I require to appreciate Jazz. Love Evans and maybe played this one once or twice years ago. What a wonderful tribute to the bassist who passed away shortly after the recording, which Evans and the label rushed into stores to honor and capitalize on (respectively) his death.

Incredible jazz album

not my cup of jazz

Rewards those who actively listen. It's good background jazz, but the musicality is straight up great.

Easy 5 for me. I love the performances, the live recording and the mix. Musical scientists doing their work. Classic and necessary listening.

Seems like some standard lounge jazz with a bit of improv, especially on the bass. This didn't really move me at any particular point. It was nice background music.

Not a Jazz man...still not...maybe when I am older, sitting in a quite cafe with a wiskhey and feeling a bit melancholy...maybe

I feel like I just don't have the musical understanding to really appreciate Jazz sometimes. This album doesn't jump out at me as something I love, but you read more into it and people that have a keener ear point out the incredible artistry that went into this set. Aparently the musicians are in perfect harmony and playing off each other "telepathically." I just don't have the ear for it, I'm sure if I were a Jazz musician it would blow my mind. When I was reading up about this album, I did find it interesting to know that the bass player featured here, Scott LaFaro, died only 11 days after they played together here. RIP. Sort of surreal to listen knowing that, kind of a meditation on how life is fleeting and you never know what tomorrow will bring. Kinda like Jazz. Standouts: None really, whole album just kinda flows. Rating: 3.5/5

Pas mon style de musique mais passable 2/5

I tried, but it's just... Nothing.

Bill Evans is one of the absolute top jazz pianists, and this is one of his best albums - and was recorded live. Pitchfork: n/a Rolling Stone: n/a Best Songs (really, any of them) Solar Alice in Wonderland - Take 2

so good. Loved it.

Short, sweet and very pleasant to listen to, a background album, but every song sounds complete, full and with reason. Will keep it in rotation.

A warm and beautiful jazz album. The fact that it’s a live recording is irrelevant, since you barely hear the crowd. I’m not a big fan of this kind of trios, I usually like my jazz with at least some horns peppered on it. The complete absence of horns throughout the albums makes it a bit too quiet for me, and I often end up listening as background music – which is a shame, because the piano is amazing and clearly deserves the listener’s full attention. But whenever I make the effort to listen with focus, I’m awed by the subtlety of Bill Evans. The bass and drums offer a solid performance as well. My only regret is that it’s always so perfectly contained. I wish they’d go a bit crazy sometimes. 8/10

Pop music? maybe at the time? Anyway without feeling anything extraordinary this album has (the bass solo is something), I confess I had a CD I liked to listen from Bill Evans (conversatrions with mywelf) now and then... as ambiance music.

Easy to slip into, like fireplace jazz. But if you listen a little closer and let yourself drift without getting lost, you start hearing the progressions, and behind the great Bill Evans, there are the loose yet free bass lines (I’m just discovering the amazing Scott LaFaro, who sadly died at only 25 not long after this live set), and a very delicate drumming. There is a real magical chemistry between the 3 musicians, a chemistry where each of them can shine. It’s also live, and the recording is stunningly well captured. Pure joy … as long as you’re in the right mood for this type of very smooth jazz.

The jazziest jazz to ever jazz, the ur-jazz. I know there's skill involved but not skill I'm interested in

Just what I needed this morning.

So simple but also fantastic. I can see why this could be considered the peak of the genre.

Pleasant/10

this one is nice and chill, was a good listen Will I listen to again: 80%

не часто слушаю джаз, но тут все норм, претензий нет.

This was a good background jazz listen, but nothing mind-blowing IMO. Three stars.

I am feeling like this album should be named "Scott LaFaro Plays Bass featuring the Bill Evans Trio." LaFaro really goes off playing bass on this one. He's just all over this recording and his bass is so prevalent on each track. This is fine jazz. It makes me feel like I am at a fancy restaurant staring at a 6 oz steak that cost $59.99 and I had to pay $11 extra for some mashed potatoes to go with it. So if that's the vibe Bill Evans is going for her then he definitely hit the mark. This is good background music. As I have been saying a few times on here, I am bad with jazz and don't understand what is and isn't very good when it comes to jazz. I have preferred other jazz albums on this album listing.

You could not pay me to be interested in this sort of slow, toothless jazz. I know jazz is an art form that I am not privy to. I wish I got it but this one… was such a hard listen. Bored to tears. Worst thing an album can be for me

As a non-cultured jazz listener I can well believe i'm missing something fantastic here, but it left me cold. Lack of brass lent to what felt like a repetitive listen with each song blending into one. Perfectly good for the background of a hotel lobby, and I did enjoy the slight 'leakage' of the glasses chinking and crowd chatting from the live recording. 4/10

Sympa mais ce genre de musiques j'ai l'impression que ça se ressemble tout le temps !

This album helps you realize and appreciate just how much beauty you can make with just 3 instruments. No brass, no woodwinds, just piano, bass and drums. And it provides every bit of an intricate and emotional experience.

Great jazz album; will listen again

Left me brassless

Wish every Sunday morning went like this music sounds. The bass of Scott LaFaro is a revelation, his propulsive lines undergirding the more placid chordal surfaces Evans offers up here. Give me a Bill Evan’s Trio afterworld.

Excellent jazz album

Very enjoyable, I actually unknowingly listened to the 1 hour deluxe cd version assuming the different takes of the songs were purposefully added to show variation in takes of the same song and, although it wasn’t the case for the original release, that’s still how it cane across for me and I liked it. The actual album felt incredibly professional all the way through, you can tell they’re close knitted as a trio because everything compliments each other well and the ability to keep in time and play like that is masterful. Also, other than the piano being amazingly played, the bass player was a phenomenal, it felt a bit like he was holding himself back at parts, especially on Gloria’s step. This actually doesn’t even feel like a live album as well as it’s so well recorded and made, the clapping and quiet taking in the background with gentle clinks of tea cups adds to the calm atmosphere. I haven’t even mentioned the fact that this is so good without any brass as well, pulling that off is crazy. Favourites: all. Overall, 8/10.

I’m a casual jazz listener and can’t always tell the great from the very good. But I can tell there are some special moments recorded here. Put your phone away, pour yourself some of your favourite beverage and make sure nothing will disturb you over the next 45 minutes. (The album on Spotify has a ton of extra tracks, including multiple takes of the same songs. You don’t want that unless you specifically want to study differences. For the original release, check the track list on Wikipedia and make a playlist with only those tracks) 4/5

I will not include the bonus takes in this review. Bill Evans was a legendary jazz pianist who influenced the harmonic language of his instrument. He studied classical music before moving to New York City to work with the likes of bandleader George Russell and Miles Davis. In fact, Evans was part of Davis's sextet when the latter recorded Kind of Blue, an album I thoroughly enjoyed a couple of months ago on my album journey. Shortly after those sessions, Evans left Davis's group to begin his career as a leader, forming a jazz trio with bassist Scott LaFaro and drummer Paul Motian. The three of them would work across both traditional jazz standards and original compositions, with an added emphasis on interplay among themselves. This musical kinship spanned over two studio albums and two live albums recorded at the Village Vanguard jazz club in New York City, only to be cut short by LaFaro's tragic death in a car accident. For as much as Sunday at the Village Vanguard is billed as a performance of Bill Evans and his trio, the track selections for this record were deliberately made by Evans as a tribute to LaFaro. Not only is this record bookended with two of Lafaro's striking original compositions, "Gloria's Step" (Take 2) and "Jade Visions" (Take 2), but the rest of the chosen covers were the best showcase of the young prodigy's eclectic soloing and countermelodic basslines. That's not to say Evans took a backseat; rather, the three of them played well off each other in such synchronicity. Evans made the most out of his block chords and modal inflections, and Paul Motian effectively utilized drum brushes on the quieter moments while modulating towards thunderous bombast on cuts like Miles Davis's "Solar" and the sprawling take on Sammy Fain's theme for the Alice in Wonderland film. Would it have been nice to have had the entire Village Vanguard performance packaged in one album? Sure, it would have. But as a curated experience of what was considered the brightest and best of Bill Evans's short-lived trio, I'd say this record hits it out of the park.

Bill Evans. Scott LaFaro, & Paul Motion! Awesome playing great straight ahead jazz!

good! i just don't understand jazz enough to maybe appreciate it. nice bg music.

Enjoyed this, it reminded me of going to jazz clubs in New York with my uncle. Reading about the album I was saddened by the tragic death of Scott LaFaro.

Beautiful jazz.

Another live album, aye? It's been a good while since I last got inundated with these. I thought I'd exhausted the supply, though I guess I need to get back into the swamp. I'll spare the rigmarole for why I find these albums hard to engage with and just hop right into it. Oh no, it's a jazz album. Oh no, it has 5+ minute songs. We are currently at three out of my four deadly album sins. I always forget what the fourth one is, though, so we may already have a full house. Anyways, this isn't half bad. The performances and mastering are both pretty commendable - I lost track of the fact that I was listening to a live album multiple times throughout this. Admittedly, that wasn't just the only thing I lost track of, as this music kind of blends into the background. That being said, I can appreciate something inoffensive and relaxing. "Gloria's Step" is a good opener. A very elegant and relaxing instrumental. "Alice in Wonderland" has a nice melody. The piano performance is the strongest part, much like most of the songs on here. Very free-flowing, yet also quite precise and deliberate. The bassy, jazz sound in the background is nice, too. "Jade Visions" is a good send-off to the album. Quite sombre and slow-moving. I dig the atmosphere. Book time. "One of the most widely influential pianists of the 1960s". Evans' band has a strong dynamic. Wikipedia reveals that this is regarded as one of the best live jazz albums of all time. Yeah, I can side with this inclusion. Always favourable to an true oldie pick, and this is a good rep for the "live jazz" niche.

86/1001 Bill Evans Trio - Sunday at the Village Vanguard Heard before? ❎ Revisit? ✅ The Trio are undoubtedly tight when it comes to this performance and the interaction between all the instruments make this an interesting listen for me. It may fall into background music at times, but I genuinely had a good time with this.

Bill Evans and his Trio are amazing musicians, and this is a great change from all of the depressing goth I've been listening to on this project. But, it's a little TOO smooth for my tastes. Nothing really stands out between the different songs, and even less stands out between the different takes. I'm a fan of jazz, and of Bill Evans, but this could have been better, I think.

Jazz

Darren, I like this one!

New listen for me. Catchy album.Heavy on the stand up bass.

I have a physical copy of this that I got from a jazz-knowledgeable friend when I was young. This is a great recording of a great jazz pianist and a great backing band. I love how this is just totally live and you can hear the murmurs and glasses clinking in the audience. This really captures that feel of a small jazz club in New York and I'm so happy this is on the list.

This is why I started this whole endeavour. Absolutely not the kind of thing I would normally listen to but it’s good.

When I got given my 3rd live album from the 60's out of 10 albums that I've got so far, I did initially roll my eyes. I enjoyed James Brown and Sam Cooke, but found the audience from each performance so distracting. Thankfully, this album doesn't suffer from at all, it's just a live Jazz performance. The songs are performed well and it's perfectly pleasant to listen to, though not something I'd go out of my way to listen to again. Whilst there are 10 tracks on this album, only 6 of them are made up of unique songs. Four of six the tracks have another version on this album and I don't know why they felt the need to include a take 1/take 2/take 3 of certain tracks, as there's very little difference, if any, between them.

Liked some, but not for me

No es mi estilo

Jazzzzz. Great playing but nothing captured me.

Good but dull can only go so far, and apparently this is the limit.

Need to give this a few more listens but enjoyed the musical interplay between the trio.

Nice album.

Very chill. Incredible musicianship. Reminds me of Dave Brubeck Quartet.

Fine but very forgettable.

Upscale jazz

Pretty classic jazz. Easy to listen to, but no hook to catch on to and remember significantly. Would definitely enjoy this as relaxing background, and sounds well executed, but not something to be foreground listening.

Very pleasant. Still need to listen to more jazz.

Good background music while editing videos.

Das Album Sunday At The Village Vanguard wurde am 25. Juni 1961 im New Yorker Club Village Vanguard aufgenommen. Am Klavier sitzt der US-amerikanische Pianist Bill Evans, begleitet von Scott LaFaro am Kontrabass und Paul Motian am Schlagzeug. Das Trio spielte ein Set aus Standards und Eigenkompositionen. Besonders prägend sind LaFaros Stücke Gloria’s Step und Jade Visions, die den Rahmen des Albums bilden. Bekannte Songs wie Alice in Wonderland, My Man’s Gone Now oder All of You zeigen die lyrische Seite des Ensembles. Auffällig ist die gleichberechtigte Rollenverteilung: Evans’ Klavierlinien, LaFaros virtuoser Bass und Motians feinsinniges Schlagzeugspiel greifen ineinander, statt klassisch Begleitung und Solist zu trennen. Die Aufnahmen dokumentieren einen Höhepunkt dieser Besetzung, die kurz darauf durch LaFaros frühen Unfalltod ihr Ende fand. Das Album vermittelt eine intime Clubatmosphäre und gilt als Meilenstein des modernen Jazztrios.

Relaxing listen, great at work

I don’t know much about jazz, but this seemed good? I wish I could play the piano. Listened a bit while driving through San Francisco and I felt like I was in a movie.

Orchestral good times

I'm not into jazz

Jazz Bon jazz mais jazz quand meme

Perfect background music. Thanks for letting me get stuff done.

Tylore gets filtered by jazz - continued. Was going to make a joke about old man Bill Evans being a 30 year old on the cover, but then learned he was actually 30 there (kill me)

If you ain't in a trip, I don't wanna hear. If you like more ripping piano locks on the same style, check out Oscar Peterson Trio, hoping we get some of him one day. 6/10 because I wasn't completely locked in but I did become very productive.

Its OK. very much jazz and nothing but. I'm sure its inspiring to some but it's mostly plinking to me.

Very good jazz album perfect for a lazy morning 4/5

Not my thing

A Very Good Record!

Zuhause, Heidenheim, Deutschland. Lockt mich nirgendwo hervor.

Really liked alice in wonderland

Mmm, a bit of a slower jazz album. I think it's fine but I've given it a listen maybe 3x now and it just always fades into the background. I'm sorry to all three Paul Evans, but it's mid to me. A solid 2.5.

Yeah... Bass solos are far more entertaining in person... Ok album.

Enjoyed this way more than I expected. While I like jazz, I tend to like it in small doses or live. This one was a great throw on while I worked album/ Great pacing, tempo changes, and quite honestly, the drums were a treat. I felt transported to a jazz club in the village of the early 60s. The next best thing to actually being live. This is now up there w/ some of my all-time jazz favs, like Coltrane and Davis.

My favorite yet.

Why more jazz?? At least this didn’t have any brass in it. It was more piano and drums.

Love this type of jazz. Great. Can listen to it for hours.

Gloria’s Step //

The bassist is the best part. It's crazy to ever say "man, that bassist really stole the show," but here I am. Man, that bassist really stole the show. He's the one part of the album that stops it from being any lower, because it really is the definition of background jazz.

whenever a jazz album has low or mid ratings on here it always good sign for. HOLY PLEB FILTER this is so nice. real high brow shit, got me fuckin snapping my finger in sans of clapping whenever one of the performers finishes one their crazy ass solos. not the most mind blowing jazz out there but still highly enjoyable

Pleasant but not something I’d listen to again

Again, I just didn't connect with it that much Edit Apr 2 2026: 2 --> 3. I do like jazz more now

One fully digs Bill Evans (everyone does) but has always preferred other records (Explorations, Portrait in Jazz and the underrated BE/Tony Bennett) as this leaves one a bit cold, as the playing gets a bit clinical and finicky, perhaps even a touch show-offy. It may not even the best record he put out in '61 This choice seems obvious for a list that way underplays jazz overall.

8 albums in and randomly been given two pure jazz ones, a genre that I'm not a fan of. At least this one is piano based and acts like 'restaurant music' but still something I will never listen to again!

The bass…

Great background jazz for focusing, but interesting enough to hold your attention when you do dial in. Very approachable.

Bill’s playing is sublime as always. What’s with all the crowd noise/dialogue during the performances? It almost sounds like they turned it up

Read that this was regarded as one of the best live jazz albums of all time. Be that as it may, to me it sounds like one of the more generic jazz records I’ve heard. Everything sounded sort of the same throughout the whole record. There was barely any feeling of different songs throughout the whole record, and each song had no real hook or interesting parts that made them stand out. While this certainly gave me the same coziness vibes as all jazz does, it otherwise failed to feel unique and stand out among other jazz albums. Strong 2.

Jazz that just past me by. I found no specific hooks or anything to peak my attention. It had that nice smooth jazz feel but I failed to find anything special with it.

Loungy Jazz piano and bass ensemble. Live album, awesome riffs, something to drink red wine or cocktails to

Nice if you like freeform jazz

Surprisingly relaxing. Enjoyed every minute of this.

Great piano work, both intricate and relaxing. The interplay between the piano and bass make and intriguing listening experience, especially knowing that it would be their last performance together.

An easy listen that’s enjoyable and relaxing the whole way through

Good listenable jazzy tunes.

Loved this album. The bassist is phenomenal and the drummer brings personality to drive the songs with interesting fills and beats. Great pianist with some upbeat / chill tunes. Enjoyed this with a warm apple tea at work during one of the first days of the fall season while it rained outside in NYC. Absolutely beautiful album.

Anyone wanting to listen to great jazz piano should listen to this

While I generally love this sound, there's no chance I'm listening to two back to back live versions of the same fucking 8-minute long song. Cool sound, super talented musicians, tedious album.

I normally enjoy Bill Evans Trio, but found this one to have a little more bass solos than I enjoy

It could be that this isn't my genre, but all of the 'songs' blended together. It seemed like 2 hours of a jam session.

Delightfully pleasant. Fancy hotel lobby music.

I thought instruments were well played and it was very relaxing music. It was a little long but was a live album so I get it.

A tad bit long but was surprised by how good it was

This was lovely. Kept me from doing something drastic while watching my Tar Heels get railed by TCU during Bill Belichick’s debut. Probably would be a 5 if I understood jazz better (or like, at all). Really nice.

ahhhh-this was a great one to have on in the background. loved the piano. just wish it was about 15-20 minutes shorter. still, great listen.

Going in so hyped for this one… haven’t finished it yet but I can tell it really tickles that rainy-day coffee shop kinda vibe! Ayo!

jazz is my go to hangman word

Close to a 5 for me. Not my favorite Bill Evans, but it’s always so so so nice to listen.

Fucking awesome Fav song: Gloria's Step

Surprisingly enjoyable considering I usually try and avoid jazz

Smooth as butter

Jazz innit

One of the most atmospheric albums. Incredible, but just not one of my personal favorite albums

Never really a jazz fan, but all that has changed with this album

For maybe the first 20 mins I was having a great time, and filling a jazz void I've had for a while. Bill Evans has such deft and control that he gives just the right amount of emphasis through the song. I learned that this style bled into modern jazz so apparently he's a big deal. Then, as the album continued, it overstayed it's welcome. Once you get the first 20 mins, you've essentially heard the whole album. Special shout-out to Solar though, that was pretty good

Unbelievably great album!!

Didn't get through this all, but I'm afraid another jazz album with little motivation, drive, or interest. Clearly talented, but amounting to nowt.

Franchement, musique de fond/20

I saw the album cover get revealed and immediately thought it was going to be some bullshit 60's folk rubbish that I get all too often on this generator but I was extremely pleasantly surprised. I listened to this wonderful album for most of the day with joy.

Didn't love it. Plus being live there are people talking and glasses clinking in the background

I didn’t get to finish this. But I really like this.

Really quite amazing I think; good to listen to on its own and not just background just to hear all the individual parts; not 5 stars because probs not absolute favourite but good reminder of how I really like jazz

Typical Jazz bullshit but listenable

More of a 2.75. Enjoyable but not at all memorable.

Jazz isn't my usual vibe, but I really enjoyed this. The songs started to run together a bit at the end, but overall a great time. Wish I could give it a 3.5 because 3 feels too low, but 4 also feels kinda high.

Jazz is insane

Listened to this while watching a spider make a web on my ceiling. Near the end my cat sat on my chest. Would recommend, made both events feel much more whimsical and cinematic.

Nice jazz album although interesting mixing with instruments in different ears 3/5

My Third: Note: I am in no way competent to review a jazz record, but we all have to step up when it's time. Since it's a trio playing well and riffing on some recognizable content (aren't all the good jazz tunes starting with a composition your mind can recognize? or making up a melody someone could turn into their own structured number? that's how jazz works, right, it's this fluid or energy like plasma that can express itself and be measured in numerous fashions?) it avoids the pitfalls of anything experimental or avant-garde (i.e. people saying _I don't understand it_ or _I can't dance to it_ or _jazz is stupid—why can't they just play the right notes?_) and instead evokes a scene in a subterranean club in Greenwich Village. If you can't picture Greenwich, it's a brighter, not-built-so-high part of Manhattan, but maintains its charm by crumbling and being bustling like the rest of New York—think some nice neighborhoods, some low-rent tenement porn on display, pizzerias and whiz-kid chefs on the same block but most importantly: there be artists here. Comics, creators, musicians shooting their shot and often within spitting distance of greatness. A Cincinnati office clerk might have spent her vacation to come and do stand-up at a club for two nights for no pay _but_ a shot at being seen by Marc Maron or Jimmy Fallon. Not only is it worth her while but it's fun to see someone live that dream in realtime. In the 40s, 50s, 60s, you're really playing among and for the musical elite if you've got a spot playing a set for New York bohos and the elites who slum it alongside them. And I donno Bill Evans from anyone but he's practiced and riffed and soloed all his life to be this fixture here and put it on wax, and nothing's off, it's really quite pleasant. If that sounds boring it's because those jazz acts that make this sound easy have made countless appearances in scores and soundtracks and movies and TV and being played on the sound system of your restaurant or coffee house or public radio station playing in your kitchen—the sound is ubiquitous, but it's talents like this trio who made it so. That's why I say: forget comparing this to pop music or other jazz you're familiar with and sink into the frame of the picture. Can you be Kerouac snapping his fingers at a dark table at the Vanguard? Can you be a CBS Records exec just stepped out of a cab and down half a flight of stairs below the street, sipping gin and smoking and feeling very accomplished, having brought this sound to the fore, to the masses? Can you be the person for whom this was the leading edge of culture, and you get to witness it in that basement? That's what this record is trying to do for you. Should you let it.

Sucks

Real shit. Charlie Brown be bopping.

Really good jazz album

Very interesting as I’ve never listened to a jazz record before. Made me feel sophisticated, but I will never listen to this on my own.

I can’t hate it They’re clearly very talented But jazz is not for me

Nice but a little too mellow

A classic! The only sad thing is that the bassist died soon after, and we can only wonder what else they may have produced.

A difficult listen, i can feel that the artists are in sync and talented but i struggled to enjoy listening to them play. Not a fan of the upright bass solo's, the energy was sucked out of every song when the bass became the prominent instrument in the mix

If you like this kind of stuff maybe this is great? To me it just sounds like inoffensive music you would hear vaguely in the background at a coffee shop.

I lean positive on this album, but don't really know how to discuss it. I like the piano. I can tell there's really sweet jazz happening, and a lot of the time I am enjoying hearing said sweet jazz. The album is very long, and its hard to just listen to it in the background. There's a lot going on and it makes itself known too regularly to really let it slip pleasantly behind my work. I am not an experienced jazz-man, but I enjoyed listening to it. I just wish there was less of it, and that they'd do a little less sometimes. 6/10

Great album

Warning: Glass knock over jump scare! Quite an immersive live album that feels like you'd listen to it at a fine dining restaurant.

uskomattoman immersiivinen livealbumi, ihan kuin olisin todellisuudessakin sunnuntaissa. mutta en ole. tänään onkin maanantai kerrassaan loistava sivuefekti... porukka puhuu ja juttelee ja kahvittelee wau ilmiömäinen konsepti myös, awesome. dialogi pianon ja basson välillä vittun mahtava, mutta rumpali tekee jotain ihan omiansa siellä. mutta kun vähän lähempänä kuuntelee voidaan huomata että trio kuin telepaattisesti puhuu keskenään. siellä aivoissa kuhisee "nyt tee noin ja näin ja noin!". ei voi muuta kun hymyillä ja taputtaa ja niin kiivas taputus ja päihdyttävän viaton hymy naamalla. solar

Very chill!

It was fun. Never thought I would enjoy just instrumental without vocals this much. My fav Gloria's Step

50/1001 :: Bill Evans Trio - Sunday At The Village Vanguard Heard before? ❌ Would I revisit? ✅ Rating: 6 Fav Tracks: Alice in Wonderland Listen before you die: Yeah 50 albums in and Sunday At The Village Vanguard is a great Sunday album. This type of jazz is what I’m most familiar with. Stand up thumping bass, freestyle piano dancing over the top and a rock solid drummer holding it down. I didn’t really get enough listens to decipher what the difference between the versions but I’m not sure it matters with this exercise. It’s all pretty good. This would be a good album to work too if you wanted music but also gets distracted easily (like I do).

great jazz

в целом прикольно

Some brilliant interaction between bass and piano. I enjoyed it much more than I thought I would

This is a pretty easy listen. Very good example of 60's jazz and the perfect vibe if you want that bar vibes this album gives. Not my cup of tea for everyday life but Ill throw It once in a while if I feel down, cuz this is a great mood lighter. Solid 82/100

Tasty jazz, I enjoyed it while reading with a glass of wine and it was pretty great. Can't remember basically a thing about it except for the nice bass, though.

This was a wonderful jazz record that was fun to listen to.

Smooth and easy

Starts out promisingly enough. But devolves into total bass wankery. The piano is great. SHRUG.

Fun, but it's not really much more than good background for me.

Never heard such cool music from a man who looks like he could save you a bunch of money on your taxes.

Una de las grabaciones en vivo más legendarias de la historia del Jazz. Está tan bien grabado que si prestas atención se escucha a los espectadores brindar en la sala. Considero que es uno de los mejores puntos de entrada para quien quiera iniciarse en el género. 4/5

Very pleasant background music. 7/10

I’m simply not jazzy or spontaneous enough for this one

This is awesome. Could listen for 100 hours straight. Really interesting back story with the bassist. Makes me want to go to a jazz club.

Jazzy jazz

Bill Evan’s is an excellent pianist. Got introduced by my granddad many years ago. It’s music you wanna listen to around the dinner table drinking shitty wine and chain smoking cigarettes

I think this album benefitted from me being in the office, it may not have rated so highly. I enjoyed it

Not enough snakes.

Interesting choice for the first album. Lounge jazz? Giving late night at a sexy high class lounge/casino bar. Dangerous lives taking a contemplative moment. A calm before a storm in the life of a Hitman/Mobster.

Jazz time My man's gone now: yeah he left cuz he doesn't like jazz. I think I'll join him. Really I like jazz up until the annoying solos where it just sounds like they're plucking whatever note they want. I'm sure there's some big grand design that I don't understand because I don't know jack shit about music theory, but I do know what sounds good, and that ain't it chief. All of you: this is very jazz I hope we get an enjoyable album soon. Something that is just nice to listen to. Something I'd be excited to hear again Glorias step take 3: I hate bass solos

noooooooooooooooooooooooo this is not for me. every song sounds identical. help i'm trapped in a live jazz hell!!

jade visions is the stand out track, overall everything is very solid though.

vermutlich für viele sehr feine Musik, aber es bleibt dabei: mir zu jazzig

Niets voor mij, helaas

Phenominal live jazz album with some incredible bass playing throughout. Bill Evans sets a really good vibe on his records. Liked this one a lot and see myself not only playing it again in the future, but securing a copy on vinyl so I can hear how it is really meant to be played. 9/10

It was alright, just not my style. I can appreciate the instrumentals though.

Right up my alley jazz-wise, not too “challenging” like some later Miles Davis or Coltrane but clearly Evans is a master at his craft and is playing with two other guys who are locked into the same wavelength. Will definitely get some repeat spins.

I don’t feel experienced enough with jazz music to say where this falls on the scale of good-to-masterpiece. But I like it. Energetic, clean, background enough while still being engaging.

Bill Evans Trio has better albums. This one is good but I hope there are at least 1-2 more albums that better emulate them

Very jazzy. Not sure it would be something I would put on, but if I was at a fancy club drinking fancy cocktails, I would expect to hear something similar.

Fun album! Absolutely fantastic working music. Upbeat to keep you moving, interesting enough to keep your attention, not distracting because there are no lyrics and it’s not too in your face with the mix and sound levels. Loved it!

I’m not a jazz fan, but this is good stuff if you are

Still struggling with jazz and i don't think this album is my gateway moment. A bit too bassy for me.

Sunday at the Village Vanguard Lovely stuff. While I’ve enjoyed a lot of the horn led Jazz recently, this piano trio sort of thing is what I thought I might like when we started the list, and so it is. There are a few taking the bassline for a walk and keeping the cymbals splashy moments, but whereas previously they would have chafed, now I find them increasingly pleasant, and the interplay between the three instruments really is quite incredible, the lead swapping between bass and piano, and some excellent drumming peeking out from between the gaps. It may not be as frenzied or as experimental as some other albums we’ve had, it also steers clear of the hotel lobby jazz inflection we sometimes get. To my ears there’s an unpretentious (for Jazz) sensibility to it, there’s plenty of skill and virtuosity of course, but in a tasteful and thoughtful way. The piano of My Man’s Gone Now winds its way through the song beautifully and expressively and it is a superb piece of music. Solar is a nice counterpoint, uptempo and more overtly jazzy but with some incredible piano runs and superb bass. Jade Visions is lovely too, a lovely, melancholic mellowness to it, especially as it was written by the bassist, who died shortly after this was recorded. I liked this from the off and it got better with each listen, and similar to some of the dance albums like Leftfield or Orbital it works both in the background and as a more immersive listen, picking out little bass and piano runs and getting lost in the feel of it. I think it's a high 4, as there is a little bit of uniformity of sound and style at the start of side 2, but it’s something I’m looking forward to coming back to, to fill a laid back jazz hole that Bitches Brew doesn’t. Nice. 🎹🎹🎹🎹 Playlist submission: My Man’s Gone Now

'Solar' has a near 4-minute bass solo. Unfortunately, it's not an outlier. I don't care what your chosen genre of music is, but a bass player cannot be given the limelight for 4 straight minutes. There is no way it will end well. This history is important, given the bass player died a few days after recording this. He sounds like he created possibilities for some that followed. But being influential doth not being listenable make. When the band is working together and Evans' clearly exemplary piano work is present keeping structure and meaning, it is pleasant. But the incessant 'countermelodic' bass solos are unbearable. It seems a lifeless affair to me. And on the recording I've heard, it sounds like the audience agreed.

This could easily be a 2 if you let this play in the background but if you give it a good go and listen to it intently, it really tickles the brain just right.

RIP Scott Lofaro

Piano and some cello, that's about it. Boring

I enjoyed this enough to listen to the bonus tracks as well as the original album, not once, but three times in the end. I struggled to understand why I enjoyed this though, it's out of my musical comfort zone, but I felt there was something special about it, so I'm giving it four stars.

Sounds like autumn. Not ready for this album on a sunny day in August

Alice in Wonderland

obligatory 10/10 for jazz

very calm. loving the jazzy vibes, very soothing.

This album, and this this style of Jazz, isn't to my taste. It doesn't stir any positive emotions or reactions. I found it rather dull. 1⭐ Would I listen again? No. Would I buy this album? No. Side one 1. "Gloria's Step" - 1 2. "My Man's Gone Now" - 1 3. "Solar" - 1 Side two 1. "Alice in Wonderland" (take 2) - 1 2. "All of You" (take 2) - 1 3. "Jade Visions" (take 2) - 1 Total - 6 Average - 1

This was just not one of the jazz albums for me lol it all sounded the same and I just couldn't really get into it !

I think I just don't get jazz.

I've listened to a bunch of jazz at the Vangaurd, and never had the piano in my right ear and the bass in my left. Really weird!

Very much a Sunday album.

Great vibes

Uninteresting

Jazz albums always remind me of the UNO! soundtrack. 9/10

This reminds of reviewing wine. People taste notes of woolen mittens and railroad ties while to my untrained tongue it tastes like boozy grapes. This type of jazz has the same affect.

If I’m getting an Old Fashioned, this is just fine. While I’m pressure washing my deck, it isn’t the best choice.

Not bad for some Charlie Brown ass music.

Can't believe there were chompers all the way back in 1961. Everyone tells me it's a post-COVID thing! Not a bad listen for a Friday morning. I could groove to this whist in a coffee shop or reading on the front porch.

Background jazz...really unremarkable. 2/5

A really terrific light jazz album. Definitely enjoyed it even if it's not my favorite genre.

Solid jazz album. Definitely brings a kind of feel with it, takes you into the scene back then. Would have loved to experience this live. 4/5.

Good jazz album. Pretty chill style.

I'm a fan of the jazz trio format but I'm of the opinion that bass and drums should be heard but not solo. and if they do solo, it should be short and infrequent. This album was a bit much bass-wise but I love Bill Evans and this was still an enjoyable listen.

Bill Evans has the touch. Peaceful and precocious piano tunes that, in this live, outdoor setting, can make any room feel a little warmer. Evans and co. make each song feel breezy and effortless.

Old times, instrumental only

Made me fall asleep. Very soothing jazz with cool strings, especially bass

This was a fantastic album!

All jazz sounds the same to me- boring.

Didn't do much for me. Listened as far as Solar then called it a day

Just Jazz. Don’t get it.

Just sounds like any other lounge jazz I’ve heard

Riktigt härlig Jazz, och tycker det funkar ovanligt bra för att vara en liveinspelning. Känns som man är där! Läbbigt med applåderna som ligger bakom en i ljudbilden dock, jumpscare varje gång

Trevligt för vad det är!

Mys Jazz!

Snark.

Perfectly listenable background jazz while working. Aside from the fact the live nature (which wasn't obvious at first) and the subtle background conversation made me think someone was in the house about 3 times.

I enjoy the sound of these instruments but musicwise I need a bit more of an actual song. Some motifs that they riff on a recognisable tune they are playing around. But this collection just felt like a bunch of long jams with no sensible grounding. It was strange to listen to an album, described as one of the best live jazz albums and just hear the audience talking over it. Jazz people are weird. It's just not for me, but it didn't leave me upset or anything.

muy tranca, a veces un tanto rigido, o muy clasico para mi jazz

I have this one on vinyl but haven't listened to it until now. So soothing I can't wait to listen to this as I fall asleep sometime. Just lovely. Favorite track: All Of You

Amazing album, especially from track 3 onwards. The playing is great throughout, my only complaint is that some of the bass solos sound more like scales being played really fast rather than a solo, but then again, I haven’t listened to too much jazz before, so maybe it’s normal. The music keeps you engaged throughout the album with all that’s going on. The piano playing is flawless. 4/5

El Jazz no es para mi o no tengo suficiente gusto para el. No lo he disfrutado mucho.

It was fine. Felt like I was listening to the same song for 40 minutes.

I found this album perfectly enjoyable but not as bold or exciting as other jazz albums.

Even as a jazz enjoyer, I didn't find anything particularly standout in here. It's definitely well written, well performed, and well recorded. However, nothing took me by big surprise and made me want to listen to it again. That isn't to say I didn't enjoy it, it just kinda was. A great accompaniment to the morning's work but nothing really more than that. My wife commented that I needed a cocktail and a cigarette, and despite it being 9AM I agreed.

Our noir detective goes back to the bar where he first met the femme fatale singing, seated atop the grand piano. She was right, her husband was trying to kill her. And now he sits alone in a corner booth, listening to the unaccompanied band on stage having failed to save her. He drowns in gin at the Village Vanguard.

Jazz is always good.

Some albums I know will be a 1 for me by the time I get to the 2nd song, this album I knew would be a 5.

7/10

Jazz. Piano jazz. Just an awful genre. Burn the piano and get that bassist some guitars to play with.

Missed out on the killers and had to listen to this. G fucking G

Jazz albums like this just don't work for me unless I'm in a bar.

Listened to like half, got bored. Hate to say I never feel the jazz vibe throughout my day.

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

It's not the kind of jazz that I'm familiar enough with to actually analyze critically, but it's pleasant enough. It probably requires a much deeper understanding to truly appreciate, but this was more engaging than other piano jazz works I've heard.

Boring pretentious scotch bar vibe Not my thing

jazz is not my thing i get bored after a while. that said this seems great and there is nothing i could complain about even if i wanted to

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

Jazzy jaz

This is #day347 of my #1001albumsyoumusthearbeforeyoudie challenge, and… compared to some of the other jazz albums I've had so far, this one stands out. I think it has to do with the mix. Everything sounds almost pristine, as if the band's playing in your room. Little audience noise, except for occasional background chitchat, which makes the whole thing sound natural. That said, when it comes to this kind of jazz, I sort of belong to the "it's fine as background/restaurant kind of music" camp. I don't mind free or experimental jazz, which this isn't, but it doesn't mean this isn't good music either. It's just not something I'd return to. I must admit the album's quite long and begins to sound samey in the second half, though. I'm giving it a 3 out of 5. Looking forward to #day348.

A very nice listen, perfect for a sunny, quiet morning.

Meh? It wasn't bad, but I didn't' find anything particularly special in it. Nothing that gripped me like, say, "Take Five". Competent, but kind of boring.

Nice easy listening but still all jazz. Man, these music critics love a jazz album.

no es mi rollo

Great old barroom jazz!

Solid live album. Jazz trios are cool. Shoutout to the bassist. Favorite Track: Gloria’s Step

Das ist natürlich große Kunst... für mich streckenweise ein wenig zu "frei". Wahrscheinlich live ein Erlebnis. 3/5

Jazz for DAYS

Proper modern Jazz, contains a lot of freestyle elements. Not as easy going as Oscar Peterson.

Peak background music, I can imagine this being played in a high-grade restaurant with a cigar and a whiskey in my hand. Other than that, it's hard for me to judge this kind of stuff as it all kind of melds into one. Piano and drums were great, the bass at times felt like it was impeding on the composition a bit and I didn't like the stereo setup. Other than that, pretty good.

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.