Sunday At The Village Vanguard

My notes were wiped and I don't remember them, but I enjoyed this album. Great playing all around by everyone even if the bass solo passages at times seem to go on a little long and diverge from the core feeling of the song a bit.

Really nice

One of the best Jazz live recordings ever, early 60s, unpredictable Jazz, quite modern but still easy to follow. Gets more chaotic. Not a style of Jazz I enjoy. The more traditional sections are delightful.

Don't care for jazz 1/5

This might seem like a minor detail to point out, but the little ambiance in the background of this album is such an interesting aspect. The clatter of the plates and glasses, the inaudible noises from the crowd. How do you think it felt to be a part of this experience? Sitting at a nice venue with some cool jazz. It’s probably a lot better than sitting in your room, trying to get your daily album done during your busy life. All jokes aside, this is some chill stuff. The trio of the piano, bass, and drums mix together very well, and this would make some amazing lounge music. While I’m not a fan of an album being primarily background music, this is a good showcase of early 60’s jazz. I just wish I can put it in the right atmosphere. Favorite track: Alice in Wonderland Other hits: Gloria’s Step, My Man’s Gone, Jade Visions

9/10. Great music. Makes you feel like you’re there listening.

I'm not gonna pretend that I know Jazz in general, but I understand Cool Jazz even less. There's some great bass playing on here for sure, but the melodies and progression doesn't have enough oompf for me to make the music on this one consistently captivating. But again, I have no idea what I'm talking about, and I still appreciated it as a sophisticated background music, just not something I regularly actively engaged with.

Nice enough jazz, but a little long for my taste

# Album Name: Sunday At The Village Vanguard # Artist: Bill evans trio # Rating: 3/5 # Comments: A distinctly average album. Didnt hate it, didnt love. # Top Tunes: None. # Would I listen to it again? Doubtful

I don't have anything with Evans as the main feature in my library, but I have Kind of Blue, so his sound is familiar. Relaxed but not boring. Solid. Great quality for a live recording as well.

Not my favorite style of jazz. It's nice in a club atmosphere, but a little too smooth for my usually listening tastes. Still inarguably a great and talented performance by all.

Wonderful beat era jazz. The trio works effortlessly in sussing out emotive and expressive melodies. A real treat, given the quality of this live performance.

Didn't know of the Bill Evans trio before this.. but liked the contemplative piano music a lot... nice sunday night gentle music..

Great background music

It's fine. I'm not a big fan of jazz, and this album hasn't really done anything to change that. At the same time it also hasn't done a lot to make me dislike it Standouts Alice In Wonderland 3/5

I'm really sorry. I really want to like freeform jazz, but I think my brain just isn't programmed for it

Nothing like some sweet smooth jazz.

Sublime performances, a total joy to listen to

A reminder that I just am not a jazz person

Enjoyed it, can see my self coming back to it while doing some work or relaxing in the evening. Pretty standard good jazz - cant complain

Superb in every way.

Brilliant Jazz! I have a love hate thing with jazz. I rarely love it and largely hate it but this was my kind of jazz. 4.3

A special moment, both musically and within jazz history.

I bought my first couch ever today, very soft. Had a shower and wore the robe du chambre for the first time ever. Put this album which I never heard before and laid on the couch while reading the last pages of the book Jules Verne by Leonid Borisov. Sometimes, life is great.

Smooth and mellow. Nice for quiet background music, I suppose.

Perfect for hip-hop samples. Lovely to sit through.

I'm biased because I love Bill Evan's music, so this was excellent.

Jazzy but background

Fantastic.

Classic

Fine background music. Didn't make me feel much. 2.5.

The bass is a real standout on this album. I immediately looked up what else he recorded on and saw he died 11 days after this album was recorded. Personal enjoyment: 5/5 Relevance to this list: 4/5

Oh heck no

Not my style

Undeniably great. Some of the most astonishing bass playing I’ve ever heard. But a little Bill Evan’s goes a long way.

3.5

Relaxation music.

Smoooooooth Jazz is back. I would listen to this driving, working, cleaning house, etc.

It is jazz

Damn good

Classic Insane soundstage, and amazing sound quality

Loved the jazz

Another album that I’d rather be listening to in a jazz bar than on vinyl

This might be nice to listen to while fine dining but it’s not my thing

Chill

Good, smooth listening. Dude on the double bass was legit. A full album of elevator music gets a little boring. Solid 6/10.

👌👍

Cafe Jazz that is perfect for a sunday evening by a fire or with a cup of tea. Easy listening.

too jazz too free

Really liked it. Nice chill background music.

Background Jazz at a cafe, for listening with Attention it fades into boringness.

Pretty good Gret sound but today I had a long day and really didnt enjoy this as I should. Kind of listened to it tired and not paying attention so this rating should not be taken seriously.

This is very serious jazz. I'm sure it is very good. The drumming is immense.

Liked the authenticity and the rawness of the live set. The clinking of the glasses and chatter made this sound more like background music than the main event. Not terrible, but surprised it’s on this list.

I have to be in the mood for jazz, but once I was warmed up it was really enjoyable. I know nothing about jazz so I don't have anything intelligent to add. I liked it but don't know if I'd seek it out.

Oh hell not my style!

Just round my background working music. I really like this album for not having to think about it.

Easy listen, that is great background music 3/5

Very chill, loved it throughout.

bill evans is the coolest

Somehow this list has started converting me to liking some jazz? Actually found this very nice to listen to and I might actually come back to it

Lovely!

(FIRST TIME LISTEN) there were no lyrics or much to differentiate the songs from one another so i couldn’t really rate them overall rating: 2.5/5 i didn’t enjoy it personally because i don’t really like jazz or songs with no lyrics because i find it hard to connect to any of the songs. but, i can admit that the instrumental is incredible, especially the bass. genuinely felt like i was transported to a 20s american speakeasy

Great live album but I feel not one of the best as it is teased here. In my book, Evans did more and better on other albums.

Man I love jazz so much

Pretty

Wonderful live jazz album, great passive listening.

Perfectly pleasant jazz. The bass player is incredible.

How refreshing! A break from the Britpop and angry heavy metal and repetitive electronica. This is a fine example of a jazz trio in perfect harmony supporting each other perfectly. The ambiance is a nice touch; hearing the ba ground noise of the Village Vanguard takes me back to my visit there and other similar clubs to hear live music.

It's hard to describe a record like this or describe what I enjoy about it. Bill Evans is one of modal and cool jazz's legendary pianists, with his most recognizable work likely being on Miles Davis' 'Kind of Blue'. I find the song 'Blue in Green' to be his standout performance on that album. I love how intimate, rich, and pristine he sounds on those opening piano notes - they're not quite sad but they do give off this uneasy sense of dissatisfaction in a comfortably coddling way. I'm not reviewing that album or song though, I'm reviewing this live record but I mention that particular song off of 'Kind of Blue' because Bill Evans' musical synthesis, more times than not, feels exactly like those opening notes on 'Blue in Green'. I mean 'Solar' here's a bit more upbeat, and you're getting occasional bass solos and drum fills, but at the end of the day, everything still feels very rich, tight, and cool. 'Alice in Wonderland' is probably my favorite song here - it just strikes this great balance between subtle ambitious ferocity and rainy-day gloom. I'll say the live setting doesn't play much of a role in this listening experience - I'm not familiar with the studio versions of the songs played here but I wouldn't imagine they'd sound much different. I'll say it again, there's very little in terms of specific moments that I liked here, it all blends together but also still manages to partition itself into different moods. Ultimately with this listening experience, you're getting 40 minutes of cool jazz bliss - and who can hate on that?

Background jazz. Great piano playing

Really liked this one. The recording sounded great.

live albums are rarely good and this was undeniably the worst one we've had. as far as jazz goes, this wasn't as bad as i was expecting, but the whole experience was not good. learning that recording a live album at the village vanguard with light dinner conversation in the background of all your songs is a rite of passage for jazz artists was upsetting.

How jazzy! This was kind of boring, but it was fun to have a non-rock/hip hop/pop album, which are few and far between on this list.

mm, not to be a jazz hater, i just don't want to listen to an hour of elevator music back to back

It's jazz!

uhhhh this was pretty okay but it was probably helped that I had to do a bunch of repetitive tasks

will listen to anything from Bill Evans. piano, bass, drums - pure classic. Favorite track: all of you other picks: my man's gone now, solar, jade visions

Nice to have some actual music again.

This was such an unbelievable recording. At times, the trio sounded sparse and at others like a lot more than three were playing. Knowing a bit about the bass, I was shocked that I had never heard Scott LaFaro's playing before. On many tracks he soloed with only the drums accompanying him. This is very rare. LaFaro's bass playing is so melodic and innovative for the time. It's so sad we couldn't hear much more of him. Liked Songs Added: - Gloria's Step - Take 2 - Solar - Jade Visions - Take 1

Very vibey jazz, but a tad long overall, drops the score a little

I am here for all the jazz albums! The different takes a wonderful. Drummer is on fire! So is the pianist and bass player.

Piano, drum and bass. Jazz, not drum and bass.3/5

Very nice

Not my sort of thing, but I can appreciate the musicianship of the members. I'm sure dedicated jazz heads would love this.

I can't lie, I struggled. Was the bassist given the wrong sheet music? Not for me. Second star given for the live glass clink sounds.

4 - I really like this when I was cooking, was super chill but didnt get to listen all the way through. So picked it up driving to work and really struggled.

I listened as I ran through the fields surrounding Versailles. Jazz 4.1/5

Very skilled musicians, beautifully meshing together in a very detailed recording. Worth going back to when I’m closer to the right headspace.

This is some serious "cool jazz". It's goodish but very safe and predictable, which isn't necessarily my jam. Easy music for the background when guests are over for a winter cocktail party. 3/5

2.5

Rainy day jazz with three guys absolutely destroying their respective instruments. The bass player was a tier above the other two. Another live album that I feel is ruined by the constant chatter of people in the audience. 7/10

A bass forward jazz record. Alice In wonderland is a really nice track. Jade Visions is also a really nice track. I don't think this is my favorite Bill Evans record, but it is still very good.

Jazz is not my stuff.

idk

This feels like what they play in nice hip restaurants.

Love me some jazz! I imagine sitting in a corner booth of a darken jazz club in NYC with a glass of wine, closed eyes, allowing the tunes wash over me. 🎶🎶🎶

Listened Before? N Good white guy jazz. I enjoyed it but it's pretty mellow. Good background music for a restaurant. Added to Library? N Songs added to playlist: Gloria's Step

Great jazz album.

But like two stars if we're judging based on its ability to captivate and hold one's attention, a criterion which it is too dormant and too genteel to meet. Pleasantly tingling and sophisticated background music otherwise.

Een piano trio dat laat zien dat jazz rijkgevuld kan zijn zonder blazer(s). Het samenspel tussen toetsenist en bassist is - zoals Evans zelf al opmerkte na deze show - van ongekend niveau, de chemie is hoorbaar. De composities van Scott LaFaro zijn de highlights, maar het warme spel van Bill Evans zorgt er voor dat het album aangrijpt zonder een catchy saxofoon of trompet. Het wrange is echt dat m'n favoriete werk van de man kwam in de duistere jaren na LaFaro's veels te vroege dood, toen legde hij pas echt z'n hart op z'n vingers. Een tragische episode in een door misère getekend leven. Geen jazzpianist die klassieke muziek op zo'n interessante wijze wist te transformeren in jazz, en na Thelonious Monk en Ahmad Jamal m'n lievelings. Maar terug naar het album, dat er makkelijk inglijd op de maandagochtend. Weinig spektakel of onorthodoxe wendingen, waar ik ook wel weer op kick in jazz, maar zo warm en welkom. De opbouw in de opener 'Gloria's Step' was een uitzondering, en vanaf dat moment was het één lange cool down waar de mannen in excelleren. 7,5/10 Highlights: Gloria's Step Jade Visions

De drie of vier mensen die aanwezig waren in the Village Vangaurd op de desbetreffende zondag, hebben een erg fijn jazzconcert meegemaakt. De rommelige hoge basgitaar steelt de show wat mij betreft. Zeker ook omdat de opname zo goed is dat je bassist zijn snaren hoort bewerken. Alsof je er zelf bovenop staat. Mijn spanningsboog is niet voldoende ontwikkeld voor hele jazzplaten. Toch was dit erg lekker. 7,5/10

jazz jazz jazz. :-)

Ich kann diese Platte nicht hören. Jazz.

Athmospheric, easy going Jazz. But still Jazz.

Decent music, but still hard to tell songs apart.

It felt like a nice background music at first, but then got boring

Day238- sit back with a drink and enjoy this little nugget. jazz doesn’t go out of style and bill evans trio is going into my jazz favorites

Kahvilamusiikkka, hyviä ja huonoja kohtia. Vähä tämmöstä pimputtelua. Välillä rassaa ihan vitusti kuunnella

Don't usually listen to Jazz, found it hard to focus. But enjoyed the background noise of people enjoying the music and found the backstory of this being the last time they played together due to a road traffic accident created a feeling of time capsule

Alice in wonderland (take 2)

One of the greatest jazz albums of all time. Beautiful modal chords and piano work by the incredible Evans. The soft chattering of the punters between songs only adds to its charm

Was the bass player being paid by the note?

I'll admit to being seduced by the aura dripping from this record. It's a warm summer evening in 1961 in a cozy little spot in the West Village. If you gave me a time machine, I wouldn't hesitate. Anyway, I think the best way to listen to this album is not the band as a whole, not as one cohesive sound, but instead keeping the three instruments separate in your mind. Each one painting in a different color. Close your eyes and it's a very visual album.

Soft jazz like you'd hear in a fancy restaurant, however it doesn't really go anywhere and I found myself being bored of it pretty quickly.

Scott LaFaro, influential Jazz bassist, recorded this a little over a week before he sadly passed at 25 years old. I’m not going to claim to be an expert on Jazz. It’s a genre that I’ve heard a handful of records, but have trouble deciphering what’s great and what’s bad. I really rely on my personal preference. I enjoyed the piano from Evans, and the bass definitely stood out. That being said, I’m not sure this is a Jazz record I will revisit often. The instrumentation was phenomenal like most Jazz records, but not much stood out to me compared to other records, other than the bass, which I did love.

Hugely better than my expectations, which were absolute zero! Musically, it was really interesting and quite inventive, and it flew by very nicely indeed.

Just the opposite of my last album. Thisnwas awesome. I couldn't turn it off. I love smoth jazz

Jazz is really hard to rate but this is very good

As much as I love a good jazz record, Sunday at the Village Vanguard is meandering and loses the bead quite a bit.

I have been trapped in this elevator for 68 minutes. Please send help.

An incredible showcase of Scott LeFaro above all else. An essential live recording.

A masterful album, but it requires active listening to truly appreciate the musicianship and the dance happening between all three performers.

Nice sound. But I remember none of it.

Quality stuff, sets a consistent strong mood throughout Love that double bass sound as well

Very enjoyable listen. Listened while working on school stuff and it does wonders.

Master of fingering! Favourite Songs: I Hear a Rhapsody, Romain, Skating in Central Park, Darn That Dream. Least Favourite Songs: My Funny Valentine, Dream Gypsy.

Jazz is not my go-to music, but this album was really good. I felt lulled into a different time. Great background music for focusing or haning out, although sometimes I did feel a bit startled by the actual clapping. A great album for a chill, nostalgic time.

Studio production for a live album from 1960 is exceptional. Even if jazz isn’t your thing, you really can’t deny it’s a great record.

Ok, so this makes me feel like a musical ignoramus because I know that they are really good musicians and the improvisation aspect is amazingly skilful. I also see this is fairly highly rated on here. But it just does nothing for me. It sort of wibbles on and I caring the occasional snippet of the tune it’s based on. Why am I almost ashamed of not getting it? I imagine it as background music in a bistro

very pleasant album. bill evans was a terrific jazz pianist, and it is highlighted here. his phrasing and chord structure is second to none - i would say, even, iconic. when you're listening to a jazz record, you know when bill evans is playing piano. the rhythm section here does its part and never gets in the way of the star of the show here (the piano). that being said, although it was good and pleasant, it never got truly incredible for me. the highs were not high and the lows were not low, it was just good. musicianship is pretty good, songs are fine.

I do like this. But it just feels like background music at an upscale wine bar. It’s not bad but I also don’t yearn for it. 3/5

Marvelous. Just fantastic jazz. Loved it. No notes.

Just some really good, heady, crunchy jazz. It gets a little monotonous, but I'm sure live it's an incredible experience. Favorite song(s): Alice in Wonderland, Jade's Visions

This is a really nice vibe during my favorite era in jazz. Only thing keeping it from an easy 5 from me is that it's so laid back throughout.

Cocktail party Jazz

I found a lot of this to be real nice. My kind of jazz. Super chilled and laid back, down-tempo, lo-fi. A bit moody, with some real atmosphere to it. Nice elegant keys and gentle backing bass. I'm not as much of a fan when it introduces more of a chaotic element in some songs, maybe more 'traditional jazz'? Drums in weird time signatures and the like. Overall, it was an enjoyable relaxing time while working. 3.5 rounded down.

This was an enjoyable listen, nothing more nothing less.

It's the Bill Evans Trio. Amazing to listen to while working or reading. Also, if you listen more actively, you are also rewarded. Have to be in the right mood to stick it on but always pleasant. Maybe not my favourite from them, but still lovely.

Music is great, and I get that it's live, but the talking in the background is unacceptable and not charming at all.

Awesome discovery - great to create a chill atmosphere

Cool jazz piano. Very slick musicianship. The version I heard had a bunch of live takes that were studio quality. This guy is the real deal. I didn’t get much jazz as a kid but I gave this record a second spin.

I have no time for jazz so 1 star or F.

Excellent for atmosphere and an extremely pared down style, but it's not really for me. Maybe it's too subtle for my monkey brain, but I find it a bit boring, and there's a lot of had from the same era that I would pick before this.

Nice, clean, smooth jazz.

Besser geht es nicht!

Legendary live session

One of my all time favorite albums. Evans is a maestro of chord painting and Scott LaFaro is a revelation. It's a damn shame that he died so young or his work would have ended up on this list one day. Check out the complete live recordings if you enjoyed this. So excited to have an excuse to listen again.

Excellent album de piano Jazz que je possède et apprécie beaucoup, même s'il ne fait pas partie de mes préférés. => 4/5

Seemed okay - almost classic jazz (is that a thing?) Easy to appreciate the quality of the music but just not really my thing.

I am not a jazz guy.

Przyjemne, ale jednak nie jestem dużym fanem jazzu. Wszystko zlewa mi się w całość, szczególnie gdy leci w tle. Tym nie mniej dobry album 4/5

This is very nice. Not my favorite. Too many bass solos. But the parts that are good are very good. More of a musician’s musician.

Very good, I enjoyed this.

Nice smooth jazz - dinner time jazz. He's excellent on the piano.

Doo, doo, doo, da doo, doo, doo, bom, bom, bom, ba bom bee bee ba doo.

well, it sounded like they had a good time, anyway

cool enough but irregular tune not really my thing

Swanky

- Kommt auf jeden Fall in meine Whisky/Zigarre/Pool-Jazzplaylist - Darüber hinaus verstehe ich zu wenig von Jazz um das dediziert auseinanderzurezensieren. - Fands nice, zwischenzeitlich etwas doll aber auf jeden Fall stimmungsvoll 3,25/5

- Qualitativ schon mal echt gut für ein Live Album - stimmiges Album, aber auch kein absoluter mega Abholer für mich 2,25/5

For the people who enjoy this style of jazz, I'm sure this is a great album, but I find this style of jazz blends into the background and I don't absorb it. Just not my thing!

Nicht meine Richtung

A new favorite added to the jazz collection, what a find! The balance of keys, bass, and drums is superb. You don’t need to love jazz to enjoy this album, and it’s live!!

Not a jazz fan, but since this is a journey, let's see how good is this... I've always said it takes a special kind of people to enjoy this genre, it's so technical but at the same time, so chaotic, I insist on this, jazz is not for the faint of heart or somebody that will not try to experiment something new

The epitome of ‘you had to be there’

Not sure I'm qualified to say what's good jazz, lots of noodling as seems to often be the case with jazz. Nice enough to listen to though, sounds like something that would be playing in a swanky restauant.

Good for what it was. Not something id listen to regularly though.

8.5/10

Always a treat to get something other than a boring rock album

Jazz sucks, but with that in mind I still especially hated this. So dull. Music to wander a Barnes and Noble to.

Yet another great (I’m sure) jazz album I lack understanding of. Good background music when you’re tending to something else.

Premium jazz by one mate masters of improvisation. Pure class

Jazzy jazz

In a nutshell: there is a lot seriously lacking. Well, this was disappointing. This album makes jazz sound boring, ordinary and pedestrian. In reality, jazz is nothing of the sort. Where is the virtuosity and flair? It feels like Bill Evans and Scott LaFaro were on separate wavelengths. I’ll check out Bill Evans other work, I won’t be going back to this album. Overall: 3/10

1. gloriaz - 1 2. man - 1 3. zolar - 1 4. alice - 1.5 5. you - 1.5 6. jade - 0 7. gloria - 1

Such an understated and beautiful pianist who really shows why less is more

Exceptional. I listened to this on my morning train ride. Headphones on, eyes shut, the sunlight piercing my eyelids causing colours and shapes in my vision. Perfect!

Desert island pick. Unless you're a jazz head, you have probably never heard this record before. I defy you to give it a fair listen and not be moved. Sublime. Bill Evans had this incredibly intimate intensity as a player and the interplay among these three musicians is nearly pornographic, they are so far inside of each other. The audience sounds like the Vanguard is only half full, which in one respect doesn't match the quality of this music but then again with this particular music it does seem more appropriate than if we were hearing it echoing off Carnegie Hall's walls. I think this was this band's final performance, too, as the (25 year old virtuoso) bass player Scott LaFaro tragically died in a car crash a week or two later. What might have been! Finally, word to the wise: any jazz record titled "Live at the Village Vanguard" (and there are many) is pretty much guaranteed to be excellent and should be consumed without delay. Actually, same goes for "Live at the Lighthouse," too.

I really enjoyed listening to this album, despite having little to no perspective on what makes for great jazz, or a great jazz album for that matter. It's an impressive live recording, especially for the time, as you can hear people talking and glasses clinking at times (usually during the bass solos), which only adds to the ambience and the live feeling. They had a rich sound for only three people, too; I particularly enjoyed "Gloria's Step", "Solar" and "Alice in Wonderland". A bummer to read that this album/recording marked the end of this particular trio, when Scott LaFaro (the clearly very talented bassist) died a few days later in a car accident. Given the great chemistry among the three of them (or at least it certainly seems that way listening to the album), I can see why Bill Evans struggled for a while to even play, but glad that he continued to make music in his post-LaFaro years, at least until his own untimely early death. And it was also interesting to read up on the storied history of the Village Vanguard and the many careers launched there (or at least greatly assisted).

Great piano-led jazz trio playing beautifully. Wish I could have been there, though I don't think I have the ears or understanding to fully appreciate it.

Not really a jazz fan. It's ok. Sounds like jazz. I guess it's good jazz, at least.

Bill Evans is clearly a master at work. This is the kind of music one can listen to all day while focusing on work or whateter activities they might be doing without any jarring, pressing need, or sudden urge to turn things down or up or off. Perfect lounge music 10/10. Now... if there is a problem with lounge music, this kind of lyric free soft jazz, it is that it is so very steady, so clean and functionally neutral, that outside of its calming, mellow affect, it really has no emotional impact or challenges. I will grant this album four stars because after it was done I let the youtube matrix play his next, even longer album because it fit my mood as background. However, if one is seeking a bit more emotion or thrill or variety, you might want to leave this one for a day you have had enough stress and just need to calm things down.

I can confidently say that this is an album of jazz music. Behold how astute I am.

This is a beautiful, classic, jazz record. A nice entry point.

"Ya like jazz?" "No"

3/10 This is the epitome of “not for me”. Piano jazz, well played and recorded, but terminally, brutally boring. Meandering lounge music with no hint of noticeable distinct songs or melodies. Rough.

One of the most important musicians of the twentieth century. Had an opportunity to see Bill Frissell perform his work at The Village Vangatd a few years ago. Absolutely sublime.

Album 459 of 1001 Sunday at the Village Vanguard - Bill Evans Trio Rating : 4 / 5 I’ve always loved the trio setup, and these guys do it better than just about anyone. The interplay, the feel, the musicianship — all top-notch. A beautifully performed jazz classic that I’d easily recommend to anyone wanting to explore the genre.

Didn’t really get it

More of the basis of the sound of the music my parents listened to when I was a baby. Love this stuff. 3 stars

Probably not fair for me to judge, as jazz is a genre that leaves me cold. This is pleasant enough to have on in the background, but I couldn't imagine sitting down and listening to it.

Cafe music

Sounds like jazz alright. I’m sure the musicianship is top class and the chemistry is telepathic and yada yada, but I just couldn’t help but zone out while listening to this. I like that you can hear the audience chattering away mid-track, reinforcing my suspicion that a lot of jazz is primarily intended to be background music…

4/5 Silky smooth jazz. The three instruments feel like the ideal combination at times, with the unrelenting, darting, almost abrasive bass, dazzling piano and constant drums making such a heavenly sound. Often it is impossible to listen to without an immediate sense of calm. In fact the more energetic moments such as on Solar are the weak points when the excitement brings the piano and bass to different places, such that they compete for attention, or the bass seems to wander aimlessly. But when the piano and bass fuse it feels great, and it would be an exceptional album if they did so consistently. Gloria's Step 4/5 My Man's Gone Now 5/5 (FAV) Solar 2.5/5 (LEAST FAV) Alice In Wonderland 5/5 All Of You 3.5/5 Jade Visions 4.5/5

Masterpiece

Great jazz !!

This project is helping my figure out what type of jazz is for me. This was fine, but doesn’t impress me as much as some others I’ve heard from this list.

Honestly, don't want to listen to this type of music right now. 2/5

This sounded great. Need to come back to it another time

yea, good album. Will pick it up.

Some solid/catchy songs- California dreamin, Monday Monday,

Nice piano but jazz is just not that interesting to me

I hate to judge a jazz album by its cover but this is as dull and loungey as it looks. I know it's great for people who like jazz but it just felt like background restaurant music and went on far too long. Looking more closely at the tracklisting, most tracks are played twice? But I couldn't have told you that. Not for me.

Not for me

Pleasant background jazz.

It is Jazz... I listened to it... I will give myself 5* As background music it isn't too bad, but if you have to actually sit-down and listen to it, then you might as well start cleaning the attic while you're at it.

RIP Scott LaFaro, this is a top bill evan s live recording. This Lp gets all the stars. I had to bust out the good headphones for this one.

Dope, live jazz album. I felt like I was in the club. Piano playing was magnificent.

Bill Evans and his band especially Scott Lafaro his bassist are on fire.

not my music old jazz

Jazz in 1961 Easy listening.

Easy listening, vocal-less jazz.

loved it. great music. listened to it while studying. prolly gonna be in my playlist for autumn!

Decent jazz. Not my favourite, but ok.

awesome. One of the very best to do it

I like this style of jazz.

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.

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*

Dull boring derivitive jizz No! I'd rather listen to cats playing on a piano. Is there a person alive that remembers that Sunday at the Village Vanguard? I doubt if anyone recalled this performance day the following week!

I’m not a huge fan of jazz so this one was a miss for me

Mellow jazz album. Was nice to listen to on a Monday mornging but nothing particularly interesting.

Soft jazz club.

The jazz was pretty solid, but between being a live album and half of the album being repeat songs, it got old fairly fast.

The epitome of soft jazz.

Piano Jazz, 1961 -> 3

Class bit of live jazz with virtuosic piano and double bass playing

Not a big fan of jazz but this was ok.

This was a pleasantly chill jazz album. My favorite kind of jazz: the kind of jazz that doesn't give you a headache (aka freeform). Great for a low-key Friday morning to start the weekend.

Fantastic chill jazz club vibes. Really enjoyed this.

Can't stand Jazz. There's nothing wrong with it except it's boring. this is probably a gcood example but I couldn't get to the end of the album it was so pointless

I'm no jazz aficionado, but I do really enjoy some Miles Davis and other artists. I can tell this is technically very good but it just doesn't give me the same feeling as, say, Kind of Blue. It really just felt like one long song that didn't change that much and didn't resonate with me unfortunately.

Love it. Instrumental excellence

Evans was an amazing player and musical mind; there's a reason that Miles entrusted him to man the piano for Kind of Blue. His work on that record speaks for itself, as does his work on Oliver Nelson's The Blues & The Abstract Truth and quite a bit of his solo material. And yet, while I find albums like Sunday at the Village Vanguard perfectly easy and enjoyable to listen to, I don't find him as engaging as many other pianists when it comes to leading a trio. As some people here have pointed out, the late, great Scott LaFaro often appears to be the MVP of this performance (a claim that Evans himself might not have disputed), but with all due respect to him, I want to hear Evans handle a little bit more of the heavy lifting. Which isn't to say that Bill isn't amazing; I think his playing on "Gloria's Step" and "Alice in Wonderland", in particular, is spectacular. I just don't think, especially at this point in his career, he was the most charismatic performer, and while I don't want/need him to be Jerry Lee Lewis behind the piano, I find myself gravitating toward people like Red Garland, Ahmad Jamal, and a host of other pianists when I consider who I'd prefer to hear in this environment. Still, good stuff. 3.5/5

Just really great jazz that’s accessible without being derivative. Also a rare album that is better for having a live audience.

I'm fairly new to jazz being honest and haven't listened to much outside Miles Davis. This Album has some lovely piano melodies but my God that bass just drive me mad to the extent that I had to stop listening to the album a couple of times, maybe it's just not my thing.

I liked it, but didn’t realise some songs were on twice which shows how much I was concentrating

i dont like the bass solos, im sorry, im a fake jazz player and lover

couldn't hack the whole thing, too samey!

smooth and enjoyable

Oh fuck off. Jazz again? This degenerate filth needs to stop. Play some real fucking music, you wanker.

Really nice jazz album from the early 60’s. Easy and accessible. Piano, bass and drums. These guys are tight, and in sync. There’s no real “stand out” track, but everything is solid. This is one I’ll revisit. 4/5

There are two things that I have to keep reminding myself of as I listen to this album. First, this is a trio. Such an expansive, nuanced sound, coming from just three guys, no brass. Scott LaFaro's work on bass is especially noteworthy, but all three are playing at top level. Second, I have to remind myself that these songs were recorded live, which is a little bonkers to comprehend. It's flawless across the board, and without the audience interaction, I would have no idea this was a live album. I enjoyed this immensely. Fave Songs: Alice in Wonderland, All of You, Gloria's Step (take 2), Solar

The songs on there are great by themselves but as an album it is lacking in variation and I found it a bit boring towards the end. Again don't hate the songs but rather the structuring of this album which is why it gets a 3.

I'll give it a 4, and only because jazz isn't really my thing! In any case, it's clearly one of those albums to revisit on a sunset evening by the window, sipping a glass of wine ;-)

Когда слушаю джаз, всегда задумываюсь - как же скучно быть джазовым барабанщиком...

This just didn't have the oomph that Hugh Masekela delivered with his album. Bill is reduced to background dinner party duty

I just can't with jazz, I'm sorry

Now this is a jazz album! This seminal jazz album by the legendary pianist Bill Evans has been praised for the symbiotic interplay between musicians. No wonder why it is often regarded as one of the finest live recordings in the genre.

Don't get me wrong, this is a great record, but it's really restricted by only being a 3-piece jazz group. There's only so many bass solos you can do before stuff starts getting boring.

heartbreaking: the worst person you know just made a great point (mi viejo que le encanta el jazz). 9/10, belleza pura

I saw something that said this might be the best live jazz recording. This could actually be the best live recording. Or best jazz recording. Or just possibly best recording.

Stone cold classic, one of my favourite jazz records of all time, easy 5.

I like the review that his piano sounds like "falling down." The bass and piano are heavy on this one and pulled my focus in. But there wasn't quite enough for me to keep it there.

Not really my jam but those cats were cookin

This is good music for a dinner party or if you’re having a wine at the bar. Otherwise it was forgettable and boring. 2/5.

It was like I was there.

This is absolute genius from one of the best piano trios ever.

A simple masterpiece that has a fluid motion between the Trio. A wonderful introduction to Bill Evans and a jumping off point to your jazz discography.

Great live jazz album, not much to say, everyone is good, very nice chilled out jazz 4.5/5

I don't have the jazz vocabulary to describe it properly, but I would call it gentle, meandering dinner jazz. The more early 1960s jazz I hear, the more I like it. Rating: 4/5 Playlist track: All Of You Date listened: 11/04/24

Of all the jazz I've listened to, this is what I want jazz to be. It's chill and puts me in a good mood as a backing track for a day of doing laundry and cleaning.

This is a quaint, live jazz album from the Bill Evans Trio. Featuring Bill Evans, pianist and composer, and a bassist and drummer, "Sunday At The Village Vanguard" is lauded for their interplay and synergy. The unfortunate death of bassist Scott LaFaro only 11 days after recording these tracks left a deep impact on Evans and the jazz community as a whole.

I don't even talk about that...

Ahhhhh, something a bit chilled. I actually prefer a bit of trumpet or sax in my jazz otherwise it becomes a bit muzak-y. There's also always something a bit special about a well-performed live recording. Hats off. Some super spicy bass work as well.

Good players. Not my thing. Background music at best.

Jazz :(

An experience in escapism. With every key stroke and string pluck, that will never to be repeated, you are reminded of the absolute magnificence of these background music artists. My wife asked if it was on hold…

Jazz

Like a pleasant stroll through an upmarket department store

Really really good

instrumental. chill. jazz

I LOVE BILL EVANS

Awesome album

Dit zou een reden kunnen zijn om meer jazz te luisteren

Klassische Trio Besetzung, Jazz der 50/60er, man riecht förmlich die Bar Atmosphäre und den Whisky auf Eis...

That‘s mine

Im still not great Jazz fan but this was actually nice to listen to. Laid back and groovy.

All. Instrumental. It’s like being on hold for an hour

beautifully chill and relaxed jazz that provides a true coffee shop atmosphere while also being a little dark and mournful. Super good album.

Jazz halt. Klang aber ganz cool

Bill Evans Trio is always a winner. Great music for a sunny weekend afternoon or when you're trying to work

This album definitely gives chill day at the park on Sunday vibes. Great jazz trio of piano, upright bass, and drums. Relaxing and enjoyable listen, although a bit less relaxing when the bass player goes on his crazy solos.

Lot of Jazz music kind of melting into one, I'm happy to hear at least another side to mid-century America but if we could leave it for a bit that would be grand

I last listened to this album a week before it popped up for me here today - it's a regular favourite. If you like this, it's worth checking out the 3CD 'The Complete Village Vanguard Recordings, 1961', which includes all of this one, the album 'Waltz For Debby', plus more. I knew this was going to be 5⭐ as soon as I saw it, and it was great to have an excuse to listen to it again so soon.

Great live jazz album, one you can just sit back and chill too, added to my frequent rotation.

jazzy

Can't stand jazz it seems

Enjoyed. 3.5

All I can think about when listening to this is the show Frasier.

Great live piano jazz. Alice in Wonderland is such a great jazz standard and Bill Evans does magic with it.

A surprising new listen. Bill Evans Trio really pull off this live jazz album.

I don't listen to jazz very much. This is nice soothing music but it gets boring after a while.

Really enjoyed it, but want to give it a another listen down the road. 4.3/5

Best song: Vibes: Mr. Tipples lounge

Really makes you feel like you’re in a snooty jazz bar

I guess I'm a simpleton, but this album seemed on the safer side. Maybe I was expecting "more", especially since this was a live album. An easy and comforting listen, sure, but I was hoping for some more of that improvisational jazz "oomph". I guess listening to a few Miles Davis records skewed my view on this classic era of jazz.

Great as background. Sometimes it sounds like the musicians are playing their own tune....Doesn't seem to gel to my ear.

Pleasant but repetitive jazz. It had a little too much going on to be background music.

Jazz instrumental con preminencia del piano de Evans dentro del trío. Personalmente me parece una música fría que me transmite poco, aunque para los críticos de jazz se trata de una gran obra en la que la improvisación alcanza grandes cotas de calidad.