Bill Evans - Everybody Digs Bill Evans

Bill Evans is one of the most beautiful jazz pianists I’ve ever had the pleasure of listening to, with his second leading album a perfect soundtrack for a rainy Sunday. I read something in the liner notes saying how his experience amongst the Miles Davis sextet changed his style of playing, ultimately taking a lot more inspiration from horn players than his piano contemporaries. This manifests itself constantly through the music here, carrying such character and expression behind the keys that makes it almost sound like a horn solo than the sound of a piano.

I love how these pieces resolve themself, always closing out with a very quiet climax that makes each song feel complete. This is in large part due to the chemistry between bandmates, with some great playing from Philly Joe Jones and Sam Jones here, providing a great backdrop through which Bill Evans can shine.

The absolute crowning achievement of this record is in its handful of unaccompanied solos, where Evans’ incredible expressiveness is on full display. According to the liner notes, these pieces were recorded in their entirety on December 15, 1958. He graced the studio that day.

A shining reflection of one of the all-time great pianists, cohesive and compact in its form and golden in its recording.

KEY TRACK: Lucky To Be Me - Evans’ dynamics and gravitas through his instrument is something to behold here. There’s a portion of a couple bars on the tail end of the song which is one of the most perfect things I’ve ever heard.