Bill Evans Trio & Guests - Live In Nice 1978 (2010) {2CD Set, Jazz Lips Music JL778}

This release presents a complete never before released live performance by the great Bill Evans with an unusual trio that never made a studio album (featuring drummer Philly Joe Jones and bassist Marc Johnson). Joining them are Lee Konitz for three amazing quartet tracks, Curtis Fuller (who joins Konitz and the trio for a marvelous quintet version of Lover Man), and Stan Getz and Christian Escoude (who join Fuller and the trio for the finale on All the Things You Are). A rare interview with Evans made right after the Nice concert has also been included on this release, as well as another unissued concert by the same trio taped in Italy a few days later.

There are so many Bill Evans recordings. He must be among the most recorded pianists in jazz. He really is as good as the hype. His playing is very sophisticated and yet he can make it sound so simple.

Anyway, the recording quality is not perfect and I am pretty forgiving on sound generally. However, no apologies need to be made here. The band plays great. I absolutely love the "bonus" version of Peacoks. He plays Suicide is Painless too often on this set. Once would be enough for me.

Bill's instrument really is the trio. He just kills it. He can be every bit as good as Jarrett, but not whine and grunt to the point of distraction

Anyway, I have most all of Bill Evans records. It is ridiculous, but it really is worth it.

Personnel:
BILL EVANS (p)
MARC JOHNSON (b)
PHILLY JOE JONES (d)

Plus guest soloists:
LEE KONITZ (as, on Disc One, 6-8 & Disc Two, 1)
CURTIS FULLER (tb, on Disc Two, 1 & 3)
STAN GETZ (ts, on Disc Two, 3 only)
CHRISTIAN ESCOUDE (g, on Disc Two, 3 only)
Live at Le Grande Parade Du Jazz, Nice, France, July 7, 1978.

*Bonus performance (Disc Two, 5-9):
Bill Evans (p), Marc Johnson (b), Philly Joe Jones (d). Lee Konitz (as, on 9 only).
Umbria Jazz Festival, Umbria, Italy, July 19, 1978

tracklist:
CD1
01 - Nardis
02 - Theme From M.A.S.H. (Suicide Is Painless)
03 - The Peacocks
04 - In Your Own Sweet Way
05 - On Green Dolphin Street
06 - Like Someone In Love (with Lee Konitz)
07 - You Don't Know What Love Is (with Lee Konitz)
08 - What Is This Thing Called Love (with Lee Konitz)

CD2
01 - Lover Man (with Lee Konitz & Curtis Fuller)
02 - When I Fall In Love
03 - All The Things You Are (with Stan Getz, Curtis Fuller and Christian Escoude)
04 - Bill Evans Interviewed By Leonard Feather
05 - The Peacocks (bonus performance)
06 - Theme From M.A.S.H. (Suicide Is Painless) (bonus performance)
07 - Midnight Mood (bonus performance)
08 - Nardis - Announcement By Bill Evans (bonus performance)
09 - Solar (incomplete) (with Lee Konitz) (bonus performance)