Record Reviews

BILL EVANS ~ SOME OTHER TIME: THE LOST SESSION FROM THE BLACK FOREST RESONANCE 2019 (Barcode: 096802280276) ~ USA ~ Jazz Recorded: 1968 Released: 2016 This is a sensational archival album by the greatest Jazz pianist of all time, Bill EvansFind albums by this artist, recorded in a classic piano trio setting with bassist Eddie GomezFind albums by this artist and drummer Jack DeJohnetteFind albums by this artist. The music was recorded at the legendary MPSFind albums on this label Records studio in Villingen, Germany, on June 20, 1968, by the owner of the label Hans Georg Brunner-SchwerFind albums by this artist (HGBS) and produced by my Friend and Mentor Joachim BerendtFind albums by this artist. The material was subsequently not released, despite several attempts, and remained in the MPS vaults for almost five decades, to be finally released by ResonanceFind albums on this label Records. The recording took place just five days after Evans and the trio recorded the iconic live album “At The Montreux Jazz FestivalFind albums with this title”. The 2CD album presents eleven tracks on CD1, which were selected for the intended MPS album, which never materialized, and ten tracks on CD2, which are outtakes and alternate takes, all of course worth being heard. Evans did eventually record an album for MPS some six years later, the groundbreaking orchestral “SymbiosisFind albums with this title”, which is a completely another pair of shoes. The music consists of a mixture of standards and Evans’ originals, executed with passion and elegance, which were always the essential ingredients of Evans’ music. There are trio, duo and solo performances. The phenomenal and literally symbiotic relationship between Evans and Gomez is omnipresent and the bass gets a prominent presence in the mix and numerous solo spots, in contrast to the drums, which are almost completely far in the background, when present at all. DeJohnette was a member of the trio for just a few months and this is perhaps why his role on this album is minimized, which results in most of the music sounding like a piano / bass duo, which of course does not lessen any of the music’s magic quality. Overall, this is a wonderful addition to the Bill Evans recorded legacy, covering a lesser documented period of his activity. For the many Evans’ followers it is of course a must, and although it does not reveal anything previously not captured on record, it is certainly a superb piece of Jazz history

Updated: 23/02/2024Posted: 15/05/2023

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