Bill Evans Trio 64 (Verve Acoustic Sounds Series) 180g LP

Michael Fremer Rated 9/11 Music, 9/11 Sonics!

"Joining Bill Evans (piano) on Trio '64 - his initial three-piece recording for Verve - is the compact rhythm section of Gary Peacock (bass) and Paul Motian (drums). The effort spotlights their communal and intuitive musical discourse, hinging on an uncanny ability of the musicians to simultaneously hear and respond. All the more interesting, Evans had not interacted in this setting before, having most recently worked with Chuck Israels (bass) and Larry Bunker (drums). The personable opener, 'Little Lulu,' features the aggregate melodically molding individual and distinct sonic characteristics. Evans' nimble and emphatic syncopation is not only ably supported, but framed by Peacock's expressive runs and Motian's acute sense of timing. 'A Sleeping Bee' is one of the collection's most endearing selections as the groove playfully scintillates surrounding some hauntingly poignant chord changes. Evans bandies back and forth with Peacock, the latter likewise providing a stellar solo. 'Always' captures a similar effervescence as the instrumentalists ebb and flow in synchronicity. Since the December 18 session was held the week before Christmas 1963, they fittingly tote out 'Santa Claus Is Coming to Town,' creating a minor masterpiece of post-bop from what could easily have started as a spontaneous seasonal suggestion. Noël Coward's 'I'll See You Again' bears a brisk waltz persona, enabling the unit to fluently weave its offerings without obstructing the otherwise affective tune. Concluding Trio '64 is Rodgers & Hart's standard 'Everything Happens to Me,' with an unhurried tempo lingering just long enough to embrace the familiar refrain. Evans sparkles, gliding around Peacock's full-bodied basslines and Motian's solid yet restrained beat." - Lindsay Planer, AllMusic

Seeking to offer definitive audiophile grade versions of some of the most historic and best jazz records ever recorded, Verve Label Group and Universal Music Enterprises' audiophile Acoustic Sounds vinyl reissue series utilizes the skills of top mastering engineers and the unsurpassed production craft of Quality Record Pressings. All titles are mastered from the original analog tapes, pressed on 180-gram vinyl and packaged by Stoughton Printing Co. in high-quality gatefold sleeves with tip-on jackets.

The relatively short program approximately 15 minutes to a side allowed mastering engineer Ryan K. Smith to put all of what's on the tape into the grooves without going anywhere close to the label. The QRP pressing was dead silent and the Stoughton laminated Tip-on jacket is as pleasing to look at as it is satisfying to the touch. This reissue wins compared to an oft-played, finely produced Japanese Polydor reissue (23MJ 3033), though that one is also very good. This reissue is as good as any to explain in sound what AAA vinyl is all about, plus of course the performance will every play elevate your mood and get your toes tapping. How these guys brought that lighthearted a mood to a session recorded a month after the Kennedy assassination remains difficult to understand, but it was just what the jazz record buying public needed.