Undercurrent

Description

This classic piano/guitar duo album between Bill Evans and Jim Hall has had several label reincarnations, firstly on United Artists and Solid State, and then finally on Blue Note.

"Other than four piano solos from April 4, 1962, this set was pianist Bill Evans' first recordings after a hiatus caused by bassist Scott LaFaro's tragic death. The first of two meetings on record in a duo format with guitarist Jim Hall, the collaborations are often exquisite. Both Evans and Hall had introspective and harmonically advanced styles along with roots in hard-swinging bebop. There is more variety than expected on this fine set with some cookers, ballads, waltzes, and even hints at classical music." Scott Yanow, AllMusic

Description

Description

180-gram VIRGIN VINYL LIMITED GATEFOLD EDITION. THE COMPLETE ALBUM + 2 BONUS TRACKS.

"Other than four piano solos from April 4, 1962, this set was pianist Bill Evans' first recordings after a hiatus caused by bassist Scott LaFaro's tragic death in a car accident. The first of two meetings on record in a duo format with guitarist Jim Hall, the collaborations are often exquisite. Both Evans and Hall had introspective and harmonically advanced styles along with roots in hard-swinging bebop. There is more variety than expected on this fine set with some cookers, ballads, waltzes, and even some hints at classical music. Recommended." - AllMusic, Scott Yanow

***** DOWN BEAT

"This collaboration between Evans and Hall has resulted in some of the most beautiful, thoroughly ingratiating music it has been my pleasure to hear -now or any other time. This music must be heard, and I cannot recommend it highly enough to jazz fans of all persuasions. You can't help but respond to this, for music of this high order knows no age or school. Real art never does."- Pete Welding

Description

The Poll Winners label is devoted to the reissue of albums that received the maximum 5-Star review ratings in the iconic jazz magazine DownBeat, this release features the complete LP Undercurrent (United Artists UAS 1500), which was Bill Evans' first duet collaboration with Jim Hall. In addition to the tracks from the original LP, we have added the only two known alternate takes, as well as a full solo piano session by Evans taped just a few weeks before Undercurrent. This unaccompanied session marked the pianist's return to the recording studios after bassist Scott LaFaro's sudden death in July of 1961.

Includes a comprehensive 12-page booklet.