Bill Evans: Further Conversations

Ted Gioia, blogger-in-chief of Jazz.com, has written an extensive analysis and appraisal of pianist Bill Evans. Here's a taste:

"Evans never played badly – even in those final days before his untimely death—and almost every recording he released had merit. But few moments in these later works would make fans forget the earlier legacy, with its magical telepathy and zen-like immersion into the musical flow. And who could blame Evans for falling short of these exemplary performances? He had simply set the standards to high in his late 20s and early 30s. Any pianist (himself included) would have trouble rising to this standard, night after night, recording after recording."