By my count, pianist Bill Evans recorded Autumn in New Yorktwice. The one that most jazz fans are familiar with features Evans playing a rushed solo version in 1963, a recording that wasn't released until 1989, nine years after his death. Evans didn't care for these solo sessions, finding the results half-baked and below his standards. Orrin Keepnews and Milestone Records honored his wish and held off issuing them.
Of course, Evans was wrong. The Solo Sessions (Volumes 1 and 2) are superb and provide a stark glimpse into Evans' improvisational whimsy and exploration. The date's Autumn in New York (teamed with How About You) is no exception, though it's more like Autumn in a Gale.
The superior, more romantic Autumn in New York by Evans was recorded five years earlier in 1958. It's hidden on George Russell's New York, New York, tucked into the track East Side Medley. The band on the date watched in awe as Evans handled the beginning as a solo. Then the musicians joined in: Art Farmer, Doc Severinsen, Ernie Royal (tp) Bob Brookmeyer, Frank Rehak, Tom Mitchell (tb) Hal McKusick (as) John Coltrane (ts) Sol Schlinger (bar) Bill Evans (p) Barry Galbraith (g) Milt Hinton (b) Charlie Persip (d) Jon Hendricks (narrator) George Russell (arr,dir).
I'll have more on this vital session in the weeks ahead from the date's contractor. For now, here's Bill Evans' Autumn in New York, from 1958...
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Was Evans really wrong in considering those recordings "half-baked and below his standards?" If you compare them to his two official solo albums, and the superb solo tracks on several other albums, perhaps not. Evans' standards were very high.
Evans also blocked release of the album with Stan Getz as he didn't feel completely comfortable with the rhythm section. That album would probably be the pride and joy of most pianists, but a later live session with Getz and Bill's own rhythm section is even better.
It's a twofer from 1974 with great liners by Leonard Feather and another of George Russell's classic albums, "Jazz In The Space Age". There is one downer, though: No original cover(s).
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Marc Myers writes frequently on music and the arts for the Wall Street Journal. He is author of "Why Jazz Happened" (University of California Press). In 2012, JazzWax was named the Jazz Journalists Association's "Blog of the Year."
Was Evans really wrong in considering those recordings "half-baked and below his standards?" If you compare them to his two official solo albums, and the superb solo tracks on several other albums, perhaps not. Evans' standards were very high.
Evans also blocked release of the album with Stan Getz as he didn't feel completely comfortable with the rhythm section. That album would probably be the pride and joy of most pianists, but a later live session with Getz and Bill's own rhythm section is even better.
Posted by: David | October 19, 2011 at 01:19 AM
It aint nothing but the truth, clear genius, almost ethereal talent. In addition, George Russell merits a retrospective.
Posted by: Brian Hope | October 19, 2011 at 11:00 AM
In my searches for Evans, somehow I missed this one. It is indeed a great recording. Looking forward to hearing more about it. Thank You.
Posted by: Win Hinkle | October 20, 2011 at 01:15 PM
Thanks for the LP-recommendation, Marc. -- I've found & purchased a nice reissue:
http://www.ebay.de/itm/390335005000#ht_2965wt_907
It's a twofer from 1974 with great liners by Leonard Feather and another of George Russell's classic albums, "Jazz In The Space Age". There is one downer, though: No original cover(s).
Posted by: Bruno Leicht | October 27, 2011 at 02:06 PM