Yesterday, long-time reader Kurt Kolstad sent along the program sheet (front and back) for the Feb. 21, 1966 concert by pianist Bill Evans at New York's Town Hall. The album, Bill Evans at Town Hall, has "Volume One" tagged onto the end of the title. Yet a "Volume Two" was never issued by Verve, not even in the digital age. As the New York Times concert review from Kurt below indicates, the material not included on the first album was orchestral and largely drowned out Evans. The orchestra: Ernie Royal, Clark Terry and Bill Berry (tp), Bob Brookmeyer, Quentin Jackson and Bill Watrous (tb), Bob Northern (fhr), Jerry Dodgion, George Marge, Eddie Daniels, Frank Perowsky and Marvin Holladay (reeds), Bill Evans (p), Chuck Israels (b), Grady Tate (d) and Al Cohn (arr,cond). The unissued tracks: Willow, Weep for Me, What Kind of Fool Mm I?, Funkallero and Waltz for Debby.
I might add that John S. Wilson, the New York Times reviewer, didn't seem to have a clue about Evans or his playing in his review.
Before we look at the program, how about a clip to give you a sense of how great Evans sounded during the concert?
How about another clip? This is perfection...
Here's the program and review (click to enlarge, then reduce the size by holding down your command key and taping the minus sign)...
