冒頭のアナウンスはご愛嬌だが、それに続く Mornin' Glory 、徐々に高まりつつある会場の雰囲気、阿吽の呼吸のリズムセクション。憧れのビルエバンストリオを間近にして「あー今日来て良かった」とほほ笑む聴衆の姿が目に浮かぶようである。演奏もさることながら録音の素晴らしさがこのアルバムをしてそういう気持ちにさせてくれる。よく、ワルツフォーディビィがジャズの、ビルエバンストリオの入門盤として紹介されるが、初めてビルエバンストリオのアルバムを購入しようとする人、さらに聴きこもうと思う人にも絶対に購入を奨めたい。アンコールであろうOn Green Dolphin Street で締めくくられるこのアルバムは、一枚を通して聴きたくなる名盤である。
Muchos y muy buenos discos grabó Bill Evans. Éste es todo un clásico, en directo, con un clima y sensibilidad máximo. No hay nadie con un mínimo de sensibilidad, le guste el jazz o no, que no se rinda ante tanta belleza.
Bill Evans on the brain, have I! I certainly do not blame anyone if they do not trust my reviews of Bill Evans recordings. They are all pretty much the same - "Excellent performance", "Great trio", "Wonderful group dynamic", "My dog is on fire!". I know, I know... What can I say! The man made a lot of great recordings! This is one of them, from a later period where he looks more like Dennis Hopper than Fred Rogers.
Is this an essential recording as far as Bill Evans goes? For me, not really... Yes, it is very fine. But (correct me if I'm wrong)I find that the Cocaine-fueled performances by Evans to be faster paced (huh, who'd a thunk it?) than the earlier Opiate-tinged performances. So, to me, the earlier performances are more "deep" and thoughtful. Also, I think that Evan's get's farther away from his earlier style here.
None the less - Another highly recommended album from this fine artist. To be honest with you, I have not heard all of Bill Evans' albums; I have stuck with acoustic piano recordings only. Why? I do not really care for the sound of electric piano all that much. Strictly a personal preference. And, just so you know, I do not really care for Garbanzo beans in any form!