Bill Evans - Everybody Digs Bill Evans

It's a peterman two-fer today, with another one of his suggestions. I needed to do a classic review today, and it doesn't get much more classic than Mr. Evans here. I'll fully admit that jazz is way out of my comfort zone - but on the occasion I don't mind saddling up with a little smooth piano. In fact, I adore the piano when used properly in rock or rap songs. I tend to gravitate toward them as my favorites on any current records. Bill was born in 1929 and died in 1980 at age 51. He was born in New Jersey from parents that migrated over from other counties. He got his start at a very young age playing piano in other bands as a fill in. His first professional job was in Chicago playing backup for Billie Holiday. As most young males, he got drafted to the army in the 50's which put a temporary halt on the music game. He got back to work with Miles Davis and play with him on stage a few times. Davis said in his autobiography how much he loved Evans play, and said he had a fire for the piano unmatched by anyone else in the business. Of course Evans started getting heavy into drug use around this time, and people around him seemed to know he was heading down a bad road. He ended up suffering a slow, painful drug related death - mostly due to heroin and cocaine. This album was considered to be completely fresh and new when it came out in 1958. His expert pedal use and block chord style was unseen before to even the best pianists. The proof is in the pudding here, as even a novice like me can sit back and enjoy the melodies. It's not something I'd choose to put on frequently, but when the mood struck, it would certainly do the trick.

TRACK LISTING:
1. Minority
2. Young and Foolish
3. Lucky To Be Me
4. Night and Day
5. Epilogue
6. Tenderly
7. Peace Piece
8. What is There To Say?
9. Oleo
10. Epilogue
11. Some Other Time

Listen To Samples

Top 3 Tracks:
1. Oleo
2. Young And Foolish
3. Tenderly

FINAL RATING:
3.25 out of 5 stars