New York City's legendary jazz club the Village Vanguard was the setting for Evans's musical triumphs in the early 1960's, and it's ironic it was the scene of his last triumphs. This six-disc set was recorded there in June 1980--Evans would pass away three months hence. Accompanied by bassist Marc Johnson and drummer Joe LaBarbera, Evans gives several of his classic tunes definitive readings. The interplay between these three is astonishing, the audio quality is overall superb, and Evans plays often with what can only be called quiet fire. TURN OUT THE STARS proves he left this world at the top of his game.
Recorded live at the Village Vanguard just months before Evans' sudden death in September, 1980, this material was originally earmarked for an album later that year. However, it remained unissued until 1996 when the compilers discovered Evans' handwritten notes concerning the aborted release.
Listening to these performances with bassist Marc Johnson and drummer Joe LaBarbera, one is struck by how little Evans' overall style had changed in the twenty-four years since his 1956 debut: luxuriously-phrased piano lines, almost horn-like in their length and melodicism, which never lapse into mere vapid prettiness (even on tunes as slick as Paul Simon's "I Do It For Your Love") due to their cerebral, near-abstract quality. Johnson and LaBarbera are an intuitive unit, responding with ease and grace to their leader's occasional flights of fancy.
Bill Evans Trio:
- Bill Evans (piano);
- Marc Johnson (bass);
- Joe LaBarbera (drums).
Recorded live at the Village Vanguard, New York, New York from June 4-6 & 8, 1980.
CD – 01
01. Bill’s Hit Tune
02. Nardis
03. If You Could See Me Now
04. The Two Lonely People
05. Laurie
06. My Romance
07. Tiffany
08. Like Someone In Love
09. Letter To Evan
CD – 02
01. Days Of Wine & Roses
02. Emily
03. My Foolish Heart
04. Nardis
05. Yet Ne’er Broken
06. Quiet Now
07. But Not For Me
08. Spring Is Here
09. Autumn Leaves
CD – 03
01. Your Story
02. Re: Person I Knew
03. Polka Dots & Moonbeams
04. The Two Lonely People
05. Theme From M*A*S*H
06. Tiffany
07. Turn Out The Stars
08. Laurie
09. My Romance
10. Knit For Mary F.
11. Midnight Mood
12. Time Remembered
CD – 04
01. Days Of Wine & Roses
02. Up With The Lark
03. Nardis
04. Your Story
05. Yet Ne’er Broken
06. If You Could See Me Now
07. Bill’s Hit Tune
08. Tiffany
09. In Your Own Sweet Way
CD – 05
01. I Do It For Your Love
02. Five
03. Polka Dots & Moonbeams
04. Bill’s Hit Tune
05. Turn Out The Stars
06. Days Of Wine & Roses
07. But Not For Me
08. Knit For Mary F.
09. Like Someone In Love
10. Quiet Now
CD – 06
01. Emily
02. I Do It for Your Love
03. Nardis
04. Knit For Mary F.
05. Like Someone In Love
06. Letter To Evan
07. Minha
08. A Sleepin’ Bee
09. My Romance/Five
