Bill Evans Trio - Israel / Five (theme) - 19 Mar 65 (5 of 11)

London, March 19, 1965

Personnel:

Bill Evans - p
Chuck Israels - b
Larry Bunker - d

Set:

Part I

Five (theme)
Elsa
Summertime
Come Rain Or Come Shine
My Foolish Heart
Re: Person I Knew
Israel
Five (theme)

Part II

Five (theme)
How My Heart Sings
Nardis
Who Can I Turn To?
Some Day My Prince Will Come
How Deep Is The Ocean?
Waltz For Debby

Notes:

"Israel" is a minor-blues tune written by the American jazz trumpeter John Carisi. Recorded by the Miles Davis Nonet during its "Birth of The Cool" sessions in 1949/1950. Evans' studio version can be found on the album TRIO '65, with the same line-up as here.

This is the third incarnation of Bill Evans' great '60s piano trios, playing at a very high level. Chuck Israels' bass work, in particular, is nothing short of virtuosic. His playing shows the influence of Scott LaFaro -- especially in his use of counterpoint -- but he's supremely inventive.

Background:

Evans' first (and greatest) trio featured the irreplaceable Scott LaFaro on double bass and Paul Motian on drums. After LaFaro's tragic death in a car accident in 1961 (at age 25), Evans was so overcome with grief that he didn't play again publicly for almost a year. In early '62, he reformed his trio and hired Chuck Israels to replace LaFaro. Motian departed the trio in 1964, and was replaced by Larry Bunker.

If you're interested in hearing the greatest of all piano trios, here are the CDs to buy:

PORTRAIT IN JAZZ (1959)
EXPLORATIONS (1961)
THE COMPLETE VILLAGE VANGUARD RECORDINGS, 1961 (3-CDs representing the trio's complete five sets at the Village Vanguard on Sunday, June 25, 1961, 11 days before LaFaro's death).

Category:

Music

Tags:

• London
• 1965
• 65
• live
• concert
• Bill
• Evans
• Trio
• Larry
• Bunker
• Chuck
• Israels
• five
• israel

[zildj1an]

I just love Bill Evans, and especially the tune "Israel". However, this particular performance troubles me. The tempo slowly crept up over the course of the tune. Check out the tempo at about 0:35 and compare it to about 4:40. As a former drummer, I was always taught that once the tempo was established, it should be maintained. Double-timing a section or changes in time signature are one thing, but losing the original tempo is a no-no. Sorry, just my opinion.

[kenjames64]

@zildj1an no need to apologize. I hear it too. A definite increase in tempo.

[Grillmouth]

@kenjames64 this matters why? It makes the song feel natural

[kenjames64]

@Grillmouth dude, it doesn't matter at all. Just saying I hear the slow tempo increase.

[IntuitionDigression]

The first Evans' version of "Israel" is in the album "Explorations", dated February 1961, with Scott LaFaro (bass) and Paul Motian (drums)

[kenjames64]

@IntuitionDigression Thanks for the clarification.

[JmansterJ1806]

@zildj1an Have you ever heard Louis Armstrong's Tiger Rag? There's a definite speedup. I believe this kind of achroncity, or syncopation, is inherent to the jazz form. Billie Holiday sang behind the beat, Sarah Vaughan ahead of it. The rhythm is just a suggestion, not a clearly-defined demarcation. Free your mind, zildj1an!

[zildj1an]

@JmansterJ1806 Yes, I agree. But, in this case, Chuck and Larry are following Bill, totally. Not bad, really. But, from my personal perspective, I would have preferred that the tempo stayed as initiated. Then again, that's just my perspective. Sorry.

[zildj1an]

@JmansterJ1806 Indeed! I was just making an observation. Just love Bill Evans.

[zildj1an]

@Kiwi2375 I tend to agree, but I really still love Bill Evans' style.

[JmansterJ1806]

@JmansterJ1806 musicians follow one another. that's the beauty--and appeal--of a jazz ensemble.

[JmansterJ1806]

@zildj1an you do know this is jazz, right?

[Kiwi2375]

@zildj1an A fault of Bill Evans...he said he tended to rush alot and couldn't keep time very well!

[exavier091]

the whole thing was way too fast imo

[lburdettro]

I knew Larry Bunker as a child and never know how amazing he was. He did deserve more credit for all of his achievements! He was an amazing musician and man. Much love Larry. RIP.