Bill Evans - The Paris Concert , Edition Two (1984)

ELEKTRA/MUSICIAN MONTH (FEBRUARY 2023)

Hype from the label's PR dept:

More brilliant performances from Bill's historic 1979 Paris Concert. Our first edition was heralded as one of his finest recorded concert performances and was awarded an "Oscar" as Best Jazz Album of 1983 by The Association of French Jazz Critics.

Recorded in Paris, France on November 26, 1979, the same performance as Edition One. The main difference between the two editions is the fact that Edition One was exclusively covers while 4 of the 6 cuts here are Evans originals (some familiar), plus Nardis, a Miles Davis composition that became a signature tune for Evans. Of the two editions, I give this one a slight edge.

Ratings:

• The Rolling Stone Jazz & Blues Album Guide (1999): ★★★★
• The Virgin Encyclopedia of Jazz (1999): ★★★
• The Penguin Guide to Jazz (5th ed., 2000): ★★★½

Album chart peaks:

• US Billboard 200: Did not chart
• Billboard Jazz: #37
• Radio & Records Jazz Airplay: #16

Tracks:

6 tracks, 48½ minutes. The CD's liner notes, written by jazz authority Burt Korall, outline each composition. My top picks today include the four tranquil ballads on the album, Re: Person I Knew, Gary's Theme, Letter To Evan, and Laurie. Guess I'm just in a mellow mood this morning.

Personal Memory Associated with this CD: None

Previously revisited for the blog:
The Paris Concert, Edition One (1983)