Bill Evans California Here I Come CD

Personnel: Bill Evans (piano); Eddie Gomez (bass guitar); Philly Joe Jones (drums).
Philly Joe Jones was a member of the Bill Evans Trio for a short time in 1967 but none of his recordings with the pianist were released at the time. This two-LP set from 1982 features the pair (along with bassist Eddie Gomez who had recently started his own longtime association with Evans) in superb form. Jones consistently lit a fire under the pianist and, even though Bill Evans was never just an introspective ballad pianist (which became his stereotype), he does play with some unaccustomed ferocity on several of these selections. The 71 minutes of music feature strong versions of three of Evans' originals (including "Turn Out the Stars") plus a dozen standards, highlighted by "You're Gonna Hear From Me," "Gone With the Wind" and the unlikely "California Here I Come." Well worth searching for. In September 2004, Verve reissued the album in a limited edition, 24-bit remastered CD. Where the original disc sounded thin in places -- as it is a live recording -- the remastered version sounds consistently full and warm throughout. ~ Scott Yanow
Though Bill Evans's work with his Paul Motian/Scott LaFaro group is rightfully celebrated, many of his later ensembles have been unjustly overlooked. One such unit is his trio with bassist Eddie Gomez and the great Philly Joe Jones on drums. CALIFORNIA HERE I COME, recorded live at the Village Vanguard in 1967, was first released in 1982 as a double album, and was reissued (on a single CD) by Verve in 2004.
As with Evans's other trios, a subtle, dynamic, and infallible interplay is paramount. Evans's playing is as nuanced, fluid, and masterful as ever. However, there is another element with this group--an exuberance rarely heard in Evans's work. Gomez and Jones (the latter an old-school master who blends light beat-keeping with sharp, intense polyrhythms) push Evans to new heights of expression on originals ("Turn Out the Stars") and on numerous standards ("Stella by Starlight" and "'Round Midnight" are highlights). That Evans matches the depth of his usual lyricism with high-spirited, ferocious swing makes this set a necessary addition to any fan's collection.