Bill Evans Waltz For Debby: The Complete 1969 Pescara Festival CD - Import

The Bill Evans Trio was recorded in 1969 for broadcast at the debut of the Pescara Jazz Festival in Italy, though the pianist was outraged when the music was bootlegged by a Japanese label a short time later, followed by others, often with the songs mislabeled. In any case, Evans, along with his longest working trio, bassist Eddie Gomez and drummer Marty Morell, are in top form during this hour-long set. Evans shines throughout the date, though his rhythm section plays far more than just a timekeeping role, interacting with him. Gomez's fluid solos are highlights of Evans' arrangement of the lovely ballad "Emily." Whether utilizing brushes or sticks, Morell's drumming is first-rate, especially in the explosive rendition of Miles Davis' modal masterpiece "Nardis." The leader's demanding "Very Early" is a delight, though the introduction is inexplicably clipped from his rendition of "Waltz for Debby," a track also plagued with what sounds like noise from a monitor on-stage. One other amateurish flaw is that Evans is listed as the composer of Denny Zeitlin's "Quiet Now." In any case, fans of Bill Evans will definitely want to pick up this exciting live CD, now available on a Lone Hill Jazz reissue. ~ Ken Dryden

On July 18, 1969, Evans took his trio with Eddie Gomez and Marty Morell to Italy in order to inaugurate the Pescara festival located on the Adriatic coast. The group was recorded live on eleven tracks that were supposed to be broadcast for radio only. But much to the chagrin of Evans and his manager, the concert was released as limited edition on two Japanese CDs. This release contains Bill Evans' Peccary Festival performance, marking the first time all of these songs are found on one disc. 20-bit remastered. Lonehill. 2004.