Bill Evans a Simple Matter of Conviction

What separated this from the average good Bill Evans date was the inclusion of Shelly Manne on drums, who inventively pushed and took unexpected chances. This was Eddie Gomez' (bass) debut release with Evans (piano) and it was quite impressive. There were numerous takes at this session and judging from Chuck Briefer's liners it might be interesting to hear them released.

Bill Evans - Empathy + Pike's Peak (1962) {Essetial Jazz Classics EJC55565 rel 2013}
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© 1962, 2013 Verve / Epic / Essetial Jazz Classics | EJC55565
Jazz / Hard Bop / Piano

This release presents the complete Bill Evans trio album Empathy (Verve LPV6-8497). The LP marks the pianist’s first of only two collaborations with drummer Shelly Manne (the second, A Simple Matter of Conviction, was taped in 1966). Also it is included vibes player Dave Pike’s complete quartet LP Pike’s Peak (Epic LA16025), recorded during the same period and extensively featuring Bill Evans. Both LPs present Evans in unusual contexts, and he would never again record the majority of the songs featured here. As a final bonus, a second version of Gordon Jenkins’ “Goodbye”, taken from a quartet session by Evans with Cannonball Adderley.

This unusual set has five selections from a date featuring the great tenor Coleman Hawkins, pianist Hank Jones, bassist George Duvivier, and drummer Shelly Manne. Both "Take the 'A' Train" and "Cherokee" find the group at times playing two tempos at once (Manne sticks to double-time throughout "Cherokee"), and showing that they'd heard some of the avant-garde players. The most swinging piece, "Avalon," was previously available only on a sampler, while "Me and Some Drums" features Hawkins and Manne in a very effective duet; the veteran tenor makes his only recorded appearance on piano during the first half. This date is rounded off by a pair of trio features for Eddie Costa (with Duvivier and Manne); one song apiece on vibes and drums. A very interesting set with more than its share of surprises.

One of the least interesting groups that drummer Shelly Manne led can be heard on this long out-of-print Mainstream LP. Manne tried hard to keep his mind open to the avant-garde and free jazz during this era but his septet (comprised of trumpeter Gary Barone, John Gross on tenor, pianist Mike Wofford, guitarist John Morell, bassist Jeffry Castleman and percussionist Brian Moffatt) only had one distinctive soloist (Wofford) and the group originals (by Wofford and Morell) are uncomfortable and immediately forgettable. Despite a few good solos, this is one of the weaker Shelly Manne albums.