Herbie Mann & The Bill Evans Trio • Nirvana

It is surprising that this obscure session featuring Herbie Mann with the Bill Evans Trio (making its first recordings following the sudden death of bassist Scott LaFaro just a short time after the trio's landmark gig at the Village Vanguard) only reappeared on LP during the initial wave of CD reissues during the 1980s, but it is available once again nearly 40 years after it was completed. Mann, who has changed his style numerous times throughout his long career, is heard exclusively in a straight-ahead and bop context on this pair of studio dates. Evans, who studied flute through his college years, rarely recorded with a flutist (Jeremy Steig joined him on a later record for Verve), though he was fond of the instrument; the capable Chuck Israels on bass and drummer Paul Motian round out the trio. The low-key "Willow Weep for Me" and impressionist composer Erik Satie's Gymnopedie bring out the lyricism of Mann's playing, though the trio's backing is very understated. Things open up a bit with a sparkling take of Cole Porter's "I Love You." Mann's two originals, "Nirvana" and "Cashmere," aren't quite as memorable; substituting one of Evans' compositions for either of them might have provided some additional spark.
by Ken Dryden

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Es sorprendente que esta oscura sesión en la que participa Herbie Mann con el Bill Evans Trio (haciendo sus primeras grabaciones tras la repentina muerte del bajista Scott LaFaro, poco después de la histórica actuación del trío en el Village Vanguard) sólo reapareció en LP durante la primera ola de reediciones de CD durante los años 80, pero está disponible de nuevo casi 40 años después de su finalización. Mann, que ha cambiado de estilo en numerosas ocasiones a lo largo de su larga carrera, se escucha exclusivamente en un contexto straight-ahead y bop en este par de fechas de estudio. Evans, que estudió flauta durante sus años de universidad, rara vez grabó con un flautista (Jeremy Steig se le unió en un disco posterior para Verve), aunque le gustaba el instrumento; el capaz Chuck Israels en el bajo y el baterista Paul Motian completan el trío. El bajo "Willow Weep for Me" y la Gymnopedie del compositor impresionista Erik Satie resaltan el lirismo de la interpretación de Mann, aunque el respaldo del trío es muy discreto. Las cosas se abren un poco con una brillante toma de "I Love You" de Cole Porter. Los dos originales de Mann, "Nirvana" y "Cachemira", no son tan memorables; sustituir una de las composiciones de Evans por cualquiera de ellas podría haber proporcionado alguna chispa adicional.

por Ken Dryden


Tracks
1 Nirvana Mann, Sims 5:50
2 Gymnopedie Satie 3:19
3 I Love You Dukowski, Jenkins, Porter, Walker 7:13
4 Willow Weep for Me Ronell 5:33
5 Lover Man Davis, Davis, Ramirez, Sherman 4:51
6 Cashmere Mann


Personal
Bill Evans - piano
Herbie Mann - flute
Chuck Israels - bass
Paul Motian - drums

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