Portrait In Jazz [Hybrid SACD]

Portrait in Jazz was the first of only four (official) albums made by what Evans fans know as "the first trio" - the one with Scott La Faro and Paul Motian - which introduced a new approach to the music of a jazz piano trio. Whereas the conventional trio tended to feature the pianist as a 'star soloist' with bass and percussion essentially as 'accompanists' with a fixed and limited role, Evans, La Faro and drummer Paul Motian aimed to develop more of a sense of equal and spontaneous interplay. Scott La Faro was the right man in the right place: his virtuoso technique and strong musical personality enabled him to play the more active, assertive (but compatible) role Evans wanted for the group. By the time this trio played its famous sessions at The Village Vanguard (Live at the Village Vanguard and Waltz for Debby) this 'collective improvisation' was well developed. Portrait in Jazz being the first album by the trio, the roles within the group are sometimes still fairly conventional, with bass and drums functioning as a 'rhythm section' with the pianist spotlighted as 'leader'. However, there's a strong sense of discovery and enthusiasm which, I think, gives the music a greater freshness and vitality than the subsequent albums by this trio and it's those qualities, along with the sensitive, alert musicianship of the trio which makes this one of the most absorbing and enjoyable of Evans's many albums.

Part of its appeal is also the excellent choice of material, but much of the interest lies in what Evans in particular does with it. Often this is mainly a matter of the unusual chord voicings and adjustments of rhythm and phrasing he gives to a familiar tune, which open up wider harmonic and rhythmic perspectives for improvising. You hear this from the opening bars of the first number, "Come Rain or Come Shine" and it's evident also in the slower ballads, a haunting version of "Spring is Here" and a probing reading of "When I fall in Love". Notice for example how, on the latter very familiar tune, Evans's slightly 'off-centre' harmonies create a different kind of emotional tone from the suave, sentimental one which singers usually give it. Among the other high spots are the famous up-tempo version of "Autumn Leaves", with its infectious swing and lively interplay between piano and bass, similarly propulsive readings of "What is this Thing Called Love" and "Some Day My Prince Will Come" and a marvellous "Blue in Green" on which the rapport between Evans and his partners is especially close.

This is a classic piano jazz album, and one that never seems to lose its freshness. Highly recommended.

All of Bill Evans' Riverside recordings are, in my opinion, classics - yes, even the 'alternate takes'. What make the alternate takes valuble to me is the chance to hear the sidemen (Scott LaFaro on bass and Paul Motian on drums) explore different melodies and solos. "Autumn Leaves" is a case in point here. As a musician myself, it is fascinating to hear the subtle differences between the stereo and mono takes and the different ideas by all three players. I must disagree with the previous reviewer who thinks that the "bonus" tracks are invalid both as music and marketing. Originally, when first reissued on a double LP entitled "Spring Leaves" - containing both single LPs "Explorations" recorded in 1961, and "Portrait in Jazz" recorded in 1959 - the "bonus" tracks were simply called "previously unissued", and included both the mono version of "Autumn Leaves" as well as a version of "The Boy Next Door". This was not a marketing ploy, as the double LP was very fairly priced and contained enough material without the added tracks. It was done for historical purposes and cleared by the artist. The stereo equipment had malfunctioned on the one - we will never know whether or not Bill Evans was or was not satisfied with the take, but it is true that Evans was not fully satisfied with "The Boy Next Door" and it was not included in the single LP "Explorations". Later, though, Evans would look back and be less critical, allowing these to be released as part of that Milestone "twofer". He also states plainly in the liner notes that he feels both of these LPs to be some of his best work. I concur. There is not one single track on "Portraits in Jazz" that dips below the highest standard. The near-telepathic communication between Evans and LaFaro has been well documented and is clearly heard on all tracks. Also, Paul Motian should never be underestimated, as his tastefullness is beyond question on this and every other recording with Evans and LaFaro. I do miss the 'alternate take' , momo, of "Spring Leaves" on my single LP of Portraits I Jazz - which is in much better shape than the Milestone 'two-fer. I will say this: I cherish the Milestone re-issue because of the liner notes, which contain much information about both the men, the music, and a lengthy conversation with Evans regarding the time and the feelings associated with all the recordings. The 2-record set was released in 1976 and produced, as were the original single LPs, by Orrin Keepnews.

As I understand it, this was the first of Evans' trio work with Lafaro on bass, & Motian on drums. Somewhere I read that the trio setting was Evans' favorite. Anyway, this is the only Bill Evans Trio CD I have. I've heard him in a duo (2 recordings) setting with Jim Hall on guitar, & with the great Miles Davis Quintet on "Kind of Blue" which changed the face of jazz forever.As for the tunes themselves, one need only hear Evans' work on the first cut, "Come Rain or Come Shine" to know this is pure genius at work. I love both versions of Autumn Leaves as well as Blue in Green (both cuts). It should be noted that Scott LaFaro does some interesting interplay with Evans all throughy the album, & I loved that. I give the CD 5 stars & highly recommend it. BTW, I AM NOT the "Ten Buck Store" as Amazon would have you believe. I am a pro jazz guitarist. My real name is Jerry Dubinsky (not my stage name) & wish Amazon.ca would list me as such. I have tried to get them to correct this error, but so far, they have not. Anyway, get this CD & enjoy!!