Wednesday, October 27, 2010

Hank Jones, Bill Evans, Red Mitchell: Moods Unlimited (1993)

This was one of the more unconventional jazz trios assembled in recent years, including veteran bebop and hard bop pianist Hank Jones, equally venerable bassist Red Mitchell, and relative youngster Bill Evans, best known from Miles Davis' band of the '80s. They came together for a 1982 session that has been reissued by Evidence, and the results are mostly good, despite occasional flubs and meandering by Evans, who did not always sound confident. But it is easy to understand why when listening to the fluid, smooth, routinely brilliant playing of Jones. The absence of a drummer made the instrumental mix and contrast even more vivid; Evans' tenor and soprano stood almost naked at times without covering rhythms. But he mostly met the challenge well, showing some subtlety and depth on soprano. ~ Ron Wynn
Tracklist:
1. Yesterdays - Bill Evans, Arkeen, West
2. There Is No Greater Love - Bill Evans, Jones, Isham
3. All the Things You Are - Bill Evans, Hammerstein, Oscar
4. In a Sentimental Mood - Bill Evans, Ellington, Duke
5. Night and Day - Bill Evans, Porter, Cole
Recorded at Penthouse Recording Studio, New York on October 28 & 30, 1982.
Personnel:
Bill Evans (soprano & tenor saxophones),
Hank Jones (piano),
Red Mitchell (bass)
Buy at Amazon