The Complete Bill Evans On Verve [Box set] [Original recording remastered]

Editorial Reviews
Amazon.com
The 18 CDs in this exhaustive set provide a comprehensive picture of Bill Evans from 1962 to 1969, a period when the pianist was both consolidating his fame and sometimes taking his music into untested waters, from unaccompanied piano to symphony orchestra. His work with multitracked solo piano, originally released as Conversations with Myself and the later Further Conversations with Myself, was the most remarkable new format for his introspective music. It gave Evans a way to be all the pianists he could be at once--combining densely chordal, harmonically oblique parts with surprising, rhythmic punctuation and darting, exploratory runs. Two dates with drummer Shelly Manne, in 1962 and 1966, reveal the stimulus Evans could find in a new playing relationship, as does the final disc with flutist Jeremy Steig. Evans also revisited significant earlier musical relationships. The Village Vanguard recordings from 1967 reunite him with the great drummer Philly Joe Jones, whose extroverted, polyrhythmic approach always worked wonderfully with the pianist's more introverted style. Along with the virtuosic young bassist Eddie Gomez, they make up one of the most stimulating of the many trios that Evans led throughout his career. There's also a superb set of duets with guitarist Jim Hall, another of Evans's most closely attuned musical partners. Evans's recordings with a symphony orchestra are marred by conductor Claus Ogermann's ponderous arrangements, and some false starts and multiple takes will appeal only to completists, but there are tremendous musical riches here. The set is packaged in an unfinished metal box designed to rust into an original object, but Evans's own originality is apparent everywhere. --Stuart Broomer

Album Description
The packaging for this box set is made of untreated steel and is designed to be a unique, collectible object itself which will change in color, texture and appearance over time, and will rust.

The Complete Bill Evans On Verve, Music, Bill Evans, Ballads, Box Sets (Audio Only), Cool, Jazz, Jazz Music, Modal Music, Pop, Post-Bop, Standards
The Complete Bill Evans On Verve
Average customer rating: 5 out of 5 stars
  • Five stars to those great previous reviews on steel box!
  • Here's my method to deal with the package
  • The package
  • Great, but make sure you need it.
  • Extremelly Beautiful
 The Complete Bill Evans On Verve
Bill Evans
Manufacturer: Polygram Records
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Similar Items:
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  2. The Secret Sessions
  3. The Complete Village Vanguard Recordings, 1961
  4. Turn Out the Stars: Final Village Vanguard Recordings
  5. Last Waltz: The Final Recordings Live

ASIN: B0000047DA
Release Date: 1997-10-07

Tracks:

  1. The Washington Twist
  2. Danny Boy
  3. Let's Go Back To The Waltz
  4. With A Song In My Heart
  5. Goodbye
  6. Believe In You
  7. Reflections In The Park
  8. Night Images
  9. Tree Patterns
  10. Peachtree
  11. Misplaced Cowpoke
  12. A Moment Alone

Tracks:

  1. 'Round Midnight
  2. How About You?
  3. Spartacus Love Theme
  4. Blue Monk
  5. Stella By Starlight
  6. Hey, There
  7. N.Y.C.'s No Lark
  8. Just You, Just Me
  9. Bemsha Swing
  10. A Sleepin' Bee
  11. For Heaven's Sake
  12. A Sleepin' Bee
  13. Always (Breakdown)
  14. Always (Complete Take)
  15. Always (Master Take)
  16. Everything Happens To Me
  17. Dancing In The Dark
  18. Santa Claus Is Coming To Town

Tracks:

  1. I'll See You Again (Breakdown)
  2. I'll See You Again (Complete Take)
  3. I'll See You Again (Master Take)
  4. Little Lulu (Complete Take)
  5. Little Lulu (Complete Take)
  6. Little Lulu (Master Take)
  7. My Heart Stood Still
  8. My Heart Stood Still (Complete Take)
  9. My Heart Stood Still-Rehearsal Fragments
  10. My Heart Stood Still (Complete Take)
  11. My Heart Stood Still
  12. My Heart Stood Still (Master Take)
  13. Grandfather's Waltz (Breakdown)
  14. Grandfather's Waltz (Master Take)
  15. Grandfather's Waltz (False Start)
  16. Grandfather's Waltz (Complete Take)
  17. Melinda (Master Take)
  18. Dark Eyes

Tracks:

  1. Funkallero-Rehearsal Fragments
  2. Funkallero (Master Take)
  3. But Beautiful (Master Take)
  4. Theme From 'The Carpetbaggers'
  5. Theme From 'The Carpetbaggers' (Complete Take)
  6. Theme From 'The Carpetbaggers' (Complete Take)
  7. Theme From 'The Carpetbaggers' (Breakdown)
  8. Theme From 'The Carpetbaggers' (Master Take)
  9. Theme From 'The Carpetbaggers' (Complete Take)
  10. Night And Day-Drum Warmup
  11. Night And Day (Complete Take)
  12. Night And Day (Master Take)
  13. Wnew (Master Take)
  14. How Deep Is The Ocean?
  15. Love Is Here To Stay
  16. Baubles, Bangles, And Beads
  17. Vamp ('Peace Piece') And Spoken Introduction
  18. Nardis
  19. Time Remembered
  20. Someday My Prince Will Come

Tracks:

  1. What Is This Thing Called Love?
  2. Stella By Starlight
  3. 'Round Midnight
  4. Make Someone Happy
  5. Spoken Introduction And Warmup
  6. The Boy Next Door
  7. Little Lulu
  8. My Love Is An April Song
  9. What Kind Of Fool Am I?
  10. What Is This Thing Called Love?
  11. The Touch Of Your Lips
  12. Spoken Introduction And Warmup
  13. The Boy Next Door
  14. Time Remembered
  15. Stella By Starlight

Tracks:

  1. 'Deed I Do
  2. Baubles, Bangles, And Beads
  3. What Kind Of Fool Am I?
  4. Spoken Introduction And Warmup
  5. Come Rain Or Come Shine
  6. How My Heart Sings
  7. Alone Together
  8. Israel
  9. Spoken Introduction And Warmup
  10. Alone Together
  11. Make Someone Happy
  12. My Love Is An April Song
  13. 'Deed I Do
  14. Love Is Here To Stay
  15. California, Here I Come
  16. Warmup ('These Things Called Changes')
  17. What Kind Of Fool Am I?

Tracks:

  1. What Is This Thing Called Love?
  2. Alone Together
  3. California, Here I Come
  4. Come Rain Or Come Shine (Master Take)
  5. Jag Vet En Deglig Rosa (A Beautiful Rose)
  6. Once Upon A Summertime
  7. So Long, Big Time
  8. Monicas Vals
  9. Lucky To Be Me (Master Take)
  10. Vindarna Sucka (Sorrow Wind)
  11. It Could Happen To You (Master Take)
  12. Some Other Time
  13. Om Natten (In The Night)
  14. Come Rain Or Come Shine (Complete Take)
  15. Come Rain Or Come Shine (Complete Take)
  16. Lucky To Be Me (Complete Take)
  17. It Could Happen To You (Complete Take)
  18. It Could Happen To You (Complete Take)
  19. Santa Claus Is Coming To Town

Tracks:

  1. Israel
  2. Elsa
  3. 'Round Midnight
  4. Love Is Here To Stay
  5. How My Heart Sings
  6. Who Can I Turn To (When Nobody Needs Me)?
  7. Come Rain Or Come Shine
  8. If You Could See Me Now
  9. Granados
  10. Valse (Siciliano In G Minor)
  11. Prelude (Prelude #15 In D-Flat Major)
  12. Time Remembered
  13. Pavane
  14. Elegia
  15. My Bells
  16. Blue Interlude (C-Minor Prelude, Op.28)

Tracks:

  1. I Should Care
  2. Spring Is Here
  3. Who Can I Turn To (When Nobody Needs Me)?
  4. Make Someone Happy
  5. Solo-In Memory Of His Father: Prologue/Story Line/Turn Out The Stars/Epilogue
  6. Beautiful Love
  7. My Foolish Heart
  8. One For Helen

Tracks:

  1. I've Got You Under My Skin
  2. My Man's Gone Now
  3. Turn Out The Stars
  4. Angel Face
  5. Jazz Samba
  6. All Across The City
  7. A Simple Matter Of Conviction
  8. Stella By Starlight
  9. Orbit (Unless It's You)
  10. Laura
  11. My Melancholy Baby
  12. I'm Gettin' Sentimental Over You
  13. Star Eyes
  14. Only Child
  15. These Things Called Changes

Tracks:

  1. Emily
  2. Yesterdays
  3. Santa Claus Is Coming To Town
  4. Funny Man
  5. The Shadow Of Your Smile
  6. Little Lulu
  7. Quiet Now
  8. Happiness Is A Thing Called Joe
  9. In A Sentimental Mood
  10. Re: Person I Knew
  11. California, Here I Come
  12. Alfie
  13. Gone With The Wind
  14. Turn Out The Stars
  15. Polka Dots And Moonbeams
  16. Stella By Starlight

Tracks:

  1. Very Early
  2. You're Gonna Hear From Me
  3. Emily
  4. Wrap Your Troubles In Dreams
  5. 'Round Midnight
  6. On Green Dolphin Street
  7. If You Could See Me Now
  8. I'm Getting Sentimental Over You
  9. You're Gonna Hear From Me
  10. G Waltz
  11. California, Here I Come
  12. Emily
  13. Alfie
  14. Wrap Your Troubles In Dreams

Tracks:

  1. In A Sentimental Mood
  2. California, Here I Come
  3. You're Gonna Hear From Me
  4. Alfie
  5. Gone With The Wind
  6. Emily
  7. G Waltz
  8. Wrap Your Troubles In Dreams
  9. In A Sentimental Mood
  10. California, Here I Come
  11. You're Gonna Hear From Me
  12. Alfie
  13. Gone With The Wind
  14. Emily
  15. G Waltz

Tracks:

  1. Wrap Your Troubles In Dreams
  2. On Green Dolphin Street
  3. G Waltz
  4. You're Gonna Hear From Me
  5. Wrap Your Troubles In Dreams
  6. Gone With The Wind
  7. Emily
  8. G Waltz
  9. Spoken Introduction
  10. One For Helen
  11. A Sleepin' Bee
  12. Mother Of Earl
  13. Nardis
  14. Quiet Now

Tracks:

  1. I Loves You, Porgy
  2. The Touch Of Your Lips
  3. Embraceable You
  4. Someday My Prince Will Come
  5. Walkin' Up
  6. Here's That Rainy Day
  7. A Time For Love (Master Take)
  8. Midnight Mood
  9. On A Clear Day (You Can See Forever)
  10. Never Let Me Go
  11. A Time For Love (Complete Take)
  12. Midnight Mood-2 Fragments Medley: All The Things You Are/Midnight Mood

Tracks:

  1. Straight, No Chaser
  2. Lover Man
  3. What's New?
  4. Autumn Leaves
  5. Time Out For Chris
  6. 'Spartacus' Love Theme
  7. So What[4~
  8. Whay Did I Choose You? (Complete Take)
  9. Whay Did I Choose You? (Complete Take)
  10. Whay Did I Choose You? (Complete Take)
  11. Whay Did I Choose You? (Complete Take)
  12. Whay Did I Choose You? (Complete Take)
  13. Whay Did I Choose You? (Complete Take)
  14. Whay Did I Choose You? (Complete Take)
  15. Whay Did I Choose You? (Master Take)

Tracks:

  1. I'm All Smiles (Master Take)
  2. Like Someone In Love (Master Take)
  3. Children's Play Song (Master Take)
  4. Soiree (Complete Take)
  5. Soiree (Master Take)
  6. Soiree (Complete Take)
  7. Lullaby For Helene (Complete Take)
  8. Lullaby For Helene (Complete Take)
  9. Lullaby For Helene (Complete Take)
  10. Lullaby For Helene (Master Take)
  11. What Are You Doing The Rest Of Your Life? (Complete Take)
  12. What Are You Doing The Rest Of Your Life? (Incomplete Take)
  13. What Are You Doing The Rest Of Your Life? (Complete Take)
  14. What Are You Doing The Rest Of Your Life?
  15. The Dolphin-Before (Complete Take)
  16. The Dolphin-Before (Complete Take)
  17. The Dolphin-Before (Complete Take)
  18. The Dolphin-Before (Breakdown)
  19. The Dolphin-Before (Complete Take)
  20. The Dolphin-Before (Breakdown)
  21. The Dolphin-Before (Complete Take)

Tracks:

  1. The Dolphin-Before (Master Take Edited)
  2. The Dolphin-After
  3. Comrade Conrad (Complete Take)
  4. Comrade Conrad (Incomplete Take)
  5. Comrade Conrad (Complete Take)
  6. It Must Be Love (Complete Take)
  7. It Must Be Love (Incomplete Take)
  8. It Must Be Love (Complete Take)
  9. Spoken Introduction
  10. Dancing In The Dark
  11. I Love You
  12. 'S Wonderful

Amazon.com

The 18 CDs in this exhaustive set provide a comprehensive picture of Bill Evans from 1962 to 1969, a period when the pianist was both consolidating his fame and sometimes taking his music into untested waters, from unaccompanied piano to symphony orchestra. His work with multitracked solo piano, originally released as Conversations with Myself and the later Further Conversations with Myself, was the most remarkable new format for his introspective music. It gave Evans a way to be all the pianists he could be at once--combining densely chordal, harmonically oblique parts with surprising, rhythmic punctuation and darting, exploratory runs. Two dates with drummer Shelly Manne, in 1962 and 1966, reveal the stimulus Evans could find in a new playing relationship, as does the final disc with flutist Jeremy Steig. Evans also revisited significant earlier musical relationships. The Village Vanguard recordings from 1967 reunite him with the great drummer Philly Joe Jones, whose extroverted, polyrhythmic approach always worked wonderfully with the pianist's more introverted style. Along with the virtuosic young bassist Eddie Gomez, they make up one of the most stimulating of the many trios that Evans led throughout his career. There's also a superb set of duets with guitarist Jim Hall, another of Evans's most closely attuned musical partners. Evans's recordings with a symphony orchestra are marred by conductor Claus Ogermann's ponderous arrangements, and some false starts and multiple takes will appeal only to completists, but there are tremendous musical riches here. The set is packaged in an unfinished metal box designed to rust into an original object, but Evans's own originality is apparent everywhere. --Stuart Broomer

Album Description

The packaging for this box set is made of untreated steel and is designed to be a unique, collectible object itself which will change in color, texture and appearance over time, and will rust.

Customer Reviews:

4 out of 5 stars Five stars to those great previous reviews on steel box! .......2005-01-14

Over the years, I, too, have struggled with the rusting steel box. It may be a work of art but is so troublesome to handle. Who on earth came up with that idea? Art Director and Designer Patricia Lie? Nobody is lying when they complain about the metal box. These previous reviews are must read, because some of them well prepare prospective buyers for inevitable troubles ahead.
For Bill Evans buffs, most of the music here is great with the sound quality superior to what appeared in previously released original CDs and LPs. Thank god for the improved digital remastering. You even get to hear Bill singing Santa Claus Coming To Town. It's out of tune, but it's Bill Evans singing. I particularly liked the sessions from Trident Club in 1964 and Village Vanguard in 1967. It must be said, however, that it takes a hard core Billevansphile not only to appreciate but even to put up with some of the tunes, both complete and incomplete, played over and over as part of the recording process. And those repeated repertoires are not those famous and polular ones.
The booklet is outstanding not only in content but also as a work of art. I really got a lot out of the panel discussion on Bill by those surviving fellow jazz pianists and all those former side men of Bill Evans Trios, ranging from Paul Motian to Mark Johnson, who need no introduction to those Bill Evans enthusiasts. What makes me wonder and sad is why Bill never played my most favorite tune Waltz for Debby during his Verve years.

5 out of 5 stars Here's my method to deal with the package.......2003-06-11

Like all of the other reviewers, I love the music on this set of 18 CDs. But the package is absolutely ridiculous!!!

Here's what I did about it. First there are two problems with the packaging: the rusty metal case which gets rust all over my fingers and clothes and the glue from inside the CD sleeves which gets on the CDs and is impossible to get off rendering the CDs unplayable. When I got my first set, I noticed the glue on the CDs. Later, when I tried to play the CDs, the glue caused the laser to skip. I tried to get the glue off but was unable. I contacted Verve records. Although they offered to send me a few replacement discs, they never actually delivered. When I called to follow-up, they just blew me off.

During the time I had this first set, it rusted quite a bit and I got the rust all over my hands and clothes. I returned this set and received a new one. While I was waiting for the new one, I thought about how I was going to deal with the rust. My solution, I purchased a spray can of quick drying lacquer. I thought, as soon as the new package arrives, I'll spray the metal with lacquer.

Great idea! When the new set arrived, it had a little rust on it which I cleaned off with some 000 steel wool then gave it a quick spray of lacquer.

As far as the glue goes, this set also had some glue on the CDs but I was able to clean it off. Now, I don't keep the CDs in the package so I don't get anymore glue on them and the package isn't rusting!

Is this too much to go through for a $300 set?

Verve, just throw the package out!!!

5 out of 5 stars The package.......2002-12-06

Okay, I'm going to break the rules here a little (hey, I'm a good customer--Amazon will forgive me). I want to tell you about my experience with the metal box--a real work of art. Anyway, we've heard that the music here is just super. Bill Evans always seemed to deliver. Now, I bought the set today, but we all know that it's been around a while (1997). When I receaved mine, I had to open it with an old t-shirt on so I wouldn't ruin any good clothes (the rust was everywhere. Then, I thought well it might be nice to hear some of the music. Now we have the problem of first opening the deadly sharp metal box, finding another somewhat less rusty metal disc holder to deal with, then trying to get the discs out of that without droping them on the floor as they flop unexpectedly from the inner metal disc holder. My answer to this mess: I'll put the discs in a CD wallet and put the "beautiful" box on display (away from other discs so that it will not continue to do that much loved rust thing all over my expensive collection on Japanese imports. Five stars for the music, or course. And another five for the worst concept in box sets ever.

5 out of 5 stars Great, but make sure you need it........2002-08-19

Without a doubt, Bill Evans' total output on Verve contains some of the greatest jazz ever recorded, period. Within are the milestones (discs 2 & 12-"Conversations with Myself" and "Further Conversations"), the sublime (discs 9 & 10-"Live at Town Hall" and "Intermodulation" duets with Jim Hall), and a lot of repetetive, more ordinary things (disc 7 with vocalist Monica Zetterlund). So if you aren't a hard-core collector who appreciates all the outtakes (many gems on discs 16-18, "From Left to Right" outtakes) and different live versions of the same tunes, I suggest buying the individual masterpieces. The too-cute case and packaging is hard to use. Mine is rusted already, and tough to handle.

5 out of 5 stars Extremelly Beautiful.......1999-09-12

It's worth every penny: in a handsome steel box (that will age beautifully into a rusty case) there is all the Bill Evans we could ever want. I never get tired of it. Highly recommended!

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