About

Individual title from The Bill Evans Riverside Recordings Box Set
45 RPM, 2LP reissued on 180g black vinyl
Mastered by Kevin Gray & Steve Hoffman at AcousTech Mastering AAA analog from original master tapes

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The legend of Bill Evans really begins with this album, his second. The pianist had just spent most of 1958 as part of one of the major units in jazz history: The Miles Davis Sextet that also featured John Coltrane and Cannonball Adderley. His fellow musicians already knew his worth (the album title was almost literally accurate, and the four endorsements on the cover, which embarrassed Bill, could easily have been greatly multiplied). With this record, the jazz public began to follow their lead.

Here, joined by bassist Sam Jones and drummer Philly Joe Jones, Evans delivers some of his most fluid, swinging trio performances — elegant, lyrical, and rhythmically alive. Yet it's the solo improvisation "Peace Piece" that forever marked his arrival. Built on two hypnotic chords, it unfolds with a quiet intensity that feels both spontaneous and transcendent — a glimpse into the meditative, deeply personal world Evans would explore for the rest of his career.

For collectors, Everybody Digs Bill Evans captures that pivotal moment when a brilliant accompanist became an icon in his own right. It's the bridge between promise and legend, a record that doesn't just showcase Evans' genius — it invites you into it. — (via Label)

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Orrin Keepnews, the founder of one of the great 1950s labels, Riverside Records, and now in his eighties, has set about reissuing a number of classics from that period, including this trio masterpiece Everybody Digs Bill Evans. Here the young pianist – fresh from playing with the Miles Davis Sextet– magically embellishes a variety of cover versions ranging from racy, percussive tunes to lyrical ballads.

Evans has a unique position in the jazz cannon. A great ‘white’ player, his crisp, clean, dashing style would influence the likes of Herbie Hancock, Keith Jarrett and Chick Corea. Evans had learnt his trade listening to contrasting players, chiefly the moody, introspective Thelonius Monk and the percussive extrovert Bud Powell. The great strength of Everybody Digs Bill Evans though, lies both in the player’s deft handling of jazz standards and the soft, exploratory lyricism of his own material. For example, on "Peace Piece" Evans delicately rolls out a flutter of notes to slowly unfold a haunting, but almost hidden, melody.

The set’s opener, "Minority" provides a cracking start, illustrating how perfectly Evans harmonised with his co-players, Sam Jones on bass and Philly Joe Jones on drums. The tune, penned by Gigi Gryce, is gutsy and jaunty with a memorable refrain. And again, on a Sonny Rollins track, "Oleo", Evans’ quick pace unleashes a spikey flurry of notes coalescing around a jittey, intense melody. – (via BBC Music)

Vinyl Tracklist
A1 Minority
A2 Young And Foolish
A3 Lucky To Be Me
A4 Night And Day
A5 Epilogue
B1 Tenderly
B2 Peace Piece
B3 What Is There To Say?
B4 Oleo
B5 Epilogue

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Label: Analogue Productions // Riverside Records
Format: 2 x Vinyl, 12", 45 RPM, Album, Reissue, Stereo, 180g
Reissued: 2025 / Originally Released: 1959
Genre: Jazz
Style: Post Bop

File under: Bill Evans
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