About

A TAV Curator’s Pick.

Bill Evans was left reeling by the accidental death of his brilliant bassist Scott LaFaro in mid-1961 and didn't feel ready to record with his new bassist until nearly a year later. When he did go into the studio in May and June of 1962 with Chuck Israels and drummer Paul Motian, the "second trio" produced material for two albums that were to be among Evans's most popular. Moonbeams includes ballad material from the sessions. The rest of the music from the sessions is in How My Heart Sings!. In Moonbeams, Evans did some of his most introspective playing, his sense of loss apparent but relieved by Israels's power and empathy. "Polka Dots and Moonbeams," "If You Could See Me Now," and the others represent Evans at his best, his lyricism underlaid with rhythmic firmness even in the extraordinarily slow "In Love in Vain." - Concord Music

“Despite material that was so natural for Evans to play, particularly with his trademark impressionistic sound collage style, is that other than as a sideman almost ten years before, he has never been more assertive than on Moonbeams. It is as if, with the death of LaFaro, Evans' safety net was gone and he had to lead the trio alone. And he does first and foremost by abandoning the impressionism in favor of a more rhythmic and muscular approach to harmony.” - AllMusic

Musicians: 

• Bill Evans, piano
• Chuck Israels, bass
• Paul Motian, drums

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