Koln Concert 1976

In 1976, the Bill Evans Trio was still actively touring, though the pianist was recording very little at the time. In spite of his well-documented "personal problems," Evans was still very much in control when he sat down to play. This CD returns to print a concert recorded for broadcast in Köln, Germany, that was previously issued by Westwind as In His Own Way (a release that incorrectly gave Rome as the location). Evans is in superb form, while bassist Eddie Gomez is featured extensively during this performance, shining particularly brightly with his phenomenal runs in the leader's "Time Remembered," "34 Skidoo," and "Sugar Plum." Drummer Eliot Zigmund, still a relative newcomer at the time, is also a powerful presence. Three bonus tracks feature the 1972 trio with drummer Marty Morell, from a Milan concert. The highlight is easily Evans' fiendishly difficult "T.T.T. (Twelve Tone Tune)." Serious Bill Evans fans should consider this live compilation to be an essential purchase. ~ Ken Dryden|