Ultimate Bill Evans
Bill Evans · 1998
71 min · 13 tracks · jazz
A masterful blend of intricate harmonies and delicate melodies, showcasing the depth of jazz piano's emotional range.
Top tracks — play these first
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What Is This Thing Called Love Start here — This track exemplifies Evans' ability to fuse lyrical expression with complex harmonics, offering a fresh interpretation of a classic standard.
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'Round Midnight — Evans' rendition transforms Monk's iconic piece into a haunting exploration of solitude, showcasing his signature touch and emotive phrasing.
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I Believe in You — This track highlights Evans' deft interplay with rhythm and melody, capturing the essence of romantic longing through his improvisational skill.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
InstrumentalThe album showcases strong compositions and skilled performances, making it rewarding for repeated listens.
What we noticed
- The album features a consistent use of intricate piano melodies that often intertwine with subtle bass and drum accompaniment.
- Several tracks, such as 'Round Midnight' and 'I Loves You, Porgy', showcase extended improvisation sections that highlight the musicians' interplay.
- Composition 25% of the score
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8/10
- Craft 20% of the score
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9/10
- Durability 25% of the score
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8/10
- Distinctiveness 18% of the score
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8/10
- Sequencing 12% of the score
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7/10
the writing — melody, harmony, structure, lyrics
production, performance, arrangement
whether it rewards returning to it
whether it sounds like itself
running order, pacing, length
Little footprint beyond its audience. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.
Is this for you?
Good fit if you like
- melodic explorations of love themes
- subtle emotional nuance in piano
- gentle pacing for quiet moments
Maybe skip if you
- prefer upbeat and energetic tracks
- want instant gratification
Where this album fits
- In the catalog
- Starting Point — A comprehensive collection that introduces listeners to Evans' key works.
- Career context
- Released in 1998, Ultimate Bill Evans comes during a period of retrospective appreciation for the legendary pianist, who had passed away in 1980. This compilation album encapsulates his contributions to jazz, highlighting his innovative style that bridged cool jazz and modal jazz. It serves as both an introduction for new listeners and a celebration for long-time fans of his work.
- Stylistic neighbors
- Chick Corea· Keith Jarrett· Herbie Hancock
Moments worth listening for
Where the writing does something specific.
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'Round Midnight
The music shifts from tender introspection to a deeper, more dissonant exploration reflects the complexity of night.
The transition serves as a metaphor for emotional turbulence, aligning with the song’s themes while demonstrating Evans’ mastery of mood through dynamic changes.
Tracklist
- 1 What Is This Thing Called Love Start here 4:49
- 2 'Round Midnight 6:36
- 3 I Believe in You 5:53
- 4 Turn Out the Stars 7:36
- 5 Funkallero 6:42
- 6 I Loves You, Porgy 5:53
- 7 I Should Care 5:02
- 8 Angel Face 6:34
- 9 Walkin' Up 3:33
- 10 N.Y.C.'s No Lark 5:36
- 11 Mother of Earl 5:00
- 12 Jazz Samba 3:09
- 13 A Time for Love 5:05
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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