The Complete Gus Wildi Recordings (2 Cd Set)

Bill Evans

Only Previously Available On Limited Japanese Edition!
3 Complete Albums on 2 CDs!
Over 154 Minutes of Music! Includes 10 Bonus Tracks!

This colossal 2–hour release captures some of the unique pianist’s lesser-known work. The first of the four dates included on this edition was recorded with Jimmy Knepper’s quintet in New York in September 1957. Alto saxophonist Gene Quill, bassist Teddy Kotick and drummer Dannie Richmond round out the group.
The second date is a very rare 1959 session with Evans accompanying singer Frank Minion. Featuring the full rhythm section of Miles’ legendary sextet – Evans, Paul Chambers and Jimmy Cobb – the quartet performs homage to the legendary album Kind Of Blue with excellent versions of So What and Flamenco Sketches and with original lyrics by Minion. The band also performs Monk’s modern standard Round Midnight.
The third session – recorded in August 1957 – features Evans with the Charles Mingus sextet. The date is legendary in that Evans found out about it six hours prior to recording and sight-read everything to perfection. Not an easy task with Mingus compositions!
The bonus tracks included complete Charles Mingus and Jimmy Knepper’s association with Gus Wildi. This means that not only does this astounding compilation contain Bill Evans’ complete recordings with Wildi, but Mingus’ and Knepper’s as well!

Tracklisting:

CD-1
1. You Stepped Out of a Dream
2. Love Letters
3. Ogling Ogre
4. How High the Moon
5. Idol of the Flies
6. Avid Admirer
7. So What
8. Flamenco Sketches
9. 'Round Midnight
10. Memories of you
11. East Costing
12. Celia
13. Conversation

CD-2
1. Fifty-first Street Blues
2. East Costing (alt. take)
3. Memories of you (alt. take)
4. Scenes in the City (bonus track)
5. Nouroog (bonus track)
6. New York Sketchbook (bonus track)
7. Duke's Choice (bonus track)
8. Slippers (bonus track)
9. Bounce (bonus track)
10. Slippers (bonus track - alt.take)
11. Gee Baby, Ain't I Good to You (bonus track)
12. Close as Pages in a Book (bonus track)
13. Irresistible You (bonus track)


Reviews:

“Everything I’ve learned, I’ve learned with feeling being the generating force. I’ve never approached the piano as a thing in itself, but as a gateway to music.”
– Bill Evans

“Knepper's originals have a flavor and dash to them that is refreshing. Bill Evans romps every chance he gets. Recommended.”
- Dom Cerulli, Down Beat (Original 1957 Record Review)