| The Bill Evans Album | |
| Type: | studio |
| Artist: | Bill Evans |
| Cover: | Thebillevansalbum.jpg |
| Released: | End of August/early September 1971[1] |
| Recorded: | May 11–12, 17, 19–20 and June 9, 1971[2] |
| Studio: | CBS 30th Street Studio, New York City |
| Genre: | Jazz |
| Length: | 70:27 |
| Label: | Columbia C 30855 |
| Producer: | Helen Keane |
| Prev Title: | From Left to Right |
| Prev Year: | 1970 |
| Next Title: | Living Time |
| Next Year: | 1972 |
The Bill Evans Album is a recording by the jazz pianist Bill Evans, released in 1971 on the Columbia label. It was his first album to feature all compositions written (or co-written), arranged, and performed by him. On the record, Evans plays both an acoustic and a Fender Rhodes electric piano.
Of the album's seven compositions, four were new for this project: "The Two Lonely People," "Sugar Plum," "T.T.T. (Twelve Tone Tune)," and "Comrade Conrad."[3] Of these, "The Two Lonely People" would become a regular part of the pianist's performing repertoire and was recorded many times.[4] "T.T.T." is a tone row composition, employing the serial technique of composer Arnold Schoenberg; however, Evans "clothe[d] the line with diatonic harmony" and believed that twelve-tone music "was incompatible with the art of improvising."[5]
The title of the song "Re: Person I Knew" (recorded first on his 1962 Moon Beams album) is an anagram of the name of Evans's longtime producer, Orrin Keepnews.[6] The lineup of Evans originals is rounded out by two of his best-known compositions, "Funkallero," which although previously recorded by the pianist on several occasions was first released here,[7] and "Waltz for Debby."
A recording of Evans's composition "Fun Ride" was also made during these sessions and later collected on the compilation Piano Player (1998).[8]
The Bill Evans Album was reissued, with three bonus alternative tracks, by Sony in 2005.
The cover image is based on a photograph taken by music photographer Don Hunstein.
At the Grammy Awards of 1972, the album won the Grammy Award for Best Jazz Instrumental Solo and the Best Jazz Performance by a Group awards.
AllMusic reviewer Scott Yanow gave the album 4 stars, writing, "Although not as distinctive on the electric keyboard as he was on its acoustic counterpart, Evans sounds inspired by its possibilities and is heard in top creative form throughout the date."
Evans biographer Peter Pettinger wrote that the album "was an enterprise of diligence and serious intent, though the musicians were still enjoying themselves, as the frequent foot-tapping testifies; tempi were held steady and the material was challenging to players and listeners alike."[9]
All songs by Bill Evans except where noted.
2005 reissue bonus tracks:
Production