SHELLY MANNE - BILL EVANS - EMPATHY (180g IMPORT LP)

One of the best and most significant piano jazz trios is at last available once again on vinyl! What a cause for celebration - just put the LP on the turntable of your high-end altar, give the tube-amplifier time to warm up, lower the 12”- tone arm, settle yourself in your favourite armchair and have a feast with Bill Evans, Monty Budwig and Shelly Manne.

Naturally one can get an idea of sorts of the musical quality of this recording on a compact hi-fi set, but to enjoy to the full the wonderfully sure performance of these three jazz greats, the sensitively placed chords of Bill Evans, the swish of the Shelly Manne’s rhythm brush and the wonderfully solid bass playing of Monty Budwig, one really ought to resort to the very best equipment.

An opportunity to hear these three musicians playing together is extremely rare since they were each contractually bound to three different recording companies. It is thanks to producer Creed Taylor that this fascinating recording by the trio (all of whom are no longer among us) came about. Full of concentration and dedication, the three musicians delve deep into the themes of these evergreens (ranging from Gordon Jenkins’s “Goodbye” to the Irish ballad “Danny Boy”), taking up the musical ideas and developing them with complete assuredness, as though in their sleep.

This LP re-release has an extremely attractive gatefold cover, making it a real feast for both eyes and ears!