Gordon Beck's tribute to the late jazz pianist
Bill Evans is unusual in many ways. Though he admits to being influenced by
Evans, the connection isn't as obvious during most of the tracks on this album. Aside from utilizing one-time
Evans sideman
Jack DeJohnette on drums and covering just one piece recorded by
Evans ("Blue in Green," the leader's inspiration is indirectly applied. Also joining him are violinist
Didier Lockwood (on selected tracks) and bassist
Dave Holland, starting with
Beck's furious "You Are All the Things" (a deliberately obvious reworking of "All the Things You Are").
Beck's "Mister E" captures the spirit of
Evans yet never sounds like an attempt to clone
Evans' approach. The leader's lyrical "Trio Type Tune Two?" is inspired by
Evans' "Twelve Tone Tune Two," though it is not quite as striking. Also of merit are
Beck's jaunty "For Evans Sake," the driving "Not the Last Waltz" (which
DeJohnette impressively opens unaccompanied), and the moody ballad "He Is with Us Still." ~ Ken Dryden