Bill Evans - The Secret Sessions: Recorded At The Village Vanguard 1966-1975 (1996)

During an 18-year period, fan Mike Harris went to the Village Vanguard whenever pianist Bill Evans appeared and privately taped his performances. More than a decade after Evans' death, Harris made all the proper legal arrangements and producer Orrin Keepnews released music from 26 different occasions on this eight-CD box set, 104 selections in all. With the exception of the first date (and to a lesser extent the last one), the recording quality is surprisingly good, making this a real bonanza for Bill Evans' other fans. The pianist is joined by bassist Eddie Gomez on all of the numbers (except for the first eight, which have Teddy Kotick), along with drummers Arnie Wise, Joe Hunt, Philly Joe Jones, Jack DeJohnette (clearly the most modern of the drummers), John Dentz, Marty Morell and Eliot Zigmund. Since Evans' style did not evolve much during the period, Eddie Gomez's growth as a soloist and the way that the various drummers adapt their styles to Evans' are probably the two main reasons to acquire the set. But Bill Evans fanatics do not have to be told twice about this attractive package's existence.

Tracklist:

CD 1 - The Secret Sessions: Recorded At The Village Vanguard (1966-1975)
01. Very Early (Live / March 1966)
02. 'Round Midnight (Live / March 1966)
03. One For Helen (Live / March 1966)
04. Blue In Green (Live / March 1966)
05. Turn Out The Stars (Live / March 1966)
06. Waltz For Debby (Live / March 1966)
07. Time Remembered (Live / March 1966)
08. Autumn Leaves (Live / March 1966)
09. I Should Care (Live / July 3, 1966)
10. Elsa (Live / July 3, 1966)
11. Who Can I Turn To (When Nobody Needs Me) (Live / July 3, 1966)
12. My Foolish Heart (Live / July 3, 1966)
13. In Your Own Sweet Way / Five (Theme) (Live / July 3, 1966)

CD 2 - The Secret Sessions: Recorded At The Village Vanguard (1966-1975)
01. Gloria's Step (Live / October 7, 1966)
02. Nardis (Live / October 7, 1966)
03. Some Day My Prince Will Come (Live / October 7, 1966)
04. Who Can I Turn To (When Nobody Needs Me) (Live / November 10, 1966)
05. Come Rain Or Come Shine (Live / November 10, 1966)
06. If You Could See Me Now (Live / November 10, 1966)
07. Spring Is Here (Live / November 10, 1966)
08. Re: Person I Knew (Live / November 10, 1966)
09. A Sleepin' Bee (Live / November 10, 1966)
10. Emily (Live / November 12, 1966)
11. Alfie (Live / November 12, 1966)
12. Walkin' Up (Live / November 12, 1966)
13. You're Gonna Hear From Me (Live / November 12, 1966)
14. Some Other Time (Live / November 12, 1966)

CD 3 - The Secret Sessions: Recorded At The Village Vanguard (1966-1975)
01. I'll Remember April (Live / November 12, 1966)
02. Alice In Wonderland (Live / November 12, 1966)
03. I Love You (Live / November 12, 1966)
04. Very Early (Live / January 8, 1967)
05. Time Remembered (Live / January 8, 1967)
06. 'Round Midnight (Live / January 8, 1967)
07. Stella By Starlight (Live / January 8, 1967)
08. Turn Out The Stars (Live / January 8, 1967)
09. My Man's Gone Now (Live / February 26, 1967)
10. In A Sentimental Mood (Live / February 26, 1967)
11. When I Fall In Love (Live / February 26, 1967)
12. Nardis (Live / February 26, 1967)

CD 4 - The Secret Sessions: Recorded At The Village Vanguard (1966-1975)
01. Come Rain Or Come Shine (Live / March 4, 1967)
02. Gloria's Step (Live / March 4, 1967)
03. 'Round Midnight (Live / March 4, 1967)
04. Blue In Green (Live / May 19, 1967)
05. Waltz For Debby (Live / May 19, 1967)
06. Detour Ahead (Live / May 19, 1967)
07. On Green Dolphin Street (Live / May 19, 1967)
08. My Foolish Heart (Live / May 21, 1967)
09. If You Could See Me Now (Live / May 21, 1967)
10. Elsa (Live / May 21, 1967)
11. How Deep Is The Ocean (Live / May 26, 1967)
12. Polka Dots And Moonbeams (Live / May 26, 1967)
13. I'm Getting Sentimental Over You (Live / May 26, 1967)
14. I Should Care (Live / May 26, 1967)

CD 5 - The Secret Sessions: Recorded At The Village Vanguard (1966-1975)
01. Star Eyes (Live / May 28, 1967)
02. Peri's Scope (Live / May 28, 1967)
03. Haunted Heart (Live / May 28, 1967)
04. Airegin (Live/ May 28, 1967)
05. Little Lulu (Live / May 28, 1967)
06. Five (Theme) (Live / May 28, 1967)
07. Turn Out The Stars (Live / June 1, 1967)
08. Nardis (Live / June 1, 1967)
09. California Here I Come (Live / June 1, 1967)
10. Very Early (Live / June 1, 1967)
11. Easy Living (Live / June 1, 1967)
12. Wonder Why (Live / June 1, 1967)
13. Time Remembered (Live / September 3, 1967)
14. You And The Night And The Music (Live / September 3, 1967)

CD 6 - The Secret Sessions: Recorded At The Village Vanguard (1966-1975)
01. Beautiful Love (Live / February 4, 1968)
02. Waltz For Debby (Live / February 4, 1968)
03. I Fall In Love Too Easily (Live / February 4, 1968)
04. My Man's Gone Now (Live / August 23, 1968)
05. Who Can I Turn To (When Nobody Needs Me) (Live / August 23, 1968)
06. Polka Dots And Moonbeams (Live / August 23, 1968)
07. Emily (Live / August 23, 1968)
08. Ev'rything I Love (Live / September 15, 1968)
09. Someday My Prince Will Come (Live / September 15, 1968)
10. The Shadow Of Your Smile (Live / September 15, 1968)
11. A Sleepin' Bee (Live / December 13, 1968)
12. Blue In Green (Live / December 13, 1968)
13. For Heaven's Sake (Live / December 22, 1968)
14. Love Is Here To Stay (Live / December 22, 1968)

CD 7 - The Secret Sessions: Recorded At The Village Vanguard (1966-1975)
01. In A Sentimental Mood (Live / February 2, 1969)
02. How My Heart Sings (Live / February 2, 1969)
03. On Green Dolphin Street (Live / February 2, 1969)
04. My Foolish Heart (Live / February 15, 1970)
05. Stella By Starlight (Live / February 15, 1970)
06. Midnight Mood (Live / April 18, 1970)
07. What Are You Doing The Rest Of Your Life (Live / April 18, 1970)
08. I Should Care (Live / April 18, 1970)
09. Autumn Leaves (Live / April 18, 1970)
10. Re: Person I Knew (Live / December 1971)
11. Alfie (Live / December 1971)
12. Very Early (Live / December 1971)

CD 8 - The Secret Sessions: Recorded At The Village Vanguard (1966-1975)
01. Polka Dots And Moonbeams (Live / August 12, 1973)
02. Mornin' Glory (Live / August 12, 1973)
03. Yesterday I Heard The Rain (Live / August 12, 1973)
04. Emily (Live / August 12, 1973)
05. Time Remembered (Live / August 12, 1973)
06. Who Can I Turn To (When Nobody Needs Me) (Live / January 12, 1974)
07. Dolphin Dance (Live / January 12, 1974)
08. Sugar Plum (Live / January 26, 1975)
09. Turn Out The Stars (Live / January 26, 1975)
10. Quiet Now (Live / January 26, 1975)
11. Waltz For Debby (Live / January 26, 1975)