Bill Evans, Bobby Hutcherson, Karin Krog, Archie Shepp - Live At The Festival (1970-1973) {Enja rel 2007}

This very interesting CD contains four unrelated performances from three editions of Yugoslavia's Ljublijana Jazz Festival. The Bill Evans Trio (with bassist Eddie Gomez and a slightly out-of-place Tony Oxley on drums) plays "Nardis," "'Round Midnight" is explored by the duo of Karin Krog (who half-speaks her vocal) and bassist Arild Andersen, tenor-saxophonist Archie Shepp and his quintet romp through the uptempo blues "Sonny's Back" in fairly straightahead if ragged fashion and, best of all, the 1970 Bobby Hutcherson-Harold Land quintet explores an original in 7/8; Land in particular is outstanding. This CD offers listeners four examples of the jazz modern mainstream of the early '70s.

Nardis is simply the very best and flowing interpretation of this Miles Davis classic caught live from The Bill Evans Trio in 1972.

Round About Midnight captures Karin Krog singing from deep within her heart and soul (73).

Sonny's Back (73) catches Archie Shepp in a straight Be-Bop form with some of the cleanest live playing I have ever heard and…

The Creators (70) is an 18+ minute Hutcherson, Land, R Johnson and J Chambers masterpiece! The vibes will literally take you in to another magical, musical moment in time. Yes this CD is relatively short (40+ minutes) but it is magical. These are all truly the masters of live jazz. Perfect spin!