The first of two studio albums by the
Bill Evans-
Scott LaFaro-
Paul Motian trio (both of which preceded their famous engagement at the Village Vanguard), this
Portrait in Jazz reissue contains some wondrous interplay, particularly between pianist
Evans and bassist
LaFaro, on the two versions of "Autumn Leaves." Other than introducing
Evans' "Peri's Scope," the music is comprised of standards, but the influential interpretations were far from routine or predictable at the time.
LaFaro and
Motian were nearly equal partners with the pianist in the ensembles and their versions of such tunes as "Come Rain or Come Shine," "When I Fall in Love," and "Someday My Prince Will Come" (which preceded
Miles Davis' famous recording by a couple years) are full of subtle and surprising creativity. A gem.