Everybody Digs Bill Evans

History

Everybody Digs Bill Evans was the artist's second album, done two years after his first record as a leader. Even though his producer tried to encourage him to record again sooner, the highly self-critical Evans felt he had "nothing new to say" before this album.

The recording captures Evans at a time when he was into playing block chords. That combined with his expert use of pedals gave him a fresh, distinctive sound that had never been heard before on the piano.

It was reissued in 1987 with one bonus track.

Reception

Writing for Allmusic, music critic Michael G. Nastos called the album "a landmark recording for the young pianist... Though not his very best effort overall, Evans garnered great attention, and rightfully so, from this important album of 1958." Samuel Chell of All About Jazz wrote: "With its varied tempos, rhythms and programming, Everybody Digs Bill Evans sustains interest without allowing the listener for a moment to mistake the singular, inimitable voice of the leader. It's not hard to understand why many Evans followers, 'casual' and otherwise, list it as their favorite of the pianist's recordings. It's doubtful there's a more introspective, meditative trio set on record, yet the pianist shows he can dance as well."

Track listing

1. "Minority" (Gigi Gryce) – 5:23
2. "Young and Foolish" (Albert Hague, Arnold B. Horwitt) – 5:54
3. "Lucky to Be Me" (Leonard Bernstein, Betty Comden, Adolph Green) – 3:41
4. "Night and Day" (Cole Porter) – 7:35
5. "Tenderly" (Walter Gross) – 3:34
6. "Peace Piece" (Bill Evans) – 6:44
7. "What Is There to Say?" (Vernon Duke, Yip Harburg) – 4:55
8. "Oleo" (Rollins) – 4:09
9. "Epilogue" (Bill Evans) – 0:41
10. "Some Other Time" (Leonard Bernstein, Betty Comden, Adolph Green) – 6:09

Personnel