Momentum (Bill Evans album)

Background

This album was first professionally recorded at a concert with Bill Evans, Eddie Gomez, and Marty Morell in Groningen, Netherlands in 1972. But after almost forty years of preservation a second recording of, Momentum was released. The name of the album was chosen by Nanette Evans, his widow. She claimed, "At the time of this recording in 1972, Bill was experiencing a momentous upswing in his personal life, his health, and his career, she remembered: so I would like to give the album the appropriate title of Momentum."

Bill Evans is known for his quiet, reserved, repeated dominant 7th chords that create a scenic effect. Miles Davis describes it as follows: "Bill had this quiet fire that I loved on piano. The way he approached it, the sound he got was like crystal notes or sparkling water cascading down from some clear waterfall. I had to change the way the band sounded again for Bill's style by playing different tunes, softer ones at first." While a few of the songs still portray the crystal cascading characteristics that are usually attributed to Evans' songs, Lime Tree Records claims that this album consists of a more aggressive style of playing as heard in "Emily" and "My Romance."

This album utilizes many styles of music such as the waltz with a 3/4 rhythm, pizzicato bass, counterpoint and embellished scales. According to allmusic.com, this album truly displays all sides of Evans' emotions from sad ballads to upbeat songs.

Track listing - disc 1

Re: Person I Knew - 7:59
Elsa - 7:04
Turn Out the Stars - 5:13
Gloria's Step - 9:37
Emily - 7:47
Quiet Now - 5:38

Track Listing - disc 2

My Romance - 10:24
Sugar Plum - 11:33
The Two Lonely People - 8:12
Who Can I Turn - 7:49
What Are You Doing the Rest of Your Life - 5:17
Nardis - 6:09

Instrumentalists