My Foolish Heart - Bill Evans (1961)

Piano, perfectly executed

Hey, Jazzsters!

We’ll be spending a lot of time in this newsletter in the 1950-60s, because that’s when (in my humble opinion) so much of the best jazz was recorded.

And so today we’re firmly in 1961, with a truly great pianist.

Today’s track:

My Foolish Heart - Bill Evans

• Artist: Bill Evans

• Album: Waltz for Debby

• Year: 1961

Image: By Fauban - I made a photo, CC BY-SA 3.0, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?curid=36727292

Olly’s Take

I’ll start by saying that Bill Evans is not my favourite pianist of all time…

I find him a little bit too clinical and controlled.

But I appreciate him in the same way I appreciate exotic seafood, indie cinema, or a Saville Row suit…

I can tell it’s great, but it’s just not for me.

With that said, I do listen to Bill Evans from time to time, and I think the reason is just as I heard someone say once:

You have the feeling when listening to Bill, that his way is the only way of interpreting a jazz tune.

I forget who said that unfortunately, but that gets to the heart of what I appreciate about Bill Evans…

You know you’re getting a masterpiece whenever you listen to him.

Who am I listening to?

Bill Evans was a pianist who was known for his interpretation of classic jazz tunes, but also as a prolific composer in his own right.

He is revered by pianists for being a “complete” player — accomplished, creative, musical.

Just like Chet Baker, who we met yesterday, Bill Evens was drug addict and there’s something of a cult following that built up around him for that reason alone.

In fact, his piano students were known for taking heroine because they thought that it would help them play like him.

He told them not to, of course.

What’s the music?

The song, My Foolish Heart, is a ballad composed for a 1949 film.

It was borrowed by jazz musicians for the reason all “jazz standards” are — it’s a great, simple tune that musicians can get really creative with.

Kind of like a blank canvas.

This recording is from a classic 1961 album by the Bill Evans Trio - called Waltz for Debby.

The band is a straight-up piano trio, so the instruments you’ve got here are:

• piano

• double bass

• drums

3 things to listen for

Orchestral piano playing

Bill Evans’ piano is like an entire orchestra on the keyboard.

Listen for this richness in his playing:

• Big, thick textures he creates with chords (4:05)

• The counterpoint (multiple musical lines that work together) in his playing (0:55)

• Strong rhythms (2:54)

Textures from the drums

Paul Motian’s drums really contribute to the atmosphere of this track.

Listen for how flurries of cymbals add real texture and excitement to the music

Improvisation

The theme tune ends at around 2:20.

Notice how the energy changes at this point.

For example, can you hear how the bass suddenly gets more active?

That’s because the improvising begins at this point… they’re making it up! Can you hear how the three instruments of the trio are ‘playing off’ and reacting to each other?

This is the magic of jazz.

Share the music!

That’s all for today.

Please email me back and let me know what you most enjoy about this.

That way I know what to do more of!

And, lastly, if you know someone who would appreciate this, please share this newsletter with them using the button below…

Until tomorrow,

Olly Richards