Bill Evans Trio – At Shelly’s Manne-Hole, Hollywood, California (1963) (OJC-Riverside)

For a CD that opens with "Isn't It Romantic," this is a relatively sparser, more aggressive Evans album. Compared to "Waltz for Debbie," for example, you won't hear as much of the soaring notes and atmospheric, delicate harmonies for which he is so famous. That said, it is still a fabulous CD, and just shows a different side of Evans.
Evans plays a wonderful collection of (mostly) standards, swinging on "The Boy Next Door (5:26)," with a nice bass solo by trio member Chuck Israels and some lilting runs by Evans. In the group, bass is emphasized more than drums (or just recorded better). There are several bass solos (e.g., on "Wonder Why," "Our Love is Here to Stay", and "All the Things You Are," to name a few) by the excellent Israels, but be forewarned if that's not your thing. Larry Bunker's drumming is very good, but sometimes nothing special.
"Swedish Pastry (5:55)" is a good example of the slightly different approach on this CD; Evans' boppish attack recalls the great Bud Powell. It also features an excellent Max Roach-like approach by Bunker. "Out Love is Here to Stay (4:51)" stays fairly close to the melody, but Evans' swinging style and assertive comping by Israels and Bunker keep it moving. He takes Monks' "'Round Midnight (9:07)" at a slow pace, alternating brooding tones with lighter single-note runs. I enjoyed the Israels/Evans duo on this very much. "All the Things You Are" (the almost obligatory bonus CD track) begins somewhat intellectual and studied, then somehow accomplishes a playful/abstract mood. The final cut "Blues in `F' (5:44)" is vintage Evans, with excellent comping by Israels and Bunker. As with some of the other songs, there's too little of Evans' playing–but he's a master when he plays.
The audience offers polite applause: neither detracting nor adding much to this live set. Recording quality is very good, and there are excellent liner notes by Chuck Israels. By the way, other than the famous "Village Vanguard" CDs, this 1963 set is the only live recording Evans made for Riverside (and also the last he made for the financially strapped company.)
I think this is an excellent album for Evans fans who want a taste of something different, and especially for those who like a lot of excellent bass work.

Personnel:

Bill Evans - Piano
Chuck Israels - Bass
Larry Bunker – Drums

Tracklist:

01. Isn't It Romantic?
02. The Boy Next Door
03. Wonder Why
04. Swedish Pastry
05. Our Love Is Here to Stay
06. 'Round Midnight
07. Stella by Starlight
08. All the Things You Are (Bonus Track)
09. Blues in "F" (Bonus Track)

Recorded In Los Angeles, May 14 & 19, 1963

Sound Quality: 8+