Bill Evans - The Paris Concert: Edition One & Edition Two (Reissue 2001)

The two LP editions recorded at this Paris concert were the last examples of Bill Evans' playing to be released at the time. With bassist Marc Johnson and drummer Joe La Barbera, Evans had one of the strongest trios of his career, as can be heard on such pieces as Edition One's "My Romance," "I Loves You, Porgy," and "Beautiful Love." The close communication between the players is reminiscent of Evans' 1961 unit with Scott LaFaro and Paul Motian.

Bill Evans' death in 1980 ended the career of the most influential (along with McCoy Tyner) acoustic pianist in jazz of the previous 20 years. This second of two LPs features Evans, bassist Marc Johnson, and drummer Joe La Barbera closely interacting on four of the pianist's originals, Gary McFarland's "Gary's Theme" and Miles Davis' "Nardis." The music is sensitive and subtly exciting. Until the release of some later live sessions from 1980, this could be considered Bill Evans' final recording and serves as evidence that, rather than declining, he was showing a renewed vitality and enthusiasm in his last year.