Explorations is an album by jazz pianist Bill Evans that was originally released by Riverside Records in 1961. It was the second and final studio album Evans recorded with his classic trio featuring Scott LaFaro on bass and Paul Motian on drums.

Background

The album is a follow-up to the trio's first recording from two years earlier, Portrait in Jazz. The delay in making a new record was largely attributable to Evans's drug habit and resulting hepatitis, which led LaFaro to play and record in the meantime with Ornette Coleman. When Explorations was finally recorded, it was not under happy circumstances. As Evans biographer Keith Shadwick relates: "Tension ... simmered, particularly between Evans and the abrasive LaFaro, who made no secret of his disgust at Evans's addiction. LaFaro played on a borrowed instrument, while the pianist was quickly complaining of a headache, probably brought on by the strain in the studio." Nonetheless, the resulting album turned out to be an influential and enduring classic that "brilliantly illustrates [Evans's] innovative concept of 'simultaneous improvisation.'"

Repertoire

The album's eight original tracks include five jazz standards and three modern jazz compositions. Explorations opens with a cover of John Carisi's "Israel," which had first been recorded by Miles Davis on the second Birth of the Cool session. The trio also covers Davis's own "Nardis," which Evans had first recorded in 1958 with Cannonball Adderley. Ted Gioia notes that "you could trace Evans's entire career by studying his different interpretations of this composition over the years, documented by more than 30 recordings." Also included is the ballad-waltz "Elsa" composed by Evans's friend Earl Zindars. Peter Pettinger comments that "Evans began it with an air of mystery, like the unveiling of a secret, the gentle introduction melting imperceptibly into the tune." Evans would record it again just a few weeks later with Adderley for the album Know What I Mean? and then revisit it a few years later on Trio '65. A number of later live versions through 1975 are also in circulation, and Evans would record several other Zindars compositions through the years.

Pettinger notes that the treatment of Irving Berlin's classic song "How Deep Is the Ocean?" was "remarkable at the time for leaving the melody till the end." Unlike Evans's three previously released trio recordings, Explorations includes no originals by the pianist.

Reception

The album won the Billboard Jazz Critics Best Piano LP poll for 1961.

David Rickert of All About Jazz wrote, "Evans demands to be heard, seducing you with his indelibly emotional playing. ... The trio works magic here, breathing fresh air into standards such as 'How Deep Is the Ocean?' and 'Beautiful Love' and creating the illusion that these songs were written just so someone like Evans could play them. The highlight of the album is 'Elsa,' which is one of the most beautiful piano ballads on record."

In 2011, a new CD edition was released with two more bonus tracks, alternate takes of "How Deep Is the Ocean?" and "I Wish I Knew."

Track listing

Side one

  1. "Israel" (John Carisi) – 6:12
  2. "Haunted Heart" (Arthur Schwartz, Howard Dietz) – 3:28
  3. "Beautiful Love" [Take 2] (Wayne King, Egbert Van Alstyne, Victor Young) – 5:04
  4. "Elsa" (Earl Zindars) – 5:10

Side two

  1. "Nardis" (Miles Davis) – 5:49
  2. "How Deep Is the Ocean?" (Irving Berlin) – 3:31
  3. "I Wish I Knew" (Harry Warren, Mack Gordon) – 4:39
  4. "Sweet and Lovely" (Gus Arnheim, Jules LeMare, Harry Tobias) – 5:52

2011 CD bonus tracks

  1. <li value=9>"The Boy Next Door" (Hugh Martin, Ralph Blane)
  2. "Beautiful Love" [Take 1]
  3. "How Deep Is the Ocean?" [Take 2]
  4. "I Wish I Knew" [Take 2]

Personnel

  • Bill Evans - piano
  • Scott LaFaro - bass
  • Paul Motian - drums

Additional personnel

  • Orrin Keepnews - producer
  • Bill Stoddard - engineer
  • Jack Matthews - mastering engineer

References

Further reading

  • Jazz Discography entries for Bill Evans
  • Bill Evans Memorial Library discography