Evans, Bill: California Here I Come

Six years after the legendary live sets that yielded two of Bill Evans' best-loved albums for Riverside, Sunday At The Village Vanguard and Waltz for Debby, the influential jazz pianist returned to the same Manhattan jazz club for two nights in 1967, in a rare trio setting with Eddie Gómez on bass and Philly Joe Jones on drums. The recordings were compiled on the perhaps confusingly-titled double album California Here I Come in 1982, issued two years after Evans' passing.

Despite the perceived coastal mix-up, one thing is clear: Evans and his rhythm section were in fine form, delivering unbridled spirit, rhythmic fire and high-energy interplay with each other on readings of standards like "Round Midnight", "In a Sentimental Mood", "Stella by Starlight" and the then-new Bacharach / David standout "Alfie"

The Verve Vault series is all-analogue, cut from the original master tapes by Ryan K. Smith at Sterling Sound and pressed on 180-gram vinyl.

1. California Here I Come
2. Polka Dots and Moonbeams
3. Turn Out the Stars
4. Stella by Starlight
5. You're Gonna Hear from Me
6. In a Sentimental Mood
7. G Waltz
8. Green Dolphin Street
9. Gone with the Wind
10. If You Could See Me Now
11. Alfie
12. Very Early
13. Round Midnight
14. Emily
15. Wrap Your Troubles in Dreams